The student masters a broad and deep overview of the different evolutionary theories dealing with both macro- and microevolution and with both genetic and cultural evolution. The student is able to apply evolutionary thinking in several applied fields that have been covered during the course, but can also apply their understanding to other fields in a critical, well-supported manner. The student is familiar with reading and synthesizing both historical and current scientific literature in the field of evolutionary biology in general and of evolutionary applications in particular.
Note: some lectures are at UCL. Please make yourself aware of the schedule and locations.
Every biologist must be able to understand the mechanisms of the evolution of species, from an organismic and molecular point of view. This course aims to provide the keys to understanding the modern issues related to the theory of evolution.
The course will train the students' advanced and applied knowledge in biological evolution and in evolutionary thinking. After a recap of the basic principles and concepts of evolutionary theory, the course will address a range of timely topics in the field of advanced and applied evolutionary biology. There will be a focus on topics which are of particular relevance for ecologists, organismal biologists and conservation biologists. Students will be trained in advanced evolutionary thinking and understanding from genes to organismal phenotypes and how and why this matters not only for our basic understanding of natural biota but also for a range of applied fields including nature conservation, medicine, agriculture, fisheries, humanities, amongst others. The covered topics may include:
Introduction to the course and recap of evolutionary concepts of basic courses in evolution (bachelor)
Natural selection in a human-modified world
Sexual selection in a human-modified world
Evolutionary thinking and engineering
Evolutionary thinking and biological invasions
Predicting evolution
Evolutionary medicine
Cultural evolution
Phylogenetics (building and interpreting phylogenies)
Genomic basis of evolution (including detection and interpretation)
Mitonuclear interactions
The practical part of the cours (TP) concerns a largely autonomous exercise of critical reading of historical milestone publications in evolutionary biology (Book chapters).
For this course, we combine and integrate expertise of both UNamur (Prof. Alice Dennis) and UCLouvain (Prof. Simon Baeckens). Lecturing occurs on both campuses. Check the timeschedule carefully on ADE.
An oral course based on the professors' powerpoints.
A single integrated written exam (3 hrs) at the UCLouvain-campus that will cover all the material lectured by the 3 professors, as well as a question about the TP (critical reading exercise). The relative distribution of the theoretical course part of the final mark of the exam and the one of the TP part is fixed at 80 and 20%, respectively
Course material will come from pdfs provided, as well as chapters of scientific books. These will be made availabl evia the course Moodle (at UCL)
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master in Biology of Organisms and Ecology | Finalité approfondie | 1 | 3 | Yes |
| Master in Biology of Organisms and Ecology | Finalité didactique | 1 | 3 | Yes |