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Evolution: Making Sense Of Life (BIOL20001)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
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About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
It is widely held that nothing in biology makes sense, except in the light of evolution. But evolutionary theory is crucial not only for making sense of organic diversity, but also for helping us understand and manage our interactions with other organisms: antibiotic and insecticide resistance, disease virulence, fisheries decline, spread of invasive species, human behaviour and life-histories are all informed by a knowledge of the processes of evolution. This subject will reveal the ubiquity of biological evolution in both natural and human modified environments. It will describe and explain the agents of change— drift, migration and selection, and show their effects on both single and multiple gene traits, and on the phylogenetic relationships of species. The subject will introduce co-evolutionary processes, which are critical for understanding traits that evolve through interactions between species, including humans. Particular topics will include (but not limited to): heritable variation; agents of evolution; artificial, natural and sexual selection; phenotypes and quantitative genetics; phylogeny, speciation and the tree of life; and antagonistic and mutualistic co-evolution. The subject will emphasise both the outcome and process of scientific research leading to our understanding of evolutionary processes, drawing on examples from across the diversity of life.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Define and explain the core concepts of evolutionary biology, including heritability, adaptation, and speciation.
- Describe the scientific techniques used to study evolution, such as experimental evolution, long-term field studies, quantitative genetics, and molecular phylogenetics.
- Interpret and build phylogenies describing the evolutionary relationships between species.
- Explain some of the practical applications of evolutionary research, for example in conservation biology.
Generic skills
The subject builds upon generic skills developed in first year level subjects. At the completion of this subject, students should gain skills in:
- Critical analysis and synthesis of new knowledge;
- Practical problem solving;
- Evaluating, interpreting, and presenting data;
- Searching and evaluating primary scientific literature;
- Oral communication and presentation skills; and
- Time management and self-management skills.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10001 | Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10002 | Biomolecules and Cells | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOM10002 | Exploring Biomedicine | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Pre 2021
BIOL10003 - Genes and Environment
BIOL10004 - Biology of Cells and Organisms
BIOL10005 - Genetics and The Evolution of Life
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
In-class assessment of interactive problems associated with each fortnightly workshop. 6 submissions (5 best-scoring submissions used to calculate grade, each worth 8%)
| Due in Weeks 2,4,6,8,10,12 | 40% |
A written essay on one of three optional topics. 1500 words total
| Week 7 | 20% |
Written examination. 2 hours.
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Simon Baxter Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 x 1hr lectures per week and 6 x 2hr workshops over the semester (one fortnightly) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Emlen DJ, Zimmer C. Evolution : Making Sense of Life. Third edition. Macmillan International Higher Education; 2020. (Please note any edition is suitable)
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024