EVOLUTION
BIOLOGY 402, FALL 2008
LECTURES: MWF 10:25 – 11:20, LC 0002
DR. BETH STEWART
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Office: LSRB 2060
Phone: (518)591-8832
Website: www.albany.edu/faculty/cs812/index2.html
Email: c.stewart@albany.edu
Office Hours:
DR. KURT MCKEAN
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Office: Biology 329
Phone: (518)442-4367
Website: www.albany.edu/faculty/kmckean/Site
Email: kmckean@albany.edu
Office Hours:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Perhaps the two most striking things our living world are its biological diversity
and the intricate and ??? fit of organisms to their environment. In this course we
will examine the evolutionary processes that have shaped and are currently
shaping this diversity, including the origin of species, common descent and the
processes promoting (and inhibiting) adaptation. The various mechanisms of
evolutionary change will be considered with emphasis on the process of natural
selection and its genetic and phenotypic consequences. Examples of genetic
and genomic studies highlighting how evolutionary hypotheses are generated
and tested will be used to illustrate the utility of evolutionary thinking and its role
as the central unifying concept in the modern study of biology.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES
PREREQUISITES: General Biology (Biol 110,111; or equivalent) and Genetics (Biol
212; or equivalent).
TEXT: Freeman, S. and J. C. Herron. 2007. Evolutionary Analysis (4th
Edition).
 Listed on the lecture outline are sections from the text required for that
days lecture. It is recommended that the reading is done prior to the
lecture.
 Additional material and information will be presented during lectures that is
not contained in the text.
LECTURE NOTES: Versions of the lecture presentations will be made available
soon after each lecture on the Biol 402 web page (Library: e-reserves)
EXAMS AND GRADING:
 Midterm Exams (2 x 100 pts.): There are 2 one-hour midterm exams
scheduled during normal lecture times throughout the semester (see
below for dates). The exam format will be a mix of multiple choice and
short answer questions.
 Final Exam (150 points): The final exam is cumulative but will
emphasize material from the last 1/3 of the course. Questions from the
first 2/3 of the course will be taken directly from the previous exams.
DATE
DAY
LECTURE
8/25
8/27
8/29
9/1
9/3
9/5
9/8
9/10
9/12
9/15
9/17
9/19
9/22
9/24
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
0
1
2
9/26
F
9/29
10/1
10/3
10/6
10/8
10/10
10/13
10/15
10/17
10/20
10/22
10/24
10/27
10/29
10/31
11/3
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
11/5
W
11/7
11/10
11/12
11/14
11/17
11/19
11/21
11/24
11/26
11/28
12/1
12/3
12/5
12/8
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
W
F
M
12/16
T
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
TOPIC
Introduction, Course Mechanics (BS)
Evidence for Evolution (BS)
Darwinian Natural Selection – I (BS)
No Lecture – Labor Day
Darwinian Natural Selection – II (BS)
Evolution of HIV – I (BS)
Evolution of HIV – II (BS)
Mutation and Genetic Variation (KM)
Evolutionary Mechanisms: Selection & Mutation (KM)
Evolutionary Mechanisms: Selection & Mutation (KM)
Evolutionary Mechanisms: Migration (KM)
Evolutionary Mechanisms: Genetic Drift – I (KM)
Evolutionary Mechanisms: Genetic Drift – II (KM)
Linkage & Sex – I (KM)
MIDTERM EXAM (LECTURES 1 - 11)
No Lecture – Fall Break
No Lecture – Fall Break
Linkage & Sex – II (KM)
Quantitative Genetics – I (KM)
Quantitative Genetics – II (KM)
No Classes
Adaptation – I (KM)
Adaptation – II (KM)
Sexual Selection – I (KM)
Sexual Selection – II (KM)
Kin Selection & Social Behavior – I (KM)
Kin Selection & Social Behavior – II (KM)
Life History Traits Evolution – I (KM)
Life History Traits Evolution – II (KM)
Pathogen Evolution (KM)
Evolution and Human Health (KM)
MIDTERM EXAM II (LECTURES 12 – 24)
Reconstructing phylogenetic Trees – I (BS)
Reconstructing phylogenetic Trees – II (BS)
Mechanisms of Speciation – I (BS)
Mechanisms of Speciation – II (BS)
Origins of Life – I (BS)
Origins of Life – II (BS)
Developmental Biology & Evolution – I (BS)
Developmental Biology & Evolution – II (BS)
No Classes – Thanksgiving
No Classes – Thanksgiving
Human Evolution – I (BS)
Human Evolution – II B (BS)
TBA (BS)
TBA (BS)
FINAL EXAM: TUESDAY DECEMBER 16
10:30 – 12:30
(CUMULATIVE BUT EMPHASIZING LECTURES 25 – 37)