Hjelmen Lab @ UVU

Evolution (ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

BIOL 4500--01 Spring 2026

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

Week	Dates	Topic	Readings	Due Dates
1	Jan. 5 Jan. 7 Jan. 9	Intro. & Syllabus How to Read a Paper pt. 1 Science as a way of knowing video	For Class Ch. 1	Syllabus quiz- due Jan 9 Questions about scientific papers- due Jan. 7 Discussion Date Signup Due Jan 9
2	Jan. 12 Jan. 14 Jan. 15	What is Evolution recording Darwin History video How to Read a paper pt. 2	For Class: Ch. 2	Discussion date signup Due Jan 12 Darwin Video Questions due Jan. 16
3	Jan. 19 Jan. 21 Jan. 23	MLK Jr. Day NO IN PERSON CLASS Relevance of Mendel/Others Discussion: Pre-Darwin Ideas	For Class: Ch. 6 For Discussion: Malik 2017	Selection of Project Subject Jan. 23 Precis Jan. 23
4	Jan. 26 Jan. 28 Jan. 30	Mendel cont. Modern Synthesis video Discussion: Modern Synthesis	For Class: Ch. 2 For Discussion: Mayr 1993	Precis Jan. 30
5	Feb. 2 Feb. 4 Feb. 6	Mechanisms: Selection Mechanisms: Selection Discussion: Darwin's Finches	For Discussion Grant and Grant 2003	Precis-Feb. 6
6	Feb. 9 Feb. 11 Feb. 13	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. 11 Precis-Feb. 13
7	Feb. 16 Feb. 18 Feb. 20	HOLIDAY--NO CLASS Mechanisms: Drift/Gene Flow Discussion: Genetic Drift	For Class: For Discussion: Dobzhansky 1957	Exam 1--Due Feb. 20 Precis-Feb. 20
8	Feb. 23 Feb. 25 Feb. 27	Hardy-Weinberg Hardy-Weinberg Hardy-Weinberg Work Day	For Class: Ch. 7-8	Outline and Annotated Bibliography due Feb. 27
9	Mar. 2 Mar. 4 Mar. 6	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. 6
-	Mar. 9 Mar. 11 Mar. 13	SPRING BREAK--NO CLASS
10	Mar. 16 Mar. 18 Mar. 19	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. 20
11	Mar. 23 Mar. 25 Mar. 27	Speciation Speciation Discussion: Skepticism to Santa Rosalia	For Class: Ch. 14.3-4 For Discussion Felsenstein 1981	Meet with Dr. Hjelmen by Mar. 27 Precis-Mar. 27
12	Mar. 30 Apr. 1 Apr. 3	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. 3
13	Apr. 6 Apr. 8 Apr. 9	Speciation and Human Evolution Review of Posters Review of Posters	For Class: Ch. 19	Poster Draft-Due Apr. 3 Peer Review of Poster-Due Apr. 6
14	Apr. 13 Apr. 15 Apr. 17	Human Evolution Human Evolution Poster Presentations	For Class: Ch. 19	Final Posters due by Apr. 10
15	Apr. 21	Discussion: Biological Classification	For Discussion: Mayr 1981	Group Evaluation due Apr. 21 Exam 2 Due Apr. 22 Precis Due Apr. 20