BIOL 420(S) Evolutionary Genetics
Recent advances in genetics and genomics provide unparalleled tools for the study of evolution. This course will begin by examining the structure and organization of genes and genomes (why do all organisms have DNA anyway? where do sex chromosomes come from? why do genomes vary wildly in size among organisms?), and then expand our focus to encompass organismal and population-level processes (adaptation, speciation, population structure, etcŠ). Ultimately we will turn the lens on ourselves to explore the ongoing evolution of Homo sapiens. Class discussions will focus on readings from current primary literature.
Format: Discussion, three hours per week. Evaluation will be based on participation in class discussions and several short papers.
Prerequisite: Biology 202 and Biology 305, or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 12. 

Hour: WILDER