Biology 4801: Evolutionary Biology – Fall 2004

Lecture Schedule and Links to Objectives

Date Topic Chapter Reading
  Part I: The Theory of Evolution  
7 Sept Introduction. Evolution and Science  
9 Sept Evidence for Evolution Chapter 2
14 Sept Evidence for Evolution  
16 Sept The Creationism Debate Chapter 3 (95 - 103)
21 Sept Contingency Day  
23 Sept Exam I  
  Part II: Selection  
28 Sept Natural Selection Chapter 3
30 Sept Studying Adaptation Chapter 9
5 Oct Sexual Selection Chapter 10
7 Oct Sexual Selection  
12 Oct Kin Selection Chapter 11
14 Oct Contingency Day  
19 Oct Exam II  
  Part III: Genetic Mechanisms of Evolutionary Change  
21 Oct Mutation and Variation Chapter 4
26 Oct Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Chapter 5
28 Oct Effect of Natural Selection on Allele Frequency Chapter 5
2 Nov

Effect of Genetic Drift on Allele Frequency

Computer simulation of genetic drift here

Chapter 6
4 Nov Other Factors Influencing Allele Frequency Chapters 5 and 6
9 Nov Conservation Genetics Chapter 6
11 Nov Exam III  
  Part IV: Macroevolution  
16 Nov

Phylogenetics

Chapter 14
18 Nov Phylogenetics  
23 Nov Speciation Chapter 15
25 Nov Thanksgiving  
30 Nov Speciation  

2 Dec

Origin of Life Chapter 16
7 Dec Cambrian Explosion and Beyond Chapter 17
9 Dec Human Evolution Chapter 19
14 Dec Contingency Day  
16 Dec Exam IV  

   

Individuals with any disability, either temporary or permanent, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the quarter.  Adaptation of methods, materials, and/or testing may be modified as required to provide for equitable participation.

 

The University of Minnesota is committed to the practice that all of its students shall have equal educational opportunities.  The University expressly forbids discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran’s status, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, or marital status.  If you believe that your biology instructor has not followed this policy, you are invited to bring this to the attention of the Biology Department Head (221 Life Science, 726-6262) or to the Associate Dean of the College of Science and Engineering (140 Engineering, 726-7585).  Your conference will be kept confidential.