Special issues in evolution

Teacher(s)

Baeckens Simon; Dehoux Jean-Paul; Renoz François; Rezsohazy René; Soumillion Patrice;

Language

French

Prerequisites

To follow this course, it is necessary to master the knowledge and skills developed in the course LBIO1310.

Main themes

The course consists of a series of lectures with the aim to provide students with a deeper understanding deeper understanding of key topics in evolutionary biology. Topics discussed during this course include the evolution of phenotypic plasticity, epigenetics, genetic accommodation, sexual selection, evo-devo, epistemological problems raised by evolutionary theory, as well as the molecular evolution of proteins, and the origin of life.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Understand more complex topics in evolution Read and understand a recently published article on an evolutionary topic of choice and write a short ‘news and views’ style article about it.

Content

The course combines ex cathedra lectures with contributions from invited experts, who provide in-depth perspectives on specific topics in evolutionary biology drawing on their own research expertise. Themes include phenotypic plasticity and epigenetics, sexual selection, evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), human evolution, epistemological questions in evolutionary biology, molecular and protein evolution, and the origin of life.

Teaching methods

Lectures

Evaluation methods

The assessment will take the form of an individual assignment on a question in evolution, the details of which will be specified at the beginning of the course.

Other information

This course is an extension of LBIO1310, which will be given simultaneously. This course is specifically designed for students with an interest beyond general evolutionary theory. Although a few lectures will be delivered in English, the majority will be in French, and students are welcome to ask questions in French at any time.
Attendance at lectures is strongly recommended and is mandatory for guest lectures.

Online resources

The lecture slideshows will be available on Moodle.

Faculty or entity

> BIOL