Watch our BIOL 142 class interpretative dance of plant evolution!
BIOL 142 video from Tamra Mendelson on Vimeo.
BIOL 142 Foundations of Biology: Ecology and Evolution This course provides a broad overview of contemporary biological concepts. Major topics include fundamental concepts in ecology and evolution and emphasizes the fundamental interrelationship between these two fields of study. Concepts in evolution include a general description of the diversity of life, a review of Mendelian genetics, the causes and consequences of speciation, natural selection and genetic drift. Concepts in ecology will focus on ecological and evolutionary factors that govern population growth and regulation, species distributions, community and ecosystem ecology. This course is designed to prepare students for upper level biology core and elective courses. It is one of two introductory courses (BIOL 141 & 142) designed exclusively for BIOL, BIOC and BINF majors. Prerequisite: BIOL 141 and MATH 150 or equivalent. [4]
BIOL 481 Advanced Topics in Evolutionary Biology This advanced course analyzes principles of and current topics in evolutionary biology. The study of evolution informs every facet of biological inquiry and every level of biological organization, from molecules to ecosystems. Topics will vary across semesters according to current research and the interests of faculty. Representative topics may include the origin of species, natural and sexual selection, neutral theory, comparative methods, and evolutionary ecology. The course is a mix of lectures, problem-based learning, and student-led presentations of primary research literature. This course is repeatable for credit. Prerequisite: BIOL 142 and BIOL 302. [4]
BIOL 760 Graduate Seminar in Ecology and Evolution This seminar emphasizes critical examination of the literature in one or more current research areas in ecology and evolutionary biology. Possible topics include mechanisms of adaptation at different levels of organization, multi-variate interpretation of data from natural populations, evolution of life history patterns, population growth and regulation, inter-specific competition, predator-prey interactions, mutualisms and indirect effects in food webs, community structure and function and nutrient cycling and energy flow. Note: May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and passage of the population biology qualifying examination. [3]