BIOL404 EVOLUTION
| Course Code: | 2380404 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 6.0 |
| Department: | Biology |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Prof.Dr. MEHMET SOMEL |
| Offered Semester: | Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, the students will:
1. Understand current models of short- and long-term evolutionary change,
2. Evaluate biological problems through the lens of evolution,
3. Understand research methods used to study the evolutionary past and the mechanisms of evolution.
Course Content
A course on the basic concepts of evolution of organisms; theory of natural selection, cosmic evolution and origin of life. The evidence for evolution (from biogeography, taxonomy, comparative anatomy, embryology, biochemistry and palaeontology), the mechanism of evolution (mutation, migration, natural selection, genetic drift) and the speciation process and products of evolution (plants and animals) are the main titles to be covered.
Course Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- describe microevolutionary mechanisms,
- explain basic evolutionary processes, including genetic drift and various forms of selection,
- describe and use population genetic models, including simulations,
- evaluate and draw phylogenetic trees,
- describe the major models of speciation,
- evaluate molecular and phenotypic evidence for natural selection,
- describe evolutionary dynamics of sexual conflict and genome evolution,
- describe the major transitions in the history of Life, including human evolution.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | Perform basic laboratory and field techniques/approaches used in various branches of biology. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | Understand and apply principles of laboratory and field safety. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | Understand the inner workings of the scientific processes, think critically, and frame questions using experimental and theoretical approaches in biology. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | Proficiency in communicating issues in both English and Turkish. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | Read, and understand scientific communications from primary literature in biology. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | Identify and explain issues in biological sciences. | ✔ | |||
| 7 | Be ready to take new theoretical and technological challenges by recognizing the value and act upon the need for lifelong learning. | ✔ | |||
| 8 | Work as an individual, as well as a team member, and assume leadship when needed. | ✔ | |||
| 9 | Follow the rules of scientific ethics within their careers and professions. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution