Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
BB20040: Concepts in evolution |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Intermediate |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| EX 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Before taking this unit you must take BB10012 |
| Description:
| Aims: To develop an understanding of the nature of evolution; the history of evolutionary thought from Darwin to the present day; evolutionary change through geological time; the evolution of higher taxa; ecological genetics; population genetics; population dynamics and conservation; behavioural ecology and optimisation theory. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * utilise concepts from evolutionary theory, optimisation theory, behavioural ecology and ecological genetics in understanding ecological and evolutionary issues; * discuss key concepts in macroevolution and the evolution of modern biodiversity; * demonstrate an understanding of the role of biological and physical factors in shaping macroevolutionary patterns; * describe and explain the key research methods in animal behaviour. Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Laboratory skills T/F, Information technology T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F. Content: The maintenance of sex and the evolution of asexual reproduction; kin selection and reciprocal altruism; units of selection; recent developments in evolutionary theory, including the neutral theory and genetic conflict; natural selection in action, including the evolution of insecticide resistance, melanism and mimicry, and bacterial virulence; foraging behaviour; social behaviour; predation and competition; migration; sexual selection; mating strategies and parental care; human behaviour; concepts of macroevolutionary change, including punctuated equilibrium versus phyletic gradualism, patterns of diversity through time, modern biodiversity, mass extinctions, adaptive radiations, the origins of higher taxa, and the Red Queen hypothesis. |