BI 131 -- Intro to Evolution

Armor morphology variations in adult 3-spined sticklebacks - photo by Prof Bill Cresko, Center for Evolution and Ecology, UO [source: personal collection of the author]

Expanded course description

Evolutionary biology is often misunderstood. This course is designed to teach you how evolution happens and why it matters to you. In the process, we also discuss the nature of theories, facts, and the scientific method.
To make the course accessible to non-majors, the calculus and population genetics that are featured in upper-level courses have been eliminated. We do assume a basic knowledge of genetics, such as that acquired in high school biology, but we review this material to be sure everyone is "on the same page".

The course is divided into three modules. In the first third we cover human-caused evolution. For example, we show how humans are causing microbes to become antibiotic resistant, and how hunting and fishing are causing animals to become smaller. We will also discuss how the process of domesticating animals and plants (artificial selection) is analogous to how evolution works in nature (natural selection). In the second third, we go deeper into the mechanisms that cause evolution (mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, and migration). And in the final third, we cover human evolution, from the origins of humans to the consequences of disease for human evolution.

Scientific literacy is important for everyone. At some point in your life you will need to be able to understand many issues relating to science, ranging from the identification of new species of humans based on fossils to ecological problems to medical issues. For this reason, an important part of the course is the term project, which includes a short individually written paper and a group presentation. We will teach you how to read and interpret scientific information in general, as well as evolution in particular.

Group: SCI

Offered 200602.

Syllabus

Although syllabi can change from term to term, a syllabus may provide further information about typical instances of this course.