Entry requirements

150 credits complete courses including alt 1) 60 credit points in Biology and 30 credit points in Chemistry or Earth Science, alt 2) 90 credit points in Biology. In addition, knowledge corresponding to the course Evolutionary Processes

Learning outcomes

The course focuses on how the evolutionary processes and the evolutionary history is expressed in the different patterns observed in and among organisms, how these patterns can be detected and analysed, and conclusions drawn about their causes.

After the course, the student should be able to:

• explain the principles of, and apply methods for, detection and reconstruction of evolutionary patterns
• discuss, and relate evolutionary patterns at different hierarchical levels to evolutionary processes
• apply hypotheses about evolutionary patterns to explain, discuss and analyse evolutionary causalities
• discuss and communicate principles, problems and research findings in issues that touch evolutionary patterns
• relate and apply chosen (combinations of) evolutionary biological techniques and methods.

Content

The course comprises studies of evolutionary patterns manifested at different hierarchical levels. The course comprises the following part

• The biological hierarchies and the evolutionary scene

  o Evolutionary units, central concepts; variation and emergent properties, mutation, recombination; homology, homoplasy, complex systems.

• Anagenetic patterns

  o Functional genomics; quantitative properties, form and homology; non-equilibrium, allelic frequencies, coalescence.

• Phylogenetic patterns

  o Species concept -ontology and epistemology; phylogeny, phylogenetic analysis, substitution models, biological diversity and comparative methods.

  o Methodology: DNA sequencing, phylogenetic analysis

• Introgression patterns

  o Haploid, diploid and polyploid genomes, genome contents, genome organisation; horizontal gene transfer, gene duplication, hybridisation; metagenomics.

• Spatial and temporal patterns

  o Biogeography, host parasite associations; fossil, paleontological models, stratigraphy and diversification and extinctions, dating of phylogenies

Furthermore a project work in connection with research programmes at EBC is included. A seminar series elucidating evolutionary biology and evolutionary biological methods and applications.

Instruction

Lectures, laboratory practicals, seminars, literature assignments and project work. Participation in lab practicals, and project work is compulsory.

Assessment

Modules: Theory 7 credits; Laboratory session 4 credits; Project 4 credits

The theory part comprises a written examination and a seminar series that requires active participation and is followed up in discussion form. The laboratory sessions require active participation and are presented orally and in writing. The project work is presented orally and in a written report.