Biology 3300 Evolution

General: Survey of evolutionary thought and understanding of evolutionary processes and mechanisms leading to speciation. The course focuses on basic population genetics, heritability, variation, natural selection, adaptation, and speciation.

Textbook: Freeman and Herron Evolutionary Analysis Third or Fourth Edition.

Tutorials: Tutorials are held every week and are designed to compliment the lecture component of the course.

Pre-requisites: Biology 2000 (Ecology); Biology 2200 (Genetics) OR Admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Environmental Science program

Biology 3605 Conservation Biology (previously Biology 4600)

General: This course introduces the principles of conservation biology with an emphasis on how population biology and genetics can be applied to conserving diversity at population, community and ecosystem levels of organization. The course is divided into two main sections: problems and solution. Threats to biological diversity, ranging from species introductions to habitat destruction will be discussed along with conservation solutions ranging from the design of protected areas through conservation legislation.

Textbook: Frankham, Ballou and Briscoe A Primer of Conservation Genetics, or Primack A Primer of Conservation Biology.

Pre-requisites: Biology 2200 (Genetics) OR Admission to the Post-Diploma B.Sc. in Environmental Science program

Recommended: Biology 3300 (Evolution)

Biology 4700 Molecular Ecology (previously Biology 4850, also offered as graduate course)

General: Molecular ecology is a relatively new and rapidly expanding field. It has greatly increased our understanding of evolutionary processes and is having a major impact in ecological studies. Molecular ecology uses genetic data (nucleic acids/proteins) to study populations and communities. Using molecular genetic techniques, we can study ecological interactions in more detail than was previously possible. Molecular ecology encompasses many aspects of science including molecular biology, ecology, evolution, behavioural ecology and genetics.

The course provides an introduction to how molecular markers are used to study biogeography, dispersal, mating systems, biodiversity, ecological interactions, speciation, and conservation genetics.

Textbook: John Avise Molecular Markers, Natural History, and Evolution Second Edition.

Pre-requisites: One list 1 and one list 3 course. It is assumed you have taken and passed Biology 2000 (Ecology) and Biology 2200 (Genetics)

Biology 5710/7710 Molecular Ecology and Evolution (graduate course)

General: Discussion of papers and recent topics in molecular ecology and evolution.