Evolution

Code:

BIOL3023

Acronym:

BIOL3023

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2023/2024 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	160	Official Study Plan	3	-	3	24	81
L:BIOINF	3	Official Study Plan	3	-	3	24	81

Teaching language

Portuguese and english

Objectives

The learning objective of this course in Evolution is to provide students with the basic knowledge of evolutionary biology so that they realize this is the leitmotif and unifier element of all biological sciences. In particular, it is expected that students become able to understand the evolutionary processes that led to the patterns of biological diversity as we presently know.

Learning outcomes and competences

As this course is exclusively composed of theoretical lectures, each session corresponds to a description of the current state-of-knowledge in a specific topic. Here, the most significant recent advances will be highlighted, as well as the issues that are still open and the current research on the field. In this way, students can cross the knowledge they acquired throughout the course, notably in ecology, genetics, physiology and ethology.

 

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

No prior knowledge required, though basic knowledges on Molecular Biology will be useful.

Program

1.Introduction and fundamental aspects of the theory of evolution. History of biological thought. Levels of biological organization. 2. History and diversity of life. A brief history of life on Earth. The eukaryotes. The Cambrian explosion and the diversification of the fundamental organization of body plans. The phylogenetic reconstruction. Evolution and classification. 3. Evolutionary processes. The basis of variation: mutation and recombination. Genetic variation in natural populations. Natural selection and adaptation. Measuring natural selection. Artificial selection and phenotypic evolution. Sexual selection. The species as a fundamental natural unit. The processes of speciation. Modes of reproduction and the evolution of sex. Co-evolution. The emergence of evolutionary novelties. 4. The major evolutionary patterns. Molecular evolution. Evolution and development. Macroevolution. The geography of evolution. Extinction. Evolution and society.

Mandatory literature

Barton Nicholas H.; Evolution. ISBN: 978-0-87969-684-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

As this course is exclusively composed of theoretical lectures, each session corresponds to a description of the current state-of-knowledge in a chosen domain. Here the most significant recent advances will be highlighted, as well as the issues that are still open and the current research on the field. In this way, students can cross the knowledge they acquired throughout the course, notably in ecology, genetics, physiology and ethology.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Genetics
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Developmental biology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Evolutionary biology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Estudo autónomo	33,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

n.a.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final exam (100%) is the only evaluation tool. Aproaval with more than 9.5 out of 20.

Examinations or Special Assignments

n.a.

Internship work/project

n.a

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

n.a.

Classification improvement

Written Exame

Observations

Contact teacher - Pedro Esteves