Why are some amphibian genomes more than ten times larger than our own? Did humans and Neanderthals ever interbreed? What kinds of genetic changes cause speciation to occur? The field of evolutionary biology has seen a recent explosion in the use of new genetic tools and techniques to study the process of evolution. In this course we will discuss current issues in evolutionary genetics including the molecular basis of adaptation and diversification, genome evolution, the genetics of speciation, and the interpretation of population genetic patterns of variation. 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 305 or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: two sections of 12 (expected:12 per section). Open to juniors and seniors, with preference given to senior Biology majors who have not taken a 400-level course.

Hour: WILDER