Learning outcomes

This course will introduce students to key concepts of evolutionary biology. We will use both theoretical lectures and hands-on exercises to learn the basis of the theories and how to apply them to contemporary sciences.

Outline of topics:

The theory of evolution and Natural Selection
Genetics, Mutation and Inheritance
Populations and species concepts
Human evolution
Phylogenetics

Goals

Students in this course will learn the fundamental theories of evolutionary biology and their applications across organizational levels of biology: from prokaryotic cells to populations and species

Table of contents

  1. Evolutionary theory, natural selection, and it’s genetic basis
  2. The genetic basis of evolution
  3. Population genetics
  4. Introduction to phylogenetics
  5. Evolution and us: Bacterial and human evolution
  6. My hands date back to the Devonian period, the historical evolution of vertebrates.

Assessment method

Assessment in this course will be based on both participation in exercises during the course and the end-of-semester exam (written, in English)

Sources, references and any support material

Suggested textbooks:

1. Biologie by Raven et al (available in French or English)

ISBN:2807306152

 

 

2. Evolutionary Analysis by Herron & Freeman (in English).

ISBN: 9780321616678 (any edition is ok)



 

 

Language of instruction

English
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Biology Standard 0 2
Bachelor in Biology Standard 1 2