6AE124 Evolution

    • Number of credits
      7,5
    • Teaching semester
      2025 Spring
    • Language of instruction
      English
    • Campus
      Evenstad
    • Required prerequisite knowledge

      None

Course content
  • Principles of natural selection and genetic drift 
  • Variation, heredity and selection  
  • Evolution of species adaptation 
  • Sexual selection  
  • Co-evolution, evolutionary trade-offs 
  • Altruism 
  • Speciation 
  • Epigenetics 

Learning Outcome

A candidate with fulfilled qualifications will have the following learning outcome: 

Knowledge

The candidate 

  • has deep knowledge of the principles of natural selection, and the evolution of species adaptations 
  • has knowledge of the concepts of heredity, selection and genetic variation 
  • has knowledge of genetic drift, sexual selection, co-evolution and evolutionary trade-offs 
  • has knowledge of speciation processes and epigenetics 
Skills

The candidate 

  • can read scientific literature in the field of evolution and critically evaluate and discuss the results in written and oral form 
  • can synthesize and present an evolutionary article/topic in public 
  • can critically discuss the processes leading to evolutionary change, including adaptation and speciation  
  • can reflect on the processes leading to the observed diversity and adaptations within and between existing populations and species 
  • can reflect on the ability of species to adapt to current and future environmental change, and the constraints to such adaptations 
General competence

The candidate 

  • is able to apply their knowledge of evolutionary processes and adaptations to theoretical and practical questions within ecology and wildlife management 
  • is able to work independently and in a team on written and oral presentations 
  • is able to read scientific literature and critically evaluate and discuss the results in written and oral form 
  • is able to synthesize and present a scientific article/topic in public 
Teaching and working methods
  • Lectures 
  • Reading and discussing scientific papers 
  • Written assignments 
  • Student presentations 
Required coursework
  • One written essay in groups of three to four students 
  • Group presentation of written essay 
  • Presentation of one scientific paper 

All group members are responsible for all the content in group work.  

Form of assessment
  • Oral exam (100%)
Assessments
Form of assessmentGrading scaleGroupingDuration of assessmentSupport materialsProportionComment
Oral examination
ECTS - A-F
Individual

Reading list

Faculty
Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology
Department
Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management