Evolution
S06
Kerry Woods
Evolutionary theory provides conceptual unity for biology; Darwin’s concept and its derivatives inform every area of life science, from paleontology to molecular biology to physiology, to plant and animal behavior, to human nature. This course will establish deep grounding in basic selective theory (including some exploration of population genetics) and explore selected current questions through readings in primary literature. Topics may include evolution of reproductive systems and behaviors, evolutionarily stable strategies and game theory, competing models of sexual selection, inclusive fitness and the evolution of sociality and altruistic behavior, coevolution in mutualistic and predator-prey (parasite-host) systems, and the (multiple) origin and loss of sex. There will be extensive reading in primary literature as well as both critical and synthetic writing. The class is appropriate for any student with interest and prior college work in biology; some familiarity with basic concepts of genetics, general physiology, and so on will be assumed.