BIO 279 Evolutionary Biology

A detailed analysis of the causes and consequences of biological evolution. The focus here is on understanding basic evolutionary mechanisms with plant and animal examples used to illustrate and clarify the fundamentals of the evolutionary process. Classical and recent contributions to our understanding of evolutionary biology are examined including population genetics theoretical models geographical variation speciation biogeography phylogeny reconstruction molecular evolution macroevolution and the evolution of Homo sapiens. Includes one three-hour laboratory per week.