Spring 2023 - BISC 300 D100
Evolution (3)
Class Number: 1706
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
Burnaby
-
Instructor:
Eddie Pokrishevsky
edward_pokrishevsky@sfu.ca
Office: B9232
-
Prerequisites:
BISC 202 with a grade of C- or better. Recommended: BISC 204.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
The phenomenon of organic evolution, and the major forces leading to changes in allele frequencies over time, i.e. natural selection and genetic drift. Topics include adaptation, speciation, the origin of life, and the major evolutionary trends over geological time. Students with credit for BISC 400 may not take this course for further credit.
COURSE DETAILS:
1. Introduction to the mechanisms of evolutionary change
Darwin’s postulates
Natural selection
Mutation & Migration
Genetic drift
Neutral theory
Phylogenetics
2. Selection and Adaptation
Sex and recombination
Quantitative genetics
Sexual selection
Kin selection
Life history theory
3. History of life
The origin and early diversification of life
Genome evolution
Speciation
Human evolution
Grading
- Quizes X 4 15%
- Exams X 3 50%
- Weekly Activities 5%
- Tutorial participation 5%
- Podcast and textbook assignments 25%
NOTES:
No Final Exam
The quizzes and the weekly assignments are meant for you to keep up with the course and to review your lecture notes.
The midterms are designed to help you digest the textbook and lecture material, while the podcast and textbook assignments are exercises in science translation of primary literature. (You don't really understand something until you have to explain it!)
Mode of Teaching:
All synchronous (lectures, tutorials, midterms), no recording
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Evolutionary Analysis (Freeman and Herron), 2014, 5th Ed
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