This course on evolution aims to help learners understand the principles and mechanisms of evolutionary biology. By the end of the course, students will be able to observe natural and artificial selection, analyze phylogenetic trees, study the history of science and biology, explore the diversity of life, examine adaptation through various methods, delve into sexual selection and life history theory, understand game theory and levels of selection, explore evolutionary constraints, population genetics, selection, mutation, migration, non-random mating, finite population size, stochasticity, multiple loci, molecular evolution, evo-devo, evolutionary psychology, and human evolution. The course uses video lectures to teach these concepts and is suitable for individuals interested in evolutionary biology and related fields.
Overview
Syllabus
Direct observation of natural selection.
Artificial selection as evidence for evolutionary biology.
Direct observation of natural selection.
Artificial selection as evidence for evolutionary biology.
Introduction to phylogenetics.
Using phylogenetic trees to understand biology.
How do we make and compare phylogenetic trees.
Examples of phylogenetic studies.
History of science and biology, antiquity to the scientific revolution (1543).
History of science and biology, Newton (1600s) to Lamarck (1800s).
History of science and biology, Darwin (1809-1882).
History of science and biology, Darwin (1882) to WWI (1918).
History of science and biology, WWI (1918) to WWII (1945).
History of science and biology, post-WWII (1945+).
Diversity of life (1), broad overview of all life.
Diversity of life (2), basal animals (porifera, ctenophora, and cnidaria).
Diversity of life (3), survey of protostomes.
Diversity of life (4), deuterostomes (echinodermata, chordata, and fish).
Diversity of life (5), amphibians (anura, caudata, and gymnophiona).
Diversity of life (6), reptilians (reptiles, dinosaurs, and birds).
Diversity of life (7), mammal orders (cetacea, artiodactyla, perissodactyla, carnivora).
Diversity of life (8), selected mammal orders (e.g., rodentia, dermoptera, primates, and xenartha).
Diversity of life (9), selected placental mammal orders, monotremes, and marsupials.
Introduction to studying adaptation..
Studying adaptation using the optimality and observation method..
Studying adaptation using the experimental method..
Studying adaptation using the comparative method..
Sexual selection (1), introduction..
Sexual selection (2), males 1..
Sexual selection (3), males 2..
Sexual selection (4), females 1..
Sexual selection (5), females 2..
Sexual selection (6), miscellaneous..
Life history theory (1), introduction..
Life history theory (4), optimal clutch size..
Life history theory (5), fitness conflicts..
Life history theory (6), inclusive fitness..
Game theory (1), prisoner's dilemma..
Game theory (2), the hawk:dove model..
Game theory (3), more complicated strategies and equilibria..
Game theory (4), evolution and economics..
Levels of selection (1), introduction..
Levels of selection (2), two examples..
Levels of selection (3), the evolution of sex..
Evolutionary constraints (1), introduction..
Evolutionary constraints (2), examples..
Population genetics (1), introduction..
Population genetics (2), Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium..
Selection (1), introduction..
Selection (2), an example and implication..
Selection (3), dominant advantageous alleles..
Selection (4), overdominance and equilibria..
Selection (5), perturbation analysis..
Mutation (1), introduction..
Mutation (2), an example and implication..
Mutation (3), genetic load..
Migration (1), introduction..
Migration (2), practical example..
Non-random mating (2), F calculations..
Non-random mating (1), introduction..
Non-random mating (3), the effects of inbreeding..
Finite population size (1), introduction..
Finite population size (2), effective population size..
Stochasticity (1), loss of alleles..
Stochasticity (2), fixation probability..
Stochasticity (3), selection versus drift..
Multiple loci (1), linkage disequilibrium..
Multiple loci (2), hitchhiking..
Multiple loci (3), multiple alleles..
Multiple loci (4), quantitative genetics..
Multiple loci (5), quantitative trait loci (QTL)..
Molecular evolution (1), introduction..
Molecular evolution (2), substitution rates..
Molecular evolution (3), types of mutations..
Evo-Devo (1), introduction..
Evo-Devo (2), comparative embryology..
Evo-Devo (3), allometric studies..
Evo-Devo (4), molecular approaches..
Evolutionary psychology (1), introduction..
Evolutionary psychology (2), survival..
Evolutionary psychology (3), reproduction..
Evolutionary psychology (4), offspring care..
Human evolution (1), Introduction..
Human evolution (2), overview of methods..
Human evolution (3), history of humanity..
Miscellaneous.
Bio 312 video 103: Course review..
Bio312 logical math argument for evolution.
Taught by
pleiotropy
