Ecology and Evolution

Topics

• Foundations and Evidence of Evolution Explore pre-Darwinian science, the development of evolutionary theory, and the genetic and fossil evidence supporting evolution.
• Mechanisms of Microevolution Examine how mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and non-random mating drive changes in populations, supported by population genetics models like Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
• Speciation and Macroevolutionary Patterns Investigate how species form and diversify, including the roles of adaptation, reproductive isolation, genetic bottlenecks, and evolutionary trends over deep time.
• Phylogenetics and the Tree of Life Learn how to construct and interpret phylogenetic trees using cladistics and molecular data, and trace the evolutionary history of life on Earth.
• Ecological Principles and Biodiversity Study the interactions of organisms with each other and their environments through topics in behavioral, population, community, ecosystem, and global ecology.

Expected Effort

At UC schools, 1 credit hour typically requires about 3 hours of student work per week. Actual class meeting times may vary by course.