Biology 450 - Evolution Lecture Syllabus

 Week

 Lecture Topic

 Chapter

 Exams
  Introduction    
 01/08

Evolution Before Darwin

Darwin and the Neo-Darwinian Synthesis

 

3
 
 01/15

Evidence of Evolution

An Evolutionary Biologist's World View

 
  Mechanisms of Evolutionary Change    
 01/22

The Origin of New Genes and Alleles

Measuring Genetic Variation

4

4
 
 01/29 Theoretical Population Genetics

5
 
 02/05 Disequilibrium Population Genetics

6
 
 02/12 Selection and Fitness

5
 Exam
 02/19 Tower of Babel discussion and questions    
 02/26

Linkage Equilibrium and Disequilibrium

Quantitative Genetics

7

7
 
 03/05 Spring Recess    
 03/12 Molecular Evolution

 18
 
  Evolution and Diversity    
 03/19 Species Concepts and Speciation

 12
 Exam
 03/26

Reconstruction of Phylogeny

Coevolutionary Relationships

13

13
 
  The Nature of Adaptation    
 04/02

The Adaptive Significance of Sex

Sexual Selection Theory

7

9
 
  Paleobiology and Macroevolution    
 04/09

Precambrian Evolution

Mode and Tempo of Evolution

14

15
 
 04/16 Evolution and Development

17
 
 04/23 Extinction

15
 
 04/26 8:00 a.m., KC 303    Exam