BIOEE 278: Evolutionary
Biology
Fall or spring. 3 or 4 credits.
The course considers explanations for patterns of diversity and for the
apparent "good fit" of organisms to the environment. Topics covered
include the genetic and developmental basis of evolutionary change,
processes at the population level, the theory of evolution by natural
selection, levels of selection, concepts of fitness and adaptation,
modes of speciation, long-term trends in evolution, rates of evolution,
and extinction. Students taking the four-credit option read additional
materials from the primary literature and write a series of essays in
place of the regular prelims.
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BIOEE463: Plant Ecology and
Population Biology (Co-taught with Peter Marks)
Fall. 3 credits. Offered alternate years.
This course examines the biological and historical factors affecting
the structure of plant communities, and the distribution, abundance,
and population dynamics of individual species. The influence of the
environment, disturbance history, competition, and herbivory on the
organization of plant communities are considered. Plant populations are
also studied through an analysis of plant life histories and
plant-plant and plant-animal interactions. Throughout the course an
attempt is made to blend empirical patterns, experimental results, and
theory. Readings are drawn from the primary literature. |
BIOEE 465: Plant Ecology and
Population Biology Laboratory (Co-taught with Peter Marks)
Fall. 1 credit. Offered alternate years.
Field and laboratory exercises are designed to give firsthand
experience with the ecology and population biology of plants. Emphasis
is on making observations and measurements of plants in the field and
greenhouse, and on data analysis.
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Graduate Seminars
Topics vary by semester and have
included competition theory, species diversity and community stability,
use of molecular markers in evolutionary studies, and evolution and
ecology of specialization versus generalization.
FALL 2004 GRADUATE SEMINAR
BIOEE 759: Evolutionary Population Ecology (Co-taught with Evan Cooch)
The seminar addresses the topic of niche specialization vs.
generalization from the gene to the species level. Specialization is a
conservative strategy of use of, and effect on, the abiotic and biotic
environments while generalization is the opposite. We will explore (1)
How do the concepts of specialization and generalization compare to
those of canalization vs. plasticity? (2) When is specialization or
generalization expected? (3) When is canalization or plasticity
expected and how do they evolve? (4) Are empirical patterns of
specialization/generalization and canalization/ plasticity congruent
with theoretical expectations? (5) What are their consequences to
community structure?
This 2-credit seminar is for students who have had a full semester of
coursework in evolutionary biology and ecology. The seminar will meet
once a week for two hours and will consist of a combination of few
lectures and an emphasis on discussions of the literature. First meeting: Wednesday, September
8 (the second full week of class) from 9:05-11:00, in Corson Hall A306
(Cole Room).
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