Evolutionary Biology

Biology 57: Evolutionary Biology

George M. Diggs, Jr.
Department of Biology and Center for Environmental Studies
Austin College, Sherman, Texas
& Research Associate, Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), Fort Worth

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Biology 57 - Evolutionary Biology Spring 2004 - Class Schedule and Readings

		Lecture Topic	Text Readings

Feb	3	Introduction; Science as a Way of Knowing; Why Study Biol. Evolution?; Hist. & Dev. of Evol.	Chs. 1, 2, Naturalism; An Introduction to Science; Nothing makes sense....; The Nature of Science
	5	Hist. & Dev. of Evol. Biol. (cont.); Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change	The Power of This View of Life; Neither Intelligent nor Designed; The New Creationism; Sadly, An Honest Creationist
	10	Genetic Basis cont., Variation
	12	Factors Affecting Gene Freq.; Genetic Drift
	17	Selection, Adaptation; Case Study: Evolution of Whales	Ch. 3, The Origin of Whales, Introduction to the Cetacea, Transitional Forms of Whales
	19	Preadaptations, Functional Shifts, Multiple Solutions	Text pgs. 331-360
	24	Evolution and Human Health	Text pgs. 455-476
	27	Evolution and Human Health	Ch. 13
Mar	2	Sexual Section; Kin Selection
	4	EXAM 1
	5-14	SPRING BREAK
	16	Speciation	Ch. 15
	18	Coevolution; Res. Sum. Title, Etc. Due
	23	Coevolution
	25	Coevolution
	30	Coevolution
Apr	1	Classification, Phenetics, Evolutionary Taxonomy, Cladistics	Ch. 14
	6	Cladistics & the Reconstruction of Phylogeny; RESEARCH SUMM. DUE
	8	Molecular Evolution
	13	EXAM 2
	15	Molecular Evolution
	20	Diversity
	22	Diversity, Cont.
	27	Extinction
	29	Mass Extinction	Text pgs. 684-696
May	4	Human Evolution	Ch. 19
	6	Evolution of Human Sexuality
	13	FINAL EXAM – 9:00 - 11:00 pm. Thursday

For further information about this course, please contact:

Dr. George Diggs, Professor
Department of Biology
Austin College
900 N. Grand Ave.
Sherman, TX 75090
903-813-2246
Fax: 903-813-3199
gdiggs@austincollege.edu