BIO113 Evolutionary Biology

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Bachelor's Programme in Biology
• Biology, 1-year Programme

Teaching language

Norwegian

Recommended prerequisites

BIO113 Evolutionary Biology and BIO206 General Ecology

Course contents

The course provides a thorough introduction to modern evolutionary science, with an emphasis on population genetics, evolutionary history and evolutionary ecology.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• know the modern hypotheses for the beginning of life on Earth

• explain how species are formed and species boundaries are maintained

• know central principles of population genetics, and could use the Hardy Weinberg principle to determine whether a population is evolutionary equilibrium

• explain the processes and mechanisms that give rise to genetic variation and know the cause and effect of some mutation types

• explain theory of evolution, its historical background and information supporting this theory

• explain the mechanisms that affect populations evolution, including natural selection and genetic drift

• know the principles of phylogenetic analysis and be able to construct and interpret phylogenetic trees based on phenotypic traits and molecular data

• account for human evolutionary history, and how this background affects our life

Examination requirements

Passed mandatory multiple choice test. Attendance to all obigatoriske laboratory exercises must be approved and all assignments must be passed, see Canvas for more information.

Teaching methods

The teaching is given as lectures and seminar groups and mandatory laboratory exercises and computer exercises with written reports. A compulsory multiple-choice test will also be arranged during the semester, which must be passed.
The course has an expected scope of work of 270 hours.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Assessment methods and criteria

4-hour written exam under supervision, which includes a multiple-choice test. Graded assessment.

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course	Reduction of Credits
BIO105 – Genetics and Evolution	5