Evolutionary Development Biology

Catalog description

Instructional Method: Three hours lecture. Prerequisites: A grade of “C” or better in BIOL 111 and BIOL 112 ; or a grade of “C” or better in BIOL 229 , BIOL 132 , BIOL 231 , and BIOL 232 . An introduction to the basic concepts and ongoing research in the field of evolutionary developmental biology, or “evo-devo.” This course addresses basic questions of evolutionary developmental biology. How do new body parts evolve? How does change at a genetic level lead to change at a phenotypic level? How do experience and environment influence physiology and morphology? The course emphasizes current research on these and related questions. The course also provides an overview of current research techniques in the field including immunohistochemistry and gene knock-outs/ins.