Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Evolutionary Biology
Code LIFE213
Coordinator Dr S Plaistow
Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour
S.Plaistow@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 5 FHEQ First Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
None 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 18

   2

 10

   2

 32
Timetable (if known) This refers to timetabled lectures
  		  Refers to timetabled sessions to raise ambiguities and clarify points that have been misunderstood and give feedback following online tests.
  		This refers to timetabled lab practicals. 2 practicals each consisting of 1hr lecture + 2hr practical + 2hr follow-up.
  		  This refers to scheduled times for summative assessments
  		 
Private Study 118
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Written Exam  1:45 hours  Semester 1  70  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1000 words  Semester 1  20  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 
Coursework  not timetabled  Semester 1  10  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 3 Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 213 will be short answer questions and extended writing exercises. Assessment 213.1 will be extended writing exercises. Assessment 213.2 will be objective assessment such as multiple choice or extended matching item questions. 

Aims

  • This modules aims to:

    Provide students with a modern framework for understanding how organisms evolve and the major transitions in evolution ;

  • Explain where heritable phenotypic variation comes from, how it shapes the evolutionary process within species (microevolution) and elucidate the link between micro- and macro-evolution

  • Describe the factors influencing the genetic constitution of a population;

  • Explain how evolution and ecology are linked OR explain how gene sequence data can be used to study evolutionary processes.

  • Equip students with knowledge and understanding in evolutionary biology, and the ability to apply, evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve biological problems.


    • Learning Outcomes

    Discuss the origins of heritable phenotypic variation;

    Describe the main factors that cause changes in the genetic constitution of populations;
    Explain the difference between microevolution and macroevolution and how the two processes are linked;
    Explain patterns of biodiversity from an evolutionary perspective;

    Describe the major evolutionary transitions;
    EITHER Explain how ecology influences evolution and evolution influences ecology (Elective option 1) OR Explain the basic principles of studying molecular evolution and interpret genetic sequence data (Elective option 2);

    Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of evolutionary biology, and how this knowledge has been applied to solve problems.

    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lecture -

    This refers to timetabled lectures

    Tutorial -

    Refers to timetabled sessions to raise ambiguities and clarify points that have been misunderstood and give feedback following online tests.

    Laboratory Work -

    This refers to timetabled lab practicals. 2 practicals each consisting of 1hr lecture + 2hr practical + 2hr follow-up.

    Assessment -

    This refers to scheduled times for summative assessments

    Syllabus
    1 

    Part 1 - Microevolution
    Phylogeny practical – Inferring the genesis of biodiversity
    ·       Sources of variation
    ·       Modelling genetic change at the population level
    ·       Adaptive evolution: selection
    ·       Neutral evolution: drift
    ·       Population structure and gene flow
    ·       Maintenance of genetic variation
    ·       Quantitative genetics
    ·       Phenotypic plasticity and G x E
    ·       Evolutionary Developmental Biology
    ·       Co-evolution
     
    Part 2 – From microevolution to macroevolution
    Experimental evolution practical – the origin of new species
    ·       Major evolutionary transitions (1): Symbiotic organisms, including the origin of eukaryotes
    ·       Major evolutionary transitions (2): Transition to and consequences of sex
    ·       Major evolutionary transitions (3): The unified organism, multicellularity and genetic conflicts.
     
    Part 3 – Elective lectures
    Option 1 -Evolutionary ecology
    ·       What is evolutionary ecology?
    ·       Life-history evolution
    ·       Senescence
    ·       Evolution on ecological timescales
     
    Option 2 -Molecular evolution
    ·       Gene duplication
    ·       Horizontal gene transfer and symbionts
    ·       Adaptive protein evolution
    Molecular polymorphism

    Recommended Texts
    Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
    Explanation of Reading List: