course-details-portlet

BI8083 - Advanced Evolutionary Biology

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Passed / Not Passed

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Oral presentation 50/100 45 minutes
Oral presentation 50/100 45 minutes

Course content

The course should provide a deeper understanding of key concepts and theories in topics currently discussed in evolutionary biology. The course is based on the reading of recent and classical primary literature. It comprises a series of 10 sessions of 3 hours, each session corresponding to a specific topic:

  • Evolutionary genetics
  • Quantitative genetics
  • Selection in the wild
  • Genetics of small populations
  • Phenotypic plasticity
  • Eco-evolutionary dynamics
  • Macroevolution
  • Speciation
  • Macroevolutionary patterns
  • Evolution and development
  • Life history evolution
  • Molecular evolution
  • Genome evolution
  • Philosophy of science
  • Extended evolutionary synthesis
  • Evolution in the context of philosophy of science

The course can be cancelled if less than 5 participants.

Learning outcome

Students should have general knowledge of concepts and theories in evolutionary biology more specifically in evolutionary genetics, micro- and macroevolution, molecular evolution and philosophy of science in evolutionary biology.

Skills:

Students should be able to:

  • Present orally in the form of a lecture concepts and theories in evolutionary biology
  • Understand and discuss critically these concepts as well as the investigation methods.

General qualifications:

Students shall be able to:

  • Participate in debates within the field of national and international forums
  • Identify new relevant issues and contribute to the development of new ideas, theories, methods, interpretations and documentation in evolutionary biology

Learning methods and activities

Seminar: 30 hours

Presentation of two lectures of 45 min on an assigned topic with visual support - similar to trial lecture at the PhD defense. The presentations are followed by a two hours discussion on the presented topic.

Further on evaluation

Each student will present two lectures during the course. This presentation will be followed by a discussion of the topic based on several articles that all students should have read in advance. The strength and weakness of the trial lecture (quality of the oral presentation and visual support) will be also discussed.

There is a 80% obligatory attendance to the presentations

Required previous knowledge

Basic evolutionary biology (BI2017, BI3082)

Course materials

Primary literature - To be decided each year

More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Doctoral degree level

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  SPRING 2025

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Biology
Contact information
Course coordinator: Lecturer(s):

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Biology

Timetable

List view
Calendar view

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Oral presentation 50/100
Room Building Number of candidates
Autumn ORD Oral presentation 50/100
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Oral presentation 50/100
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Oral presentation 50/100
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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