Evolutionary Organismal Biology
Syllabus, Master's level, 1BG343
This course has been discontinued.
- Code
- 1BG343
- Education cycle
- Second cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Biology A1N, Earth Science A1N
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
- Finalised by
- The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 13 March 2008
- Responsible department
- Biology Education Centre
Entry requirements
120 credits including alternative 1) 40 credit points/60 credits biology and 20 credit points/30 credits chemistry or 20 credit points/30 credits earth sciences; alternative 2) 60 credit points/90 credits biology.
Learning outcomes
The overriding aim of the course is to illuminate the connections between molecular patterning, ontogeny and morphology in an evolutionary perspective. These connections are explored through detailed study of selected examples from invertebrates and vertebrates. After the course, the student should be able to:
- explain how genomic, developmental, morphological and paleontological data can be connected in a phylogenetic framework to illuminate macroevolutionary questions
- explain basic genomic and developmental concepts such as paralogy, orthology, gene expression, cell populations and cell fate choice
- account for the detailed morphological structure and the evolution of the examples that are featured in the course.
Content
The course comprises examples from invertebrates and vertebrates, as well as overviews of underlying common principles. Topics include the basic bilaterian body plan and patterning, the evolution of the head, and the origin and evolution of paired appendages in vertebrates and arthropods. We address these topics from genomic, developmental, morphological and palaeontological perspectives within a phylogenetic framework where issues such as character polarity are taken into consideration.
Instruction
The teaching is given in the form of lectures, seminars and laboratory sessions.
Assessment
The theoretical course is examined at a written examination focusing on fundamental concepts and theories (10 credits).
Attendance and active participation in seminars (2 credits) and laboratory sessions, and satisfactory completion of lab reports (3 credits), are also mandatory.