Oct 11, 2024  
2024-2025 Shepherd University Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Shepherd University Catalog
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BIOL 501 - Evolution

(3cr) Evolution processes underpin all biological phenomena and thus represent fundamental and synthetic ideas in all fields. Understanding evolution and how it impacts everything from our health to biotechnology is essential to all scholars. Lecture topics include patterns of macroevolution; mechanisms of microevolution; the nature of adaptation; units and levels of selection; how we measure natural selection; limits to selection; quantitative genetics; the evolution of behavior; and applications of evolution to conservation and medicine. In the laboratory, we will interpret the outcomes of evolution through computation and analysis of phylogeneies, genomes, and population genetic structure. Students will be expected to complete an independent research project chosen with guidance from the instructor.



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