Evolution (ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

BIOL 4500--01 Spring 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 Jan. 9

Jan. 11

Jan. 13		 Intro. & Syllabus

What is Science?

Watch Darwin Video 		- Syllabus quiz-
due Fri. Jan 13

Discussion date selection
2 Jan. 16

Jan. 18

Jan. 20		 MLK Jr Day--NO CLASS

What is Evolution?

How to read a scientific paper
Formation of annotated bibliography		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 1
 Darwin Video questions
Jan. 18

Questions about scientific papers
Due Jan. 20
3 Jan. 23

Jan. 25

Jan. 27		 Continuation of Darwin et al.

Relevance of Mendel and Others

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

For Discussion:
Malik 2017		 Selection of Project Subject
Jan. 27

Precis-Jan 27
4 Jan. 30

Feb. 1

Feb. 3		 Overview of genetics and origins of variation

Mutations cont.

Discussion: Evolutionary Synthesis		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 2

For Discussion:
Mayr 1993		 Precis Feb 3
5 Feb. 6

Feb. 8

Feb. 19		 Evidence for Evolution

Mechanisms of Evolution: Selection

Darwin Day Observed: Discussion on Darwins Finches		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 3 & 4

For Discussion:
Grant & Grant 2003		 Review/Reflection of Dobzhansky 1973
Due Feb 8

Precis-Feb 10
6 Feb. 13

Feb. 15

Feb. 17		 Mechanisms of Evolution: Selection pt. 2

Mechanisms of Evolution: Selection pt. 3

Discussion: Evolutionary Trade-offs		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 5 & 6

For Discussion
Simmons and Emlen 2006		 Exam 1-Feb 15

Precis-Feb 17
7 Feb. 20

Feb. 22

Feb. 24		 Washington and Lincoln Day--NO CLASS


Mechanisms of Evolution: Genetic Drift

Discussion: Genetic Drift
 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 7

For Discussion:
Dobzhansky 1957		 Outline and Annotated Bibliography
due Feb 24

Precis-Feb 24
8 Feb. 27

Mar. 1

Mar. 3		 Mechanisms of Evolution: Gene Flow

Hardy-Weinberg

Hardy-Weinberg Cont.		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 5

 Hardy-Weinberg Problems
due Mar. 3
- Mar. 6

Mar. 8

Mar. 10		 SPRING BREAK--NO CLASS
9 Mar. 13

Mar. 15

Mar. 17		 Micro vs. Macroevolution

What is a species?

Discussion: What is a species?		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 4 & 13

For Discussion
Mayr 1996		 Precis-Mar. 17
10 Mar. 20

Mar. 22

Mar. 24		 Speciation

Speciation cont.

Discussion: Why are there so many animals?		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 14

For Discussion:
Hutchinson 1959		 Which Species Concept is the best?
Due Mar. 22

Precis Mar. 24
11 Mar. 27

Mar. 29

Mar. 31		 Systematics

Phylogenetics

Discussion: Biological Classification		 For Class:
Ridley Ch. 15 & 16

For Discussion
Mayr 1981		 Meet with Dr. Hjelmen by 3-30

Precis-Mar. 31
12 Apr. 3

Apr. 5

Apr. 7		 Phylogenetics Hands-on

Work on Project

Work on Project		 Exam 2 due April 5
13 Apr. 10

Apr. 12

Apr. 14		 Human Evolution

Human Evolution

Human Evolution		 Poster Draft-Due April 10

Peer Review of Poster-Due Apr 14
14 Apr. 17

Apr. 19

Apr. 21		 Classroom Overview of Posters

Classroom Overview of Posters

TOPIC OF CHOICE
15 Apr. 24

Apr. 26		 TOPIC OF CHOICE

PRESENT POSTER FINAL		 - -


Questions/Comments