Theory of Systematics

Catalog description

Prerequisites: BIOL 1821 , BIOL 1831 and at least one course beyond the introductory level dealing with animal, plant, or microbial diversity ( BIOL 2482 , BIOL 2402 , BIOL 3102 , BIOL 4501, BIOL 4402 , or BIOL 4422 ) or consent of instructor. This course investigates the theory of classification, phylogenetic analysis, systematic biology, and their relation to systematic practice. The course covers goals and schools of systematics, characters and homology, analysis of molecular and morphological data and underlying assumptions, species concepts, classification, naming, and the connections between evolutionary biology and systematics. The course is appropriate for upper level undergraduates & graduate students in all disciplines (animal, plant, and microbial) as an introduction to systematic methods. Three hours of lecture per week.