Speciation and Macroevolution

Description

An exploration of higher-level processes in evolution spanning considerations of mechanisms of speciation, extinction, adaptive radiation, and phylogenetics. Learning Hours: 120 (24 Lecture, 24 Tutorial, 60 Group Learning, 12 Online Activity) Requirements: Prerequisite BIOL 206 /3.0 and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the Biological Foundations List. Course Learning Outcomes: - Define micro- and macroevolution, and articulate alternative views on the importance of distinguishing between them. - Discuss mechanisms of diversification and genetic mechanisms that contribute to origination of species. - Analyze DNA sequence data to produce phylogenetic hypotheses of evolutionary relationships, and use these to understand broad-scale patterns in speciation and macroevolution. - Describe major events in the history of life on Earth including organismal diversification in the Ediacaran Period, the Cambrian Explosion, and mass extinction events, particularly at the ends of the Permian and Cretaceous. - Express the importance of different approaches to understanding origins and patterns of diversity including palaeontology, biogeography, genomics, and evolutionary developmental biology. - Critique articles from the primary evolutionary literature, distil their most salient conclusions, and situate these findings in the broader context of evolutionary biology. Assessment/Exam Context: Course assessment and examinations vary by course; Queen's notes that eligible exchange students whose first language is not English may receive extra final-exam time. Exchange Registration Note: Arts and Science courses are open to exchange students subject to prerequisites and space. Most courses should be in Arts and Science; other faculties may be limited. Education, Medicine, and Nursing are not open to incoming exchange enrolment.