Evolution (ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

BIOL 4500--01 Fall 2023

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Discuss classic literature and historical figures on the subject of evolutionary biology

2. Explain the molecular and genetic basis for evolution.

3. Explain the mechanisms of evolution (natural selection, migration, genetic drift, mutation,
and nonrandom mating) and their relationship to genetics of populations and sources of variability

4. Apply Hardy-Weinberg calculations to various populations

5. Describe the mechanisms of speciation and origin of new species

6. Evaluate how the fossil record relates to current views of evolution.

7. Analyze evolutionary trends demonstrated by phylogeny.

8. Investigate the course of evolution in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, with an emphasis on hominin evolution.

9. Compose a variety of disciplinary-appropriate texts; for example, scientific essays evaluating various evolutionary topics,
scientific posters, scientific manuscripts, mock grant proposals, etc

Schedule (Subject to Change)

Week Dates Topic Readings Due Dates
1 Aug. 23

Aug. 25		 Intro. & Syllabus

What is Science?		 - Syllabus quiz-
due Aug. Jan 25

Discussion date selection
2 Aug. 28

Aug. 30

Sep. 1		 What is Evolution?

How to read a paper

How to read a paper pt. 2		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 1
 Questions about scientific papers
Due Aug. 30
3 Sep. 4

Sep. 6

Sep. 8		 LABOR DAY--NO CLASS

History of Evolutionary Ideas

Discussion: Pre-Darwin ideas		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 2

For Discussion:
Malik 2017		 Darwin Video Questions
Sep. 6

Selection of Project Subject
Sep. 8

Precis-Sep. 8
4 Sep. 11

Sept. 13

Sep. 15		 History of Evolution cont.

Relevance of Mendel/others

Discussion: Modern Synthesis		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 2

For Discussion:
Mayr 1993		 Precis Sep. 15
5 Sep. 18

Sep. 20

Sep. 2		 History/Modern Synthesis

Modern Synthesis

Discussion on Darwins Finches		 For Discussion:
Grant & Grant 2003		 Review/Reflection of Dobzhansky 1973
Due Sep 20

Precis-Sep 22
6 Sep. 25

Sept. 27

Sep. 29		 Mechanisms: Selection

Mechanisms: Selection pt. 2

Discussion: Trade-offs		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 3-7

For Discussion
Simmons and Emlen 2006		 Precis-Sep. 29
7 Oct. 2

Oct. 4

Oct. 6		 Mechanisms: Selection pt. 3

Mechanisms: Selection pt. 4

Discussion: Genetic Drift
 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 3-7

For Discussion:
Dobzhansky 1957		 Exam 1--Due Oct. 4

Precis-Oct. 6
8 Oct. 9

Oct. 11

Oct. 13		 Mechanisms: Genetic Drift

Hardy-Weinberg

Hardy-Weinberg Cont.		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 7

 Hardy-Weinberg Problems
due Oct. 13
9 Oct. 16

Oct. 18

Oct. 20		 What is a species?

What is a species?

FALL BREAK--NO CLASS		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 4 & 13
10 Oct. 23

Oct. 25

Oct. 27		 Speciation

Speciation cont.

Discussion: What is a species?		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 14

For Discussion:
Mayr 1996		 Precis Oct. 27
11 Oct. 30

Nov. 1

Nov. 3		 Speciation and Phylogenetics

Phylogenetics

Discussion: Why are there so many animals?		 For Discussion
Hutchinson 1959		 Which is the best species concept? due Nov. 1

Meet with Dr. Hjelmen by Nov. 3

Precis-Nov. 3
12 Nov. 6

Nov. 8

Nov. 10		 Phylogenetics Hands-on

Work on Project

Discussion: Skepticism to Santa Rosalia		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 15 & 16

For Discussion:
Felsenstein 1981		 Precis Nov. 10
13 Nov. 13

Nov. 15

Nov. 17		 Phylogenetics

Human Evolution

Review of Posters		 Poster Draft-Due Nov. 13

Peer Review of Poster-Due Nov. 17
- Nov. 20

Nov. 22

Nov. 24		 Thanksgiving BREAK--NO CLASS
14 Nov. 27

Nov. 29

Dec. 1		 Review of Posters

Human Evolution

Discussion: Reaffirmation of Santa Rosalia		 For Discussion:
Bush 1993		 Final Posters due by Nov. 27

Precis Dec. 1
15 Dec. 4

Dec. 6

Dec. 8		 Poster Presentations

Human Evolution

Discussion: Biological Classification		 For Discussion: Mayr 1981 Exam 2 Due Dec. 8

 Precis Dec. 8


Questions/Comments