6AE124 Evolution

    • Course code
      6AE124
    • Number of credits
      7,5
    • Teaching semester
      2027 Spring
    • Language of instruction and examination
      English
    • Campus
      Evenstad
    • Required prerequisite knowledge

      None

Course content
  • Principles of natural selection
  • Genetic variation and heredity  
  • Adaptive evolution and genetic drift 
  • Sexual selection  
  • Co-evolution and evolutionary trade-offs 
  • Altruism and kin selection
  • Speciation and species definitions

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 adaptive evolution 
  • has deep knowledge of the concepts of genetic variation, heredity, genetic drift, fitness, and selection  
  • has knowledge of sexual selection, kin selection, co-evolution, and evolutionary trade-offs 
  • has knowledge of species definitions and speciation processes
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, drift, 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 
Working and teaching methods
  • Lectures 
  • Reading and discussing scientific texts 
  • Written assignments 
  • Student presentations and group discussions
Compulsory activities
  • One written essay in groups of three to four students 
  • One group presentation

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

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

Reading list

Course name in Norwegian Bokmål: 
Evolution
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology
Department
Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management
Area of study
Matematisk-naturvitenskapelige fag/informatikk
Programme of study
30 ECTS Programme in Ecology and Evolution
Course level
Foundation courses, level I (100-LN)