BIO 0143 - Evolutionary Biology w/Lab

Course Description

(Cross-listed as ENV 143). Examines hypotheses for patterns of biological diversity and for the apparent good fit of organisms to the environment. Topics include the genetic and developmental basis of evolutionary change, processes at the population level, the theory of evolution by natural selection, concepts of fitness and adaptation, rates and long-term trends in evolution, extinction, biogeographical patterns, determinants of conflict and cooperation, the evolution of sex and life history, modes of speciation, and coevolutionary dynamics. The laboratory will familiarize students with evolutionary genetics methods. Topics include genotype-phenotype relationships, DNA sequence assembly and alignment, gene and gene pathway function, estimation of population demography and phylogenetic relationships, and hypothesis testing. (Group A, C, or Q.) Recommendations: BIO 13 and 14, or equivalent.