BIOL 11700 - Principles Of Ecology And Evolution

This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of ecology and evolution. Students will learn the molecular basis of genetic variation and heredity, the mechanisms and outcomes of the evolutionary process, and the environmental factors that shape the distribution and abundance of organisms. The laboratory will provide hands-on opportunities to explore these concepts through the collection and critical analysis of relevant data. The basics of scientific writing and presentation will be introduced. This course is focused on majors in Biology and related disciplines.

Preparation for Course
P: Placement at or above MA 15300 (or Equivalent).

Cr. 4.
Hours
Class 3, Lab. 3.
Notes
Indiana Core Transfer Library course along with BIOL 11900. This course is open only to science majors; consent of instructor required for non-biology majors.
Student Learning Outcomes
1.    Explain the molecular basis of genetic variation and heredity.
2.    Analyze evolutionary mechanisms at the population level to explain the origin of species, phylogenetic relationships, and broad patterns of biodiversity through time.
3.    Describe major evolutionary milestones in the history of life and their role in shaping biological diversity.
4.    Evaluate ecological principles to explain population dynamics, community structure, energy flow, and nutrient cycling.
5.   Collect, analyze, interpret and write about biological data to address questions in ecology and evolution.