This course introduces students to the theory behind evolutionary biology. The aim of the course is for the student to understand how evolution works, focusing on the quantitative and predictive theory that is the backbone of modern evolutionary thinking. The course covers three main areas: An introduction to population genetics, an introduction to quantitative genetics and the genotype-phenotype map, and an introduction to life-history evolution. To master this material and to put the concepts studied in class into practice, students work on weekly problem sets. Through the completion of the course assignments, students gain valuable quantitative and mathematical modeling skills.
Prerequisites: One of the following: E&EB 225, PHYS 170/171 or 180/181 or permission of the instructor.