BIOL 3010      Biological Evolution



Credits:   3.0

Taught by:   Curt Walker

Semesters offered:   Fall

Formats:   Classroom

Prerequisites:   BIOL 1610/1615, BIOL 2030

Course Description:

This lecture course will begin by exploring the meaning of evolution, the history of evolutionary thought, and current debate about evolution and religion. We will then delve into biological classification and other background concepts useful for evolutionary analysis. The next section covers the history of life on Earth, followed by population genetics concepts necessary for understanding evolutionary changes in populations. A thorough examination of natural selection and speciation comes next, and finally the course concludes by examining several of the most complex topics currently under study by evolutionary biologists: coevolution, developmental evolution, genome evolution, and macroevolution. A second visit to the topic of evolution and religion will summarize the course.

Course Objectives:

All students registered for the course will be assumed to have great familiarity with the basic principles of chemistry and biology. This course is designed to prepare students for careers in many fields of biology. Evolution is a fascinating but complex subject; students should be aware that the course will be very rigorous, demanding large amounts of time and concentration. After successful completion of this course, the student will be able to, through testing, written or oral reports:

... demonstrate a thorough understanding of the meaning of evolution, including evidence of evolution in nature,

... demonstrate detailed understanding of the mechanisms of evolutionary change, including elementary population genetic analysis,

... demonstrate a thorough understanding of the evolution of major groups of life forms,

... demonstrate detailed knowledge of natural selection and speciation, and their importance in establishing the life forms on our planet.

Required Materials
Evolution, 1st ed, by Futuyma.