Evolution and Developmental Biology.

Catalog description

How do butterfly wings get their spots and stripes? Why do dolphins and humans have the same bones in their limbs? How did Darwin’s finches quickly evolve so many different beak shapes? These are all questions that require an understanding of Evolutionary Developmental Biology (EvoDevo) to answer. EvoDevo explores the intersection of Evolution, Developmental Biology, and Genetics. This course covers introductory topics in those three fields, theoretical underpinnings of EvoDevo, as well as case studies. This course uses phylogenetic and developmental genetics frameworks to examine topics that include body-plans and patterning, genetic and morphological complexity, and novel features. Prerequisites: Graduate standing.