Evolution (ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

BIOL 4500--01 Spring 2024

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. 8

Jan. 10

Jan. 12		 Intro. & Syllabus

What is Science?

What is Evolution (video recording)
NO IN PERSON CLASS		 For Class
Ch. 1		 Syllabus quiz-
due Jan 12

Discussion date selection-
due Jan. 12
2 Jan. 15

Jan. 17

Jan. 19		 MLK Jr. Day--NO CLASS

Darwin history
NO IN PERSON CLASS

How to read a paper pt. 1		 For Class:
Ch. 2
 Questions about scientific papers
Due Jan 17

Darwin Video questions
Due Jan 17
3 Jan. 22

Jan. 24

Jan. 26		 How to read a paper pt. 2

Relevance of Mendel/Others

Discussion: Pre-Darwin ideas		 For Class:
Ch. 6

For Discussion:
Malik 2017		 Selection of Project Subject
Sep. 8

Precis-Jan. 26
4 Jan. 29

Jan. 31

Feb. 2		 Mendel cont.

Modern Synthesis

Discussion: Modern Synthesis		 For Class:
Ch. 2

For Discussion:
Mayr 1993		 Precis Feb. 2
5 Feb. 5

Feb. 7

Feb. 9		 Mechanisms: Selection

Mechanisms: Selection

Discussion on Darwins Finches		 For Discussion:
Grant & Grant 2003		 Precis-Feb. 9
6 Feb. 12

Feb. 14

Feb. 16		 Mechanisms: Sexual Selection

Mechanisms: Sexual Selection

Discussion: Trade-offs		 For Class:
Ch. 16

For Discussion
Simmons and Emlen 2006		 Review/Reflection of Dobzhansky 1973
Due Feb. 14

Precis-Feb. 16
7 Feb. 19

Feb. 21

Feb. 23		 HOLIDAY--NO CLASS

Mechanisms: Drift/Gene Flow

Discussion: Genetic Drift
 For Class:


For Discussion:
Dobzhansky 1957		 Exam 1--Due Feb. 23

Precis-Feb. 23
8 Feb. 26

Feb. 28

Mar. 1		 Hardy-Weinberg

Hardy-Weinberg

Hardy-Weinberg Work Day		 For Class:
Ch. 7-8

 Outline and Annotated Bibliography
due Mar. 1
9 Mar. 4

Mar. 6

Mar. 8		 Hardy-Weinberg Work Day

What is a species?

Discussion: What is a species?		 For Class:
Ch. 14.1

For Discussion:
Mayr 1996		 Hardy-Weinberg Problems
Due Mar. 4

Precis Mar. 8
- Mar. 11

Mar. 13

Mar. 15		 SPRING BREAK--NO CLASS
10 Mar. 18

Mar. 20

Mar. 22		 What is a species?

What is a Species?

Discussion: Why are there so many animals?		 For Class:
Ch. 14.2-3

For Discussion
Hutchinson 1959		 Precis Mar. 22
11 Mar. 25

Mar. 27

Mar. 29		 Speciation

Speciation

Discussion: Skepticism to Santa Rosalia		 For Class:
Ch. 14.3-4

For Discussion
Felsenstein 1981		 Which is the best species concept? due Mar. 29

Meet with Dr. Hjelmen by Mar. 29

Precis-Mar. 29
12 Apr. 1

Apr. 3

Apr. 5		 Phylogenetics Hands-on

Phylogenetics Hands-on

Discussion: Reaffirmation of Santa Rosalia		 For Class:
Ch. 4 & 5

For Discussion:
Bush 1993		 Watch Phylogenetics lecture
Watch Phylogenetics Tutorial

Precis Apr. 5
13 Apr. 8

Apr. 10

Apr. 12		 Speciation and Human Evolution

Human Evolution

Review of Posters		 For Class:
Ch. 19
 Poster Draft-Due Apr. 8

Peer Review of Poster-Due Apr. 12
14 Apr. 15

Apr. 17

Apr. 19		 Review of Posters

Human Evolution

Discussion: Biological Classification		 For Class:
Ch. 19
For Discussion: Mayr 1981 		Final Posters due by Apr. 15

Precis Apr. 19
15 Apr. 22 Poster Presentations - Group Evaluation due Apr. 23

Exam 2 Due Apr. 24


Questions/Comments