Entry requirements

150 credits completed courses including alternative 1) 60 credits biology and 30 credits chemistry or 30 credits earth sciences ; alternative 2) 90 credits biology, alternative 3) 60 credits Geosciences including Principles of Palaebiology 10 credits.

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.