Description:
This intermediate-level course delves into the principles of evolutionary biology and the mechanisms that drive genetic variation and species evolution. The course covers foundational concepts such as natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation rates, providing insight into how these processes shape the genetic makeup of populations over time. Students will learn how to measure mutation rates and explore the role of mutations in evolutionary change.
In addition to the theoretical concepts, this course provides practical training in phylogenetic tree building and evolutionary modeling using real genetic data. Learners will study how model organisms are used in evolutionary research and how computational tools are applied to analyze mutation rates and evolutionary relationships between species.
This course bridges the gap between understanding basic evolutionary processes and applying advanced bioinformatics tools to study genetic variation and evolutionary history.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, learners will:
Understand the key principles of evolutionary biology, including natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation rates.
Analyze how mutations contribute to genetic variation and drive evolution.
Use phylogenetic tools to construct and interpret evolutionary trees based on genetic data.
Measure and evaluate mutation rates within genomes using bioinformatics tools.
Apply evolutionary models to real-world genetic data, simulating evolutionary processes and mutation rates in populations.