Course Info

Course Information

Biol 4397 (32814) Selected Topics in Biology: APPLIED EVOLUTION
Fall 2008: TuTh 10:00-11:30; Agnes Arnold Hall room 7

In addition to evolutionary biology’s power to explain the diversity and complexity of the world around us, evolution has applications to diverse fields of science, medicine, and technology. In this course, we will learn the fundamental principles of evolution necessary to appreciate and understand its applications to everyday problems, including public health, food production, forensics, and conservation.

Instructor: Becky Zufall, 321D Science and Research 2, rzufall@uh.edu
Office hours by appointment.

Course website: http://UHappliedevolution.blogspot.com
Please check the website often for readings, assignments and other news, and post your comments and questions there.

Format: Lecture, discussion, and student presentations.

Readings:
Required text: The Evolving World: Evolution in Everyday Life, by David Mindell. It is available at the campus bookstore and Amazon.
Additional readings will be assigned throughout the semester; these will be posted on the website.

Grades: Grades will be determined based on the following:

• 10% Participation
  
• 5% Homework
  
• 20% Exam 1
  
• 20% Exam 2
  
• 20% Exam 3
  
• 25% Presentation and Paper
  

Participation: To receive participation credit, you must attend class and be usefully engaged in discussion.
Homework: Three homework assignments will be graded pass/fail. To pass, you must complete the assignment on time and demonstrate a reasonable effort. Homework assignments will be posted online.
Exams: There will be three in-class exams. There will not be a final exam. You may elect to drop the grade from ONE exam, in which case, the other two exams will each be worth 30% of your final grade.
Presentation and Paper: You will receive more information on this in the following weeks.