NBIA04061U Evolutionary Ecology

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Biology
MSc Programme in Agriculture
Content
Mating systems and sexual selection; decision making and the evolution of communication; senescence and life histories in animals and microbes; life history traits: genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity; mutualistic interactions and their evolutionary stability; social evolution: cooperation and conflict; parasite-host interactions.
Learning Outcome
To give students an understanding of life-history adaptations, of their ecological context, genetic variation and evolution. Students will gain a detailed perception of biological adaptation through natural and sexual selection, of the different levels of selection (genes, individuals, and social groups) and of the strength of these forces in shaping life-history adaptations. The course will enable students to integrate ecological, population genetic and evolutionary approaches.

Knowledge:

By completing the course the student will be able to understand and reflect on:

  • mating systems and sexual selection
  • decision making and the evolution of communication
  • senescence and life histories in animals and microbes
  • genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity
  • mutualistic interactions and their evolutionary stability
  • social evolution: cooperation and conflict in families and mutualisms
  • parasite-host interactions

 

Skills:

By completing the course the student will:

  • obtain a basic understanding of life-history adaptations, and of their ecological context, genetic variation and evolution
  • gain a detailed perception of biological adaptation through natural and sexual selection, of the different levels of selection (genes, individuals, and social groups) and of the strength of these forces in shaping life-history adaptations
  • be able to integrate ecological, population genetic and evolutionary approaches

 

Competencies:

By completing the course the student can:

  • explain important concepts and current hypotheses for life history evolution
  • evaluate the influence of sexual selection on the evolution of mating systems in animals and plants
  • describe the connections between mating systems and population structure
  • explain the significance of cost-benefit and trade-off arguments for natural selection
  • explain the significance of reproductive conflicts in social systems and mutualisms
  • evaluate the significance of constraints on adaptive evolution by natural and sexual selection
  • independently retrieve and select information from the scientific literature and other relevant sources
  • present and critically discuss original scientific papers and reviews in the field of evolutionary ecology
  • present a coherent essay on a topic within this field of study
Literature
See Absalon.
Nine hours of lectures and seminar class work per week for the first six weeks. In the 7th and 8th week, students will do a literature study and write a 5-page essay on a topic related to course papers.
The course is part of the qualification profile Ecology and Evolution. For all courses of the qualification profiles, see Course Portal for Department of Biology.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 17
  • Exam
  • 30
  • Lectures
  • 36
  • Preparation
  • 75
  • Project work
  • 48
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination
Written assignment
Oral, encompassing a discussion of the 5-page essay and of parts of the pensum.
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
The student gives an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material, with no or only a few minor weaknesses.