BIO4220 – Natural Selection and Adaptive Evolution

Course description

• Course content
• Learning outcome
• Admission
• Prerequisites

• Overlapping courses
• Teaching
• Examination
• Evaluation

Course content

The course gives an in-depth introduction to theoretical frameworks and empirical approaches in the study of natural selection and adaptations in living organisms. The focus of the course is on (1) the structure and logic of population genetic, quantitative genetic and phenotypic (optimality models and evolutionary game theory) modeling approaches, and how such models are used to address current problems in evolutionary biology and ecology; (2) experimental and comparative studies of natural selection and adaptations in the wild, using phenotypic and genetic data; and (3) the relationship between theoretical and empirical approaches in this field of research. The course includes practical training in the analysis of theoretical models, computer simulations and statistical analysis of population genetic and phenotypic data.

Learning outcome

The students shall achieve a general understanding of the processes and constraints involved in adaptive, phenotypic evolution; and specifically, to reach a sufficient level of knowledge and maturity to be able to critically read and understand original theoretical and empirical research articles in this field of research.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

PhD-students must register for BIO9220. Please contact the student administration office.

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

BIO2100 – General Ecology (continued), BIO2120 – Evolutionary Biology (discontinued), BIO2150 – Biostatistics and Study Design (discontinued), STK1000 – Introduction to Applied Statistics, MAT1110 – Calculus and Linear Algebra and/or MAT1120 – Linear Algebra.

Overlapping courses

10 credits overlap with BIO9220 – Natural Selection and Adaptive Evolution (discontinued)

Teaching

Lectures, group-sessions and computer lessons.

Examination

Approved lab-reports, final written exam. 3 hours.

This subject offer new examination in the beginning of the
subsequent term for candidates who withdraw during an ordinary examination or fail an ordinary examination. For general information about new examination, see http://www.uio.no/studier/admin/eksamen/sykdom-utsatt/mn/index.html and http://www.matnat.uio.no/english/studies/examination/repeat.html

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

• Explanation of grades and appeals

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.

Periodic evaluation Autumn 2012.