EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY – 30305
OVERVIEW:
Every area of biological investigation, from the study of biodiversity and consequences of environmental change to the origin and diversification of protein coding genes and variation in developmental processes, is informed by the principles of evolutionary biology. The field of evolutionary biology is one of the most dynamic areas in biology with application to understanding disease dynamics, human biology, agriculture, and the conservation of biological diversity. The study of evolution encompasses both the description and analysis of historical patterns in the biological diversity of life as well as the conceptual and mathematical frameworks that describes the processes causing evolutionary change through time. In this course, we develop the basic mathematical frameworks for population and quantitative genetics and examine evolution at the molecular and phenotypic levels. Throughout the course we draw extensively from the primary literature to illustrate the amazing diversity of life around us and the evolutionary processes that have shaped this diversity over hundreds of millions of years.
Learning Goals –
• Gain a working knowledge of the major evolutionary transitions in the history of life.
• Master the basic mathematical frameworks for population and quantitative genetics.
• Understand the application of evolutionary theory to a variety of areas including molecular evolution, speciation, sexual selection, and human evolution
Fall Semester 2017
LECTURE:
MWF 11:30-12:20, 283 Galvin Life Science Center
INSTRUCTOR:
Michael E. Pfrender, Office: 109B Galvin Life Science Center, e-mail: michael.pfrender.1@nd.edu, Ph: 631-0591
Office Hours: By appointment. The best way to get in touch with me is via email. Anytime you have a question feel free to email. If you would like to meet, stop by my office, or send me an email with a couple of suggested times that you have free and we can set up an appointment.
PREREQUISITES:
Genetics or equivalent
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK:
Evolution: Making Sense of Life, Second Edition,
Carl Zimmer & Douglas J. Emlen; published 2016 by Roberts and Company Publishers (ISBN 978-1-936221-55-4);
Textbook web site: http://www.roberts-publishers.com/authors/emlen-douglas-j/evolution-making-sense-of-life.html
GRADING:
Problem Sets and Writing Assignments, ~100 pts.
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EXAMS |
DATE |
POINTS |
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1st Exam |
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
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100 pts. |
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2nd Exam |
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 |
100 pts. |
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FINAL EXAM |
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13
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100 pts. |
Exam questions will be
based on lecture material and material from assigned readings. Your final grade
in the course will be determined by the sum of your points on the midterm
exams, the final, problem sets and writing assignments.
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
& PROBLEM SETS
During the semester we will have short writing assignments and problem sets. Writing assignments are meant to develop a familiarity with reading and interpreting papers from the primary literature. The problem sets are meant to enhance your understanding of the mathematical aspects of the class, and provide practice for the analytical questions on exams.
CLASSROOM RECORDING
This course will use an automated classroom recording system. This system allows us to record and distribute lectures to you in a secure environment. You can watch these recordings on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. The recordings can be accessed within Sakai. Look for the "Panopto" tool on the left-hand side of the course in Sakai.
Because we will be recording in the classroom, your questions and comments may be recorded. If you have any concerns about your voice or image being recorded, please speak to me to determine an alternative means of participating. Except for faculty and staff that require access to support the system, no content will be shared with individuals outside of your course without your permission.
These recordings are jointly copyrighted by the University of Notre Dame and your instructor. Posting them to other websites (including YouTube, Facebook, SnapChat, etc.) or elsewhere without express, written permission may result in disciplinary action and possible civil prosecution.
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
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WEEK 1: |
READINGS
IN Z & E
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OTHER ASSIGNED READINGS
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Welcome
Back! Hope you had a great break! |
Zimmer & Emlen Table of Contents | Z&E - Answers to Practice Questions | |
August 23
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Introduction and Relevance of
Evolution |
Bowler, P. J., 2009. Darwin's originality. Science 323:223-226. |
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August 25
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History and Evidence for Evolution |
Padian, K., 2008. Darwin's enduring legacy. Nature 451:632-634. | |
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WEEK 2: |
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August 28
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Origin of Variation |
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August 30 |
Genetics in Mendelian Populations
I
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Chapter 6 - all sections | |
September 1 |
" |
" | |
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WEEK 3: |
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September 4
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Genetics in Mendelian Populations II |
" | |
September 6
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" |
" | |
September 8
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Genetics in Mendelian Populations III |
" | |
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WEEK 4: |
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September 11
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" |
" | |
September 13
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Genetics in Mendelian Populations
IV
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September 15
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Drift, Population Subdivision & Inbreeding |
" | |
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WEEK 5: |
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September 18
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"
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September 20
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Primordial Soup |
Chapter 3 - sections 3.4 - 3.7 | |
September 22
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WEEK 6: |
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September 25
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Origin of Complex Life Forms (PROBLEM SET #2 DUE) | Chapter 3 - sections 3.8 - 3.10; Chapter 14 -section 14.6 | |
September 27
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September 29
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" | |
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WEEK 7: |
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October 2
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Chapter 13 - The Origin of species | |
October 4
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" | |
October 6
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" & section 14.5 - Adaptive Radiations | |
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WEEK 8: |
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October 9
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Chapter 7 - Beyond Alleles | |
October 11
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" | |
October 13
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Quantitative Genetics III -Consequences of Small Population |
Chapter 8 - Natural Selection - sec. 8.2 & 8.4 | |
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WEEK 9: |
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October 16
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Fall
Break |
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October 18
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Fall
Break |
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October 20
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Fall
Break |
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WEEK 10: |
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October 23
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Sexual Selection I
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Chapter 11 - Sex: Causes and Consequences - sections 11.2-11.6 | |
October 25
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Sexual Selection II
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" | |
October 27
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Evolutionary Advantages of Sex (PROBLEM SET #3 DUE) |
Section 11.1 | |
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WEEK 11: |
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October 30
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Evolution of Senescence and Life-history Traits |
Chapter 12 - sections 12.5 - 12.6, Chapter 18 - section 18.8 | |
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November 1
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November 3
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Macroevolution
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Chapter 14 - Box 14.1 (Punctuated Equilibrium) | |
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WEEK 12: |
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November 6
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Extinction
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Chapter 14 - Macroevolution - section 14.4, 14.7-14.9 | |
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November 8
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2nd EXAM |
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November 10
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Kin Selection & Eusociality
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Chapter 16 - Brains and Behavior- sections 16.1, 16.6 -16.9 | |
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WEEK 13: |
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November 13
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Molecular Evolution I |
Chapter 9 - THe History in Our Genes- section 9.6 - 9.7 | |
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November 15
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Molecular Evolution II |
" | |
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November 17
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Human Evolution I |
Chapter 9 - The History in Our Genes- section 9.1 - 9.2 Chapter 17 - Human Evolution- all of it is interesting and worth a careful read. |
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WEEK 14: |
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November 20
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" | |
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November 22
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No
class – Thanksgiving Break |
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November 24
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No
class - Thanksgiving Break |
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WEEK 15: |
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November 27
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Human Evolution III
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" | |
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November 29
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Human Evolution IV
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" | |
December 1
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Variation in Modern Human Populations
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" | |
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WEEK 16: |
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December 4 |
Genomics
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December 6
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Review
/ Last Day of Classes |
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FINAL EXAM |
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 13th
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4:15 –
6:15 PM |
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