Speciation

Catalog description

How do new species evolve? This question was at the heart of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, but was not directly addressed in this classic work. In this course students will explore the many scientific advances that have taken place since Darwin’s time in the field of Speciation. This course will cover phenotypic and genetic mechanisms of reproductive isolation, incipient speciation, and the age -old question of What is a species? Using a combination of Coyne & Orr's classic Speciation textbook and recent primary literature students will learn how natural and sexual selection, neutral evolutionary processes, and gene flow interact to generate the astounding biodiversity that surrounds us today.