Evolution

Code:

BIOL3023

Acronym:

BIOL3023

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2025/2026 - 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	142	Official Study Plan	3	-	3	24	81
L:BIOINF	22	Official Study Plan	3	-	3	24	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

- Explain the Theory of Evolution and associate its fundamental pillars with the history of evolutionary thought.
- Identify and interpret evidence for evolution.
- Interpret current knowledge about Earth's history and the origin and diversification of life, and contrast the processes of diversification and extinction.
- Describe the evolution of various levels of biological organization.
- Contrast microevolution and macroevolution, and identify and explain macroevolutionary theories.
- Explain the evolution of sex.
- Describe the historical process of the discovery of DNA as the unit of heredity.
- Describe the structure of DNA and explain the process of heredity.
- Explain the processes of generating genetic variation and describe laboratory techniques for detecting variation.
- Explain and demonstrate processes for quantifying genetic variation and its maintenance in populations across generations (Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium). - Identify, explain, and demonstrate the evolutionary forces that cause changes in the genetic composition of populations over time.
- List and define the various species concepts and explain the process of species formation and isolation mechanisms.
- Explain the process of speciation with gene flow and its consequences.
- Interpret phylogenies and relate them to the process of biological classification.
- Explain and contrast neutral and selectionist theories and their implications.
- Explain the Red Queen Hypothesis.
- Interpret the evolutionary processes of viruses and the relationship of this knowledge to society.
- Associate artificial selection processes with domestication and identify their consequences on phenotypes and genetic variation.
- Identify technological progress in genomic sequencing and explain the impact of genomics on understanding evolutionary processes and guiding species conservation.

Learning outcomes and competences

- Integrate knowledge of evolutionary biology as the guiding thread of all biological sciences.
- Relate evolutionary processes to the diversity of life on Earth and explain the mechanisms underlying the origin and modification of this diversity.
- Describe the state of the art in evolutionary biology within the context of the history of the discipline and technological progress.
- Relate mechanisms of molecular genetics, heredity, biological characteristics, and evolution.
- Relate knowledge acquired throughout the course, especially in ecology, genetics, physiology, or ethology.
- Recognize and explain the importance of evolutionary biology in diverse areas of society.

Working method

Presencial

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

No formal prerequisites. However, knowledge of molecular biology will be useful.

Program

1. Introduction and fundamental aspects of the Theory of Evolution. Acceptance of Evolution. History of biological and evolutionary thought. Evidence for Evolution.
2. History and diversification of life. The history of Earth. Origin of life. Levels of biological organization. Evolution of the eukaryotic cell and multicellularity. Cambrian explosion. Mass extinctions.
3. Micro- and macroevolution. Theories of phyletic gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Homology. Analogy. Evolutionary radiation. The evolution of sex.
4. The molecular basis of evolution. Discovery of DNA and its structure. The structure of genomes and the basis of heredity. The generation of variation: mutation and recombination. Types of mutation. Gene duplication. Chromosomal alterations. Genetic variation in natural populations. Detection of genetic variation, from protein electrophoresis to genome analysis.
5. Evolutionary processes. Population genetics and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Genetic drift, founder effect, and bottleneck effect. Inbreeding. Non-random mating.
6. Mutation, migration, and natural selection. Mutation in population genetics. Neutral theory. Population structure and migration. Natural selection. Adaptation. Types of natural selection. Measurement and detection of natural selection.
7. Speciation. Species as fundamental natural units. Species concepts. Species formation. Population isolation. The accumulation of changes. Mechanisms of reproductive isolation. Reproductive isolation and hybridization. Speciation by reinforcement and speciation with gene flow.
8. Classification and evolution. Phylogeny. Rates of evolution. Neutral and selectionist theories. Molecular clocks. Pseudogenes. Synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions. Variation in the rate of evolution among lineages.
9. Coevolution. Red queen hypothesis. Viruses. Evolution and society.
10. Domestication. Agricultural revolution. Domestication of plants and animals. Domestication as a biological experiment. Artificial selection and phenotypic evolution. Domestication genes.
11. The genomic revolution. Genome reconstruction. The power of genomic analyses to infer evolutionary processes. Evolution and conservation.

Mandatory literature

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

Teaching methods and learning activities

The Evolution course consists exclusively of theoretical classes, with each session intended to provide a description and discussion of the current state of knowledge in the specific field being addressed, highlighting the most significant recent advances, as well as open questions and current research avenues. This allows students to connect the knowledge they acquire throughout the course, particularly in ecology, genetics, physiology, and ethology. A field trip to the Biodiversity Hall is planned during the academic year.

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	24,00
Estudo autónomo	57,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

n.a.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final exam (20 points) is the only evaluation tool. Approval with more than 9.5 out of 20.

Classification improvement

Written exam.

Observations

Contact: José Melo Ferreira (jmeloferreira@fc.up.pt). Jury members: José Melo Ferreira, Agostinho Antunes.