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BIO 370
EVOLUTION – SPRING 2020
15 January 2020 Updated with Study Session Schedule 3 February 2020 Lectures Unique # 48395 - 48410 : TTh 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM – BUR 108 Unique # 48455 - 48470 : TTh 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM – BUR 208 Instructor: Dr. Edward Theriot Office: BIO 215/ Hours: Monday 1 :00- 4 :00 or by appointment TAs: Ms. Tahmineh Rouzbahani Office BIO 405A Hours: TBA or by appointment Mr. Chanhee Lee BIO 405A Hours: TBA or by appointment Discussions for TTH 11:00 AM lecture Discussions for TTH 12:30 PM lecture 48395 Tu^ 1:00^ –^ 2:00^ CAL 200 48455 We^ 8:30-^9 :^30 RLP 0. 48400 Tu^ 2:00^ -^ 3:00^ BEN1.126 48460 We^9 :^30 -^10 :^30 GDC 2. 48405 Tu^ 3:^30 -^ 4:^30 MEZ 1.102 48465 We^ 1:00-2:00^ RLP 0. 48410 Tu^ 4:^30 -^ 5:^30 MEZ 1.102 48470 We^2 :00-^3 :00^ JES A205A
ALL COMMUNICATION WITH TAs AND DR. THERIOT MUST BE
VIA CANVAS EMAIL!
Textbook: Evolution— 2nd Edition, 2016. Bergstrom and Dugatkin, Norton & Company.
Use a 1
st
Edition at your own risk.
NOTA BENE: Several versions of the 2nd^ Edition are available: a hard binding, soft binding, and loose-leaf binding, and an e-book version. The e-book version has practice questions, etc. that you might find useful. Homepage: We will be using Canvas (canvas.utexas.edu). Access requires you to login with your EID and Password and you cannot login unless you are registered in the course. All communications are VIA CANVAS EMAIL!! Course Description: Overarching goals are to explain the core concepts of evolutionary theory and its application in basic science, industry, technology, agriculture, and human health. An ancillary goal is to explain the nature of scientific inquiry and the importance of the PREDICTIVE power of evolutionary theory. We will identify evolutionary theory as standing alone as a predictive tool for guiding new scientific discovery rather than an explanation for a collection of facts. The first half of the course is devoted to understanding the process of genetic change in populations - the evolutionary process. The first quarter sets forth a fundamental philosophical statement about evolution as a science, by examining what a theory is and how it is used to make predictions in a general scientific sense. We ask the question: is evolution a science because it explains or because it makes testable predictions? We then will examine the critical processes underlying heredity. The second quarter examines the processes of heritable change from generation to generation by developing models of increasing complexity and applying those models to address
questions relevant to both basic and applied scientific questions. It concludes with an explanation of the utility of quantitative genetics as a tool to understand evolution of the phenotype, typically controlled by multiply loci. The second half of the course is devoted to understanding the outcomes of the evolutionary process, and how we can use the patterns generated by different mechanisms and modes of evolution to make testable predictions. The third quarter begins with the logic of reconstruction of the pattern of evolution, and ends with examination of the intersection between population thinking and phylogenetic thinking by addressing the question: What is a species? The fourth quarter of the course examines the various consequences of evolution for humans. What does evolution have to do with the price of corn? Literally in one example. We will also explore evolutionary theory for what it predicts about increasing human life span, what sort of mutations are most likely to result in cancer in pre- reproductive humans, and what sort are most likely to result in cancer in post-reproductive humans. We will answer the question: what patterns of application of pesticides or antibiotics are more likely to effect control of highly adaptive insects, or pathogens? Course Prerequisites: The main prerequisite is an understanding of basic genetic concepts. You are required to have taken BIO 325 or its equivalent before taking this course. You should be familiar with the fundamentals of Mendelian and molecular genetics (e.g., gene inheritance; DNA coding for amino acids in proteins; etc.); it may be worth reviewing basic genetics by reading the appropriate parts of your favorite introductory biology or genetics text. Course Format: This course consists of two types of instruction: lectures that will present the course material in what is hopefully an interesting and helpful-for-learning manner, and discussion sessions that will allow you to refine your understanding of the material via interaction with your TA and fellow students. Grading: Your grade will mainly be based on 4 major exams (each covering a major section of the course), and on discussion attendance/participation. Hour exams will be a combination of multiple-choice, and short answer/discussion. The four exams are together worth 80% of the course total (20% each). The ten discussions will each have two grading components – see below – worth 20% of the course total (100 points total – 20 points for attendance and 80 points for assignments). Points Possible Percentage Four exams (100 points per exam) 400 80% Discussion (10 points for each) 100 20 % Total 500 100% THERE IS NO SEPARATE FINAL EXAM. There are NO extra credit points. Make-up exams are only available per the rules below. Grades will NOT be curved Students who arrive late will NOT be given extra time. Late students who arrive after any student has finished will NOT be permitted to take the exam, and will get a ZERO unless s/he meets the “make-up” criteria below. Exam grade appeals: If you believe a grading error was made on an exam, you may submit an appeal VIA CANVAS EMAIL within a calendar week (7 days) of when the grade was returned to you. Your appeal MUST be based on course materials and should stress the scientific validity of your original response.
Letter
Grade
Percentage of
available
points at any
one time.
Total Points at
Semester End
A 90+ 450 - 500 pts
B 80 - 89.99 400 - 449.99 pts
C 70 - 79.99 350 - 399.99 pts
D 60 - 69.99 300 - 349.99 pts
F <60 <300 pts
such as rugby or lacrosse), other official UT related/sponsored organizations. Such planned events require a one- week advanced notification to Dr. Theriot AND your assigned TA VIA CANVAS EMAIL. Documentation will be required. Illness, death or serious illness of immediate family, and other serious emergencies are allowable excuses (upon consultation VIA CANVAS EMAIL with Dr. Theriot AND your assigned TA ASAP after the event). Documentation will be required. Incomplete Policy: Any incomplete grade given must be verified with a written (email) agreement between Dr. Theriot and the student that specifies the work to be done and a timetable for completion VIA CANVAS EMAIL. In accordance with University policy, the grade of incomplete can only be awarded in cases of students whose circumstances prevent them from finishing the required work for the course. Special Needs and Accommodations: We will do everything in our power to accommodate students with special needs as addressed in UT policies. UT’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) determines eligibility and helps faculty and students implement reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities at the University of Texas at Austin. PLEASE MEET WITH DR. THERIOT ASAP TO DISCUSS YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS. It is not mandatory but it would be a BIG help if you could please refresh Dr. Theriot’s memory VIA CANVAS EMAIL at least one week prior to exams, if you have exam accommodations. This will help make exam accommodations go more smoothly for both of us. SSD is housed in the Office of the Dean of Students, located on the fourth floor of the Student Services Building. Information on how to register, downloadable forms, including guidelines for documentation, accommodation request letters, and releases of information are available online. Please do not hesitate to contact SSD at (512) 471- 6259, VP: 1- 866 - 329 - 3986 or via e-mail if you have any questions. Also, the SSD office webpage is at http://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/, and has links to contact information and other details. Academic Integrity: Scholastic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Students who violate rules on scholastic honesty are subject to disciplinary penalties including the possibility of failing the course and being dismissed from the university. See http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/scholdis_whatis.php for additional information on scholastic dishonesty. Confidentiality of Student Records : We strive to maintain the anonymity of individual students taking this course relative to grades given on assignments or exams, or final grades at the completion of the course. Some Important UT Calendar Dates: (THIS IS UNOFFICIAL. I HAVE DONE MY BEST TO BE ACCURATE. PLEASE CHECK THE UT CALENDAR AT https://registrar.utexas.edu/calendars/19- 20 TO BE SURE!!) January 21 – Classes begin. This is a Tuesday and is our first day of class. THERE IS NO DISCUSSION THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASS!! See Discussion schedule below. January 24 – Last day of the official add/drop period; after this date, changes in registration may require the approval of the department chair and usually the student’s Dean. Last day undergraduate students may register and pay tuition without the approval of the registrar. February 5 – Twelfth class day; this is the date the official enrollment count is taken. Payment for added classes (add bill) due by 5:00 pm. Last day an undergraduate student may add a class except for rare and extenuating circumstances. Last day to drop a class for a possible refund. March 1 6 - 21 – Spring break.
April 6 – Last day an undergraduate student may, with the dean’s approval, withdraw from the University or drop a class except for urgent and substantiated, nonacademic reasons. Last day an undergraduate student may change registration in a class to or from the pass/fail basis. May 8 – Last Class Day ( NOTA BENE – our last class day will be May 7 ). There is no separate final exam.
BIO 370 EVOLUTION
SPRING 2020 DISCUSSION SCHEDULE
See unique numbers for date, time and place of Discussion Reading TAs will provide information 1-2 weeks in advance No Discussion (First week of class) Discussion 1 (Week of January 27) Discussion 2 (Week of February 3) No Discussion (Exam I week) (Study sections TBD) N/A Discussion 3 (Week of February 1 7 ) Discussion 4 (Week of February 24 ) Discussion 5 (Week of March 2) No Discussion (Exam II week) (Study sections TBD) N/A Spring Break Discussion 6 (Week of March 23 ) Discussion 7 (Week of March 30 ) Discussion 8 (Week of April 6 ) No Discussion (Exam III week) (Study sections TBD) N/A Discussion 9 (Week of April 20 ) Discussion 10 (Week of April 2 7 ) No Discussion (Exam IV week) (Study sections TBD) N/A
BIO 370
EVOLUTION – SPRING 20 20
SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND EXAMS
Date Topic Chapter Jan 21 Course Information – Early Ideas and Darwin’s Insights Syllabus, Ch. 2 Jan 23 Transmission Genetics and the Sources of Genetic Variation 6 Jan 28 Transmission Genetics and the Sources of Genetic Variation 6 Jan 30 The Genetics of Populations 7 Feb 4 The Genetics of Populations 7 Feb 6 The Genetics of Populations 7 Feb 11 The Genetics of Populations 7 Feb 13 EXAM I – During Regular Class Time in Regular Lecture Classroom Feb 18 Evolution in Finite Populations 8 minus coalescence Feb 20 Evolution in Finite Populations 8 minus coalescence Feb 25 Evolution in Finite Populations 8 minus coalescence Feb 27 Evolution at Multiple Loci 9 Mar 3 Evolution at Multiple Loci 9 Mar 5 Evolution at Multiple Loci 9 Mar 10 Evolution at Multiple Loci 9 Mar 12 EXAM II – During Regular Class Time in Regular Lecture Classroom Mar 17 Spring Break Mar 19 Spring Break Mar 24 Phylogeny and Evolutionary History 4 Mar 26 Phylogeny and Evolutionary History 4 Mar 31 Inferring Phylogeny 5 Apr 2 Inferring Phylogeny 5 Apr 7 Inferring Phylogeny - Gene trees, coalescence and other Big Problems 8 – coalescence sections Apr 9 Species and Speciation 14 Apr 14 Species and Speciation 14 Apr 16 EXAM III – During Regular Class Time in Regular Lecture Classroom Apr 21 Utility of Evolutionary Theory – Genomics TBA Apr 23 Utility of Evolutionary Theory - Understanding Disease and Aging TBA Apr 28 Utility of Evolutionary Theory - Understanding Disease and Aging TBA Apr 30 Utility of Evolutionary Theory – The Atavistic Hypothesis of Cancer TBA May 5 Utility of Evolutionary Theory – Exploring Nature for Beneficial Traits TBA May 7 EXAM IV – During Regular Class Time in Regular Lecture Classroom Final Exam Date: NO SEPARATE FINAL EXAM.
