Evolution

3 ECTS credits
80 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1015240ANR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester

2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Taught in

Dutch

Faculty

Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences

Department

Biology

Educational team

Franky Bossuyt (course titular)
Jasper Dierick

Activities and contact hours

13 contact hours Lecture
13 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
13 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

The classes aim at providing insights in basic concepts of evolution. First, we show that there are sufficient scientific arguments to accept the theory of evolution. The arguments of creationism and “Intelligent Design” versus evolution are also handled. Gradually, we add concepts of evolution and make the step from micro- to macro-evolution. The different species concepts and intraspecific variation are discussed. We learn about several evolutionary mechanisms: natural selection, sexual selection, artificial selection, adaptation, radiation, speciation and extinction.

The basic principles of evolutionary reconstruction are introduced and it is illustrated how phylogenetic trees can be analyzed to answer questions on molecular evolution, biogeography, co-evolution, ... Finally, variations in the rates of molecular and morphological evolution are discussed. The student learns to understand the observed diversity of life in the light of evolution.

Course material

Digital course material (Required) : Evolutie, Prints van Powerpoint presentaties van hoorcollege
Handbook (Recommended) : Evolution, Mark Ridley, 3de, Blackwell Sciencesis, 9781405103459, 2003

Additional info

The book “Evolution” by Mark Ridley (Blackwell Publishing) is recommended but not required.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

After following the course ‘Evolution’, the students understand the diversity of life in an evolutionary context and they have insight in life communities, from the level of populations up to ecosystems. The students know the concepts used in evolution and can draw connections between the concepts. Exercises and scientific papers used during the course and the practical teach students how to tackle evolutionary problems in a critical and scientific way, and they learn how to state evolutionary questions and hypotheses by themselves. The students show that they can work in group to make a presentation based on scientific papers and extra information that they looked up themselves, and they can convey this information in a clear manner. They are also able to ask critical questions about biological, methodological and ethical aspects of evolutionary research and to formulate answers to these questions.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Schriftelijk examen with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

multiple choice exam ('hogere cesuur' correction)

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context