Spring 2026 · Utah Valley University
Evolution
BIOL 4500-01 · Dr. Carl Hjelmen · Spring 2026
Mon / Wed / Fri
Upper Division · 3 Credits
15 Weeks
Discussion-based
Course Schedule
Subject to change — check Canvas for updates
Discussion day
Exam / major deadline
No class / break
Reading due
Assignment due
1
M Jan. 5
W Jan. 7
F Jan. 9
Intro & Syllabus Overview
How to Read a Scientific Paper (pt. 1)
Science as a Way of Knowing (video)
Syllabus Quiz — due Jan. 9
Questions about Scientific Papers — due Jan. 7
Discussion Date Signup — due Jan. 9
Ch. 1
2
M Jan. 12
W Jan. 14
F Jan. 15
Early History of Evolution
Darwin & Natural Selection
Discussion: Darwin's Original Paper Discussion
Précis — due Jan. 16
Ch. 1–2; Darwin 1859 (for discussion)
3
M Jan. 19
W Jan. 21
F Jan. 23
MLK Jr. Day No Class
Mendel & Genetics Review
Discussion: Genetics & Evolution Discussion
Project Subject Selection — Jan. 23
Précis — due Jan. 23
Ch. 6; Malik 2017 (for discussion)
4
M Jan. 26
W Jan. 28
F Jan. 30
Mendel cont.
Modern Synthesis (video)
Discussion: Modern Synthesis Discussion
Précis — due Jan. 30
Ch. 2; Mayr 1993 (for discussion)
5
M Feb. 2
W Feb. 4
F Feb. 6
Mechanisms: Selection
Mechanisms: Selection cont.
Discussion: Darwin's Finches Discussion
Précis — due Feb. 6
Grant & Grant 2003 (for discussion)
6
M Feb. 9
W Feb. 11
F Feb. 13
Mechanisms: Sexual Selection
Mechanisms: Sexual Selection cont.
Discussion: Trade-Offs Discussion
Review/Reflection: Dobzhansky 1973 — due Feb. 11
Précis — due Feb. 13
Ch. 16; Simmons & Emlen 2006 (for discussion)
7
M Feb. 16
W Feb. 18
F Feb. 20
Holiday No Class
Mechanisms: Drift & Gene Flow
Discussion: Genetic Drift Discussion
📋 Exam 1 — due Feb. 20
Précis — due Feb. 20
Dobzhansky 1957 (for discussion)
8
M Feb. 23
W Feb. 25
F Feb. 27
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Hardy-Weinberg cont.
Hardy-Weinberg Work Day
Outline & Annotated Bibliography — due Feb. 27
Ch. 7–8
9
M Mar. 2
W Mar. 4
F Mar. 6
Hardy-Weinberg Work Day
What is a Species?
Discussion: What is a Species? Discussion
Hardy-Weinberg Problems — due Mar. 4
Précis — due Mar. 6
Ch. 14.1; Mayr 1996 (for discussion)
—
M Mar. 9
W Mar. 11
F Mar. 13
Spring Break — No Class
10
M Mar. 16
W Mar. 18
F Mar. 20
What is a Species? cont.
Species Concepts cont.
Discussion: Why Are There So Many Animals? Discussion
Précis — due Mar. 20
Ch. 14.2–3; Hutchinson 1959 (for discussion)
11
M Mar. 23
W Mar. 25
F Mar. 27
Speciation
Speciation cont.
Discussion: Skepticism to Santa Rosalia Discussion
Meet with Dr. Hjelmen — by Mar. 27
Précis — due Mar. 27
Ch. 14.3–4; Felsenstein 1981 (for discussion)
12
M Mar. 30
W Apr. 1
F Apr. 3
Phylogenetics Hands-On
Phylogenetics Hands-On cont.
Discussion: Reaffirmation of Santa Rosalia Discussion
Poster Draft — due Apr. 3
Précis — due Apr. 3
Ch. 4 & 5; Bush 1993 (for discussion)
Watch: Phylogenetics lecture & tutorial
13
M Apr. 6
W Apr. 8
F Apr. 10
Speciation & Human Evolution
Poster Review Workshop
Poster Review Workshop cont.
Peer Review of Poster — due Apr. 6
Ch. 19
14
M Apr. 13
W Apr. 15
F Apr. 17
Human Evolution
Human Evolution cont.
Poster Presentations Presentations
Final Posters — due Apr. 10
Ch. 19
15
M Apr. 20
Discussion: Biological Classification Discussion
📋 Exam 2 — due Apr. 22
Group Evaluation — due Apr. 21
Précis — due Apr. 20
Mayr 1981 (for discussion)