Quantitative Ecology and Evolution

Catalog description

Students will use an interactive e-text application to explore the changing natural world through modeling and simulation in a discovery-based classroom environment. Throughout every unit, the relationship among evolution, ecology and the environment are woven together using current research from primary literature. Evolution is explored in many relevant contexts, including artificial and natural selection of GMOs and of antibiotic resistance. In a module covering the evolution of decision making, students will learn quantitative approaches to game theory, optimal foraging and sexual selection. An understanding of population ecology and evolution is gained as students manipulate models to understand competition and predator-prey dynamics with real case studies of both microbes and endangered species. Climate change is discussed through the use of mathematical models and current and historical data.