BIOL1917

Life originated over four billion years ago. Since that time, evolution has shaped living systems, generating tremendous biological diversity. Experimental evolution is a dynamic approach to investigating life, examining how and why biological systems change over evolutionary time. We will focus on how experimental evolution is done, what we have already learned, and the bright future for new research. Topics will include adaptive radiation, infectious diseases, the genetic basis of phenotypes, speciation, and the evolution of multicellularity. Readings will be primary literature and review articles, to be discussed every meeting. Toward the end of the semester, students will propose their own experimental evolution study based upon the readings, class discussions, and meetings with faculty.

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