Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - BISC 441 D100

Evolution of Health and Disease (3)

Class Number: 2006

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 10, 2023: Tue, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 202 or 204, both with a minimum grade of C-. Recommended: BISC 300.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Application of the principles and theories of evolution and ecology to understanding the study of health and disease, with an emphasis on humans. Topics to be covered include the evolutionary ecology of infectious disease, the immune system, cancer, senescence, fetal programming, and the genetic/environmental bases of disease.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Website: CANVAS

In this course you will learn how to apply evolutionary principles to the study of human health issues. You will learn the medically-relevant fundamentals from evolutionary theory, genetics, evolutionary ecology, and life history theory. Then you will apply this theory to the full spectrum of topics related to human health, including fetal development and fetal programming, reproductive health, genomic conflicts, diet, infectious disease, genetic and environmental disease predisposition, cancer, the microbiome, heart disease, senescence, mental illness, and other issues.  

Grading

  • Exams 100%

NOTES:

Mode of Teaching

Lecture: synchronous (and will be recorded) 

Exam(s): synchronous; dates TBA 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Available on CANVAS 


RECOMMENDED READING:

Evolutionary Medicine by S. C. Stearns and R. Medzhitov, 2016


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.