597GE - Evolutionary Genetics

This course deals with evolutionary processes on a molecular and genetic level and provides training in analytical methods related to detecting genetic variation, phylogenetics, recombination, horizontal gene transfer, comparative genomics, and the analysis of microbiomes. The course contains three intellectual parts: genetic variation (mutation process, evolutionary rates, the molecular clock, and selection and neutral evolution at the molecular level), genome evolution (genome size, the evolution of chromosomes, the evolution of introns, gene/genome duplication, genome reduction, transposons, retroelements, gene conversion, and horizontal gene transfer) and evolution of genetic systems (the evolution of sex and sexual reproduction, recombination rates, sex ratios, genomic conflict, viral RNA genomes and bacterial transduction, transformation and conjugation). This course will also include discussion of the social, ethical and legal issues surrounding genetic technology and evolutionary biology.

Fulfills biology core requirement area(s):

Evolution and Biodiversity

Fulfills plant requirement for biology majors?


Fulfills lab requirement for biology majors?


Fulfills general education requirement for non-biology majors?