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Undergraduate Courses | Graduate Courses | Online Course Information
In addition to the EEB courses listed on this site, A number of other departments offer courses that are appropriate for EEB grad students. These include MCDB, Geology and Geophysics, Anthropology, Statistics, and Yale Program in Organismal and Integrative Biology.
General Ecology (E&EB 220/520)
The theory and practice of ecology, including the ecology of individuals, population dynamics and regulation, community structure, ecosystem function, and ecological interactions at broad spatial and temporal scales. Topics such as climate change, fisheries management, and infectious diseases are placed in an ecological context.
Prerequisite: MATH 112 or equivalent.
1 Yale College course credit(s)
Professor: David Vasseur, Professor: Carla Staver
Course Type: Undergraduate, Course Type: Graduate
Term: Fall 2021
Day/Time: MWF 10:30am -11:20am
Laboratory for Principles of Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and the Tree of Life (E&EB 223L/523L)
Study of evolutionary novelties, their functional morphology, and their role in the diversity of life. Introduction to techniques used for studying the diversity of animal body plans. Evolutionary innovations that have allowed groups of organisms to increase their diversity.
0.5 Yale College course credit(s)
Professor: Marta Wells
Term: Spring 2022
Day/Time: TWTh 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Evolutionary Biology (E&EB 225/525)
An overview of evolutionary biology as the discipline uniting all of the life sciences. Reading and discussion of scientific papers to explore the dynamic aspects of evolutionary biology. Principles of population genetics, paleontology, and systematics; application of evolutionary thinking in disciplines such as developmental biology, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, and human medicine.
Professor: Alvaro Sanchez
Day/Time: TTh 10:30am -11:20am, 1 HTBA
Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease (E&EB 228/528)
Overview of the ecology and evolution of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, protozoa) and their impact on host populations. Topics include theoretical concepts, ecological and evolutionary dynamics, molecular biology, and epidemiology of ancient and emerging diseases.
Professor: Paul Turner, Professor: Vanessa Ezenwa
Day/Time: TTh 10:30am-11:20am
Field Ecology (E&EB 230/530)
A field-based introduction to ecological research, using experimental and descriptive approaches, comparative analysis, and modeling for field and small-group projects. Weekly field trips explore local lake, salt marsh, rocky intertidal, traprock ridge, and upland forest ecosystems. Includes one Saturday field trip and a three-day trip during the October recess.
Concurrently with or after E&EB 220 or with permission of instructor.
Professor: Linda Puth
Behavioral Ecology (E&EB 242/542)
An introduction to the study of animal behavior from an evolutionary and ecological perspective. Topics include decision-making, group living and cooperation, sexual selection and mating behavior, signaling and communication. In addition to lectures, in-class discussions and activities, students engage in the material by design and implement their own research projects.
Prerequisite: BIOL 104, or permission of instructor.
Professor: Vanessa Ezenwa
Day/Time: TTH 10:30-11:20
Plant Diversity & Evolution (E&EB 246/546)
Introduction to the major plant groups and their evolutionary relationships, with an emphasis on the diversification and global importance of flowering plants.
To be taken concurrently with E&EB 247L. Prerequisite: a general understanding of biology and evolution.
Professor: Erika Edwards
Day/Time: MW 11:35am-12:50pm
Laboratory for Plant Diversity & Evolution (E&EB 247L/547L)
Hands-on experience with the plant groups examined in the accompanying lectures. Local field trips.
To be taken concurrently with E&EB 246.
Day/Time: T 1:00pm-4:00pm
Biology Of Terrestrial Arthropods (E&EB 250/550)
Evolutionary history and diversity of terrestrial arthropods (body plan, phylogenetic relationships, fossil record); physiology and functional morphology (water relations, thermoregulation, energetics of flying and singing); reproduction (biology of reproduction, life cycles, metamorphosis, parental care); behavior (migration, communication, mating systems, evolution of sociality); ecology (parasitism, mutualism, predator-prey interactions, competition, plant-insect interactions).
To be taken concurrently with E&EB 251L.
Day/Time: TTh 11:35am -12:50pm
Laboratory for Biology Of Terrestrial Arthropods (E&EB 251L/551L)
Comparative anatomy, dissections, identification, and classification of terrestrial arthropods; specimen collection; field trips.
Concurrently with or after E&EB 250.
Day/Time: W 1:30pm -4:30pm
Invertebrates I (E&EB 255/555)
An overview of animal diversity that explores themes including animal phylogenetics (evolutionary relationships), comparative studies of evolutionary patterns across species, organism structure and function, and the interaction of organisms with their environments. Most animal lineages are marine invertebrates, so marine invertebrates are the focus of most of the course.
E&EB 256L is not required to enroll in the lecture.
Professor: Casey Dunn
Day/Time: TTh 11:35am-12:50pm
Laboratory for Invertebrates I (E&EB 256L/556L)
The study of invertebrate anatomy and diversity in a laboratory and field setting. Activities will include will examine live animals and museum specimens, as well as local field trips. Some field trips will fall on weekends.
This lab must be taken concurrently with the lecture E&EB 255.
Day/Time: Th 1:30pm-4:30pm
Ichthyology (E&EB 264/564)
A survey of fish diversity, including jawless vertebrates, chimaeras and sharks, lungfishes, and ray-finned fishes. Topics include the evolutionary origin of vertebrates, the fossil record of fishes, evolutionary diversification of major extant fish lineages, biogeography, ecology, and reproductive strategies of fishes
Professor: Richard Harrington
Day/Time: T Th 1:00 - 2:15
Laboratory for Ichthyology (E&EB 265L/565L)
Laboratory and field studies of fish diversity, form, function, behavior, and classification. The course primarily involves study of museum specimens and of living and fossil fishes. Concurrently with E&EB 264. 0.5 Yale College course credit(s)
Day/Time: W 1:30 - 4:30
Ornithology (E&EB 272/672)
An overview of avian biology and evolution, including the structure, function, behavior, and diversity of birds. The evolutionary origin of birds, avian phylogeny, anatomy, physiology, neurobiology, breeding systems, and biogeography.
Enrollment limited to 50.
Professor: Richard Prum
Laboratory for Ornithology (E&EB 273L/673L)
Laboratory and field studies of avian morphology, diversity, phylogeny, classification, identification, and behavior.
Plant Ecology (E&EB 305/705)
Plant ecology is the study of plant interactions with their environment, at the level of individuals, and of how plant-plant interactions mediate environmental interactions at the level of populations, communities, and ecosystems. The course incorporates empirical and theoretical perspectives, emphasizing the empirical origins of concepts in plant ecology and effective empirical tests of conceptual and mathematical predictions. Students read the primary scientific literature extensively, both for content and to build familiarity with methodological standards and the scientific writing.
1 Yale College course credit(s).
Professor: Carla Staver
The study of plant interactions with their environment, at the level of individuals, and of how plant-plant interactions mediate environmental interactions at the level of populations, communities, and ecosystems. Incorporation of empirical and theoretical perspectives, emphasizing the empirical origins of concepts in plant ecology and effective empirical tests of conceptual and mathematical predictions.
Day/Time:
Evolutionary Genetics (E&EB 322/622)
Genetic variation is the currency by which natural selection is translated into evolutionary change. In this course we dissect patterns of genetic variation using an evolutionary mindset to ultimately understand what shapes genetic variation in nature and the potential for species to adapt to new and changing environments. This class unites two foundational fields of evolutionary genetics; quantitative genetics (the study of the genetic basis of complex traits) and population genetics (the study of gene variant frequencies across time and space), with an ultimate goal of understanding evolutionary change in nature. Although this course is lecture based, there is much opportunity for hands-on learning. Students use real-life and simulated genetic data to map the genetic basis of traits and investigate the evolutionary forces responsible for shaping genetic variation in nature. We also discuss how quantitative and population genetics theory are applied to the modern genomic era, particularly in the context of detecting genomic signatures of adaptation. Lastly, we discuss the application of evolutionary genetics to human populations, including the usefulness and missteps of these applications for science and society.
Prerequisite: E&EB 225, Evolutionary Biology.
Professor: Jenn Coughlan
Day/Time: MW 2:20-3:45
Evolution and Medicine (E&EB 335/635)
Introduction to the ways in which evolutionary science informs medical research and clinical practice. Diseases of civilization and their relation to humans' evolutionary past; the evolution of human defense mechanisms; antibiotic resistance and virulence in pathogens; cancer as an evolutionary process. Students view course lectures on line; class time focuses on discussion of lecture topics and research papers.
Prerequisite: BIOL 101–104.
Professor: C. Brandon Ogbunu
Day/Time: TTh 1:00pm-2:15pm
Primate Diversity and Evolution (E&EB 342/842)
The diversity and evolutionary history of living and extinct primates. Focus on major controversies in primate systematics and evolution, including the origins and relationships of several groups. Consideration of both morphological and molecular studies. Morphological diversity and adaptations explored through museum specimens and fossil casts.
Requires Permission of the Instructor
Recommended preparation: ANTH 116.
I Yale College course credit(s).
Professor: Eric Sargis
Evolutionary Theory (E&EB 352/652)
This course introduces students to the theory behind evolutionary biology. The aim of the course is for the student to understand how evolution works, focusing on the quantitative and predictive theory that is the backbone of modern evolutionary thinking. The course covers three main areas: An introduction to population genetics, an introduction to quantitative genetics and the genotype-phenotype map, and an introduction to life-history evolution. To master this material and to put the concepts studied in class into practice, students work on weekly problem sets. Through the completion of the course assignments, students gain valuable quantitative and mathematical modeling skills.
Prerequisites: One of the following: E&EB 225, PHYS 170/171 or 180/181 or permission of the instructor.
Professor: Alvaro Sanchez, Professor: C. Brandon Ogbunu
Phylogenetic Biology (E&EB 354/654)
Phylogenetic Biology is the study of the evolutionary relationships between organisms, and the use of evolutionary relationships to understand other aspects of organism biology. This course surveys phylogenetic methods, providing a detailed picture of the statistical, mathematical, and computational tools for building phylogenies and using them to study evolution. We also examine the application of these tools to particular problems in the literature and emerging areas of study.
Prerequisites: E&EB 225 and an organismal course.
Advanced Topics in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology [Grad] (E&EB 500)
Topics to be announced. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
Course Type: Graduate
Day/Time: M 2:30 - 4:30
Day/Time: M 2.30-4.30
Intro Statistics: Life Sciences [Grad] (E&EB 510)
Statistical and probabilistic analysis of biological problems, presented with a unified foundation in basic statistical theory. Problems are drawn from genetics, ecology, epidemiology, and bioinformatics.
Professor: Walter Jetz
Day/Time: TTh 1:00 - 2:15
Conservation Biology [Grad] (E&EB 515)
An introduction to ecological and evolutionary principles underpinning efforts to conserve Earth's biodiversity. Efforts to halt the rapid increase in disappearance of both plants and animals. Discussion of sociological and economic issues.
Term: Fall
General Ecology [Grad] (E&EB 520)
Professor: David Vasseur, Professor: David Post
Day/Time: MWF 10:30 - 11:20
Laboratory for Evolution & Functional Traits [Grad] (E&EB 523L)
Day/Time: TWTh 1.30-4.30
Evolutionary Biology [Grad] (E&EB 525)
An overview of evolutionary biology as the discipline uniting all of the life sciences. Evolution explains the origin of life and Earth's biodiversity, and how organisms acquire adaptations that improve survival and reproduction. This course uses reading and discussion of scientific papers to emphasize that evolutionary biology is a dynamic science, involving active research to better understand the mysteries of life. We discuss principles of population genetics, paleontology, and systematics; application of evolutionary thinking in disciplines such as developmental biology, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, and human medicine.
Day/Time: TTh 10.30-11.20,1 HTBA
Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease [Grad] (E&EB 528)
Day/Time: TTh 10:30 - 11:20
Field Ecology [Grad] (E&EB 530)
Evolution and Medicine [Grad] (E&EB 535)
Behavioral Ecology [Grad] (E&EB 542)
Responsible Conduct of Research [Grad] (E&EB 545)
Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
This 5-week discussion seminar considers issues related to the responsible conduct of research. Topics addressed include: research misconduct, plagiarism, data acquisition and management, mentoring and collaboration, authorship and peer review, the use of animals and humans in scientific research, sexual harassment, diversity, and balancing professional and personal life.
Professor: Jeffrey Powell
Plant Diversity & Evolution [Grad] (E&EB 546)
Day/Time: MW 1:00pm - 2:15pm
Laboratory for Plant Diversity & Evolution [Grad] (E&EB 547L)
Day/Time: T 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Biology Of Terrestrial Arthropods [Grad] (E&EB 550)
Evolutionary history and diversity of terrestrial arthropods (body plan, phylogenetic relations, fossil record); physiology and functional morphology (water relations, thermo-regulation, energetics of flying and singing); reproduction (biology of reproduction, life cycles, metamorphosis, parental care); behavior (migration, communication, mating systems, evolution of sociality); ecology (parasitism, mutualism, predator-prey interactions, competition, plant-insect interactions).
Day/Time: TTh 11.35am - 12.50pm
Laboratory for Biology Of Terrestrial Arthropods [Grad] (E&EB 551L)
Day/Time: W 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Invertebrates I [Grad] (E&EB 555)
A study of animal diversity, with a focus on the evolution of marine invertebrates. The course will draw extensively on the Invertebrate Zoology collections at the Peabody Museum. The lecture does not have to be taken concurrently with the lab.
Day/Time: T Th 11.35-12.50
Laboratory for Invertebrates I [Grad] (E&EB 556L)
A study of animal diversity, with a focus on the evolution of marine invertebrates. The course will draw extensively on the Invertebrate Zoology collections at the Peabody Museum. The lecture and lab must be taken concurrently.
Day/Time: Th 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Ichthyology [Grad] (E&EB 564)
A survey of fish diversity, including jawless vertebrates, chimaeras and sharks, lungfishes, and ray-finned fishes. Topics include the evolutionary origin of vertebrates, the fossil record of fishes, evolutionary diversification of major extant fish lineages, biogeography, ecology, and reproductive strategies of fishes.
Laboratory for Ichthyology [Grad] (E&EB 565L)
Laboratory and field studies of fish diversity, form, function, behavior, and classification. The course primarily involves study of museum specimens and of living and fossil fishes.
Biological Oceanography [Grad] (E&EB 575)
Exploration of a range of coastal and pelagic ecosystems. Relationships between biological systems and the physical processes that control the movements of water and productivity of marine systems. Anthropogenic impacts on oceans, such as the effects of fishing and climate change. Includes three Friday field trips.
Professor: Mary Beth Decker
Day/Time: TTh 11.35-12.50
Evolutionary Genomics [Grad] (E&EB 610)
Functional genomics has opened the opportunity to assess the activity state of all genes in the genomes in a largely scalable way. Many cell types, tissues, and characters can readily be assessed across many species, leading to a new field of evolutionary or comparative functional genomics. At the same time this new field of data analysis can be used to address many deep issues in organismic evolution, like the evolution of cell types, the homology among cell types, etc. In this seminar we review the current state of published literature as it pertains to the evolutionary analysis of transcriptomes and epigenetic marks and their bearing on issues of cell and tissue evolution and homology.
Advanced Ecology [Grad] (E&EB 620)
An advanced treatment of ecology, including species interactions, species coexistence theory, species-environment interactions, the maintenance and consequences of biological diversity, spatial ecology, food webs, and eco-evolutionary interactions.
Professor: David Vasseur
Philosophy of Biology (E&EB 621)
An introduction to the philosophy of biology, with application to specific current problems. The course focuses on two major strands of thinking seeking answers to two fundamental and to some extent complementary questions: "How do we know?" [epistemology] and "What things really exist in the world?" [ontology]. These two themes have the most important impact on the practice of science, as they pertain to the nature of the scientific enterprise and how it works [epistemology and philosophy of science], as well as what scientists consider part of reality [science-related ontology: unicorns and phlogiston, NO; atoms, electrons, YES; but what about species and genes? Do they have the same status as atoms?]. In each of these fields of philosophy we outline the main positions and discuss how they apply to past and current debates in biology—in particular, but not exclusively, evolutionary biology.
Evolutionary Genetics [Grad] (E&EB 622)
Evolutionary Ecological Genetics [Grad] (E&EB 624)
Topics related to analyzing molecular genetic data to answer questions in evolution and ecology. Methods to detect selection in DNA sequences and other molecular data, and landscape genetics, overlaying genetic data on ecological maps from global imaging. Other topics will be determined by interests of participants.
Limnology (E&EB 625)
Limnology, the study of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of inland waters, focuses on lakes where physical (light, temperature, and mixing) and chemical (dissolved elements and compounds) properties interact with the ecology and evolution of organisms. Topics include origins and morphology of inland waters; physical and chemical properties; diversity and interactions among the organisms found in lakes; historical perspectives; and understanding conservation and management in the context of global change. Frequent field trips to local freshwater ecosystems.
Professor: David Post
Plant Structure and Function (E&EB 626)
This is an advanced botany course, preferably for students that have taken EEB 246 in addition to BIO 104; otherwise permission must be obtained from the instructor. A keen interest in plants is a must.
Biosocial Science [Grad] (E&EB 636)
This seminar (with limited enrollment, but open to anyone) covers topics at the intersection of the natural and social sciences, including behavior genetics, gene-environment interactions, social epigenetics, and diverse other topics.
Professor: Nicholas Christakis
Term: Spring 2022, Term: Fall 2022
Biology of Insect Disease Vectors [Grad] (E&EB 650)
Insects transmit pathogens that cause many emerging and re-emerging human and agriculture-related diseases. Many of these diseases, which are referred to as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), have a dramatically negative impact on human health in the developing world. Furthermore, they cause indirect devastation by significantly reducing agricultural productivity and nutrient availability, exacerbating poverty and deepening disparities. This course introduces students to the biological interactions that occur between major groups of important disease vectors and the pathogens they transmit. Lectures cover current research trends that relate to the ecology and physiology of insect vectors. Course content focuses on how these aspects of vector biology relate to the development and implementation of innovative and effective disease-control strategies.
Prerequisite: full year of college/university-level biology, or permission of the instructor(s).
Evolutionary Theory [Grad] (E&EB 652)
This course introduces students to the theory behind evolutionary biology. The aim is for the student to understand how evolution works, focusing on the quantitative and predictive theory that is the backbone of modern evolutionary thinking. The course covers three main areas: an introduction to population genetics, an introduction to quantitative genetics and the genotype-phenotype map, and an introduction to life-history evolution. To master this material and to put the concepts studied in class into practice, students work on weekly problem sets. Through the completion of the course assignments, students gain valuable quantitative and mathematical modeling skills.
Phylogenetic Biology [Grad] (E&EB 654)
Ornithology [Grad] (E&EB 672)
Laboratory for Ornithology [Grad] (E&EB 673L)
Life History Evolution [Grad] (E&EB 680)
Life history evolution studies how the phenotypic traits directly involved in reproductive success are shaped by evolution to solve ecological problems. Nowhere is the interplay between evolution and ecology more intimate.
Plant Ecology (E&EB 705)
From Biodiversity Science to Conservation Impact (E&EB 713)
We dive into the scholarship and careers of E.O. Wilson and Thomas Lovejoy and explore how they succeeded in bringing scientific insights and evidence into the practice of conservation. We discuss examples of their primary research, recent studies following up on their ideas, and biographic work. We attempt to link their original contributions and ideas to the conservation actions and outcomes they inspired and hear from those who worked closely with them. In a final segment, we critically relate their scientific legacy to the additional, new challenges and opportunities for equitable, fair and effective conservation solutions in the 21st century.
Term: Spring
Structuralism and Macroevolution (E&EB 717 )
A seminar course discussing the philosophical roots of and empirical research in structuralism and macroevolution. We read selected papers in philosophy of evolutionary biology, comparative phylogenetic methods, macroevolutionary studies, and the role of natural history in evolutionary thought. Each topic is paired with readings on empirical research that involves similar issues. The course concludes with a short writing assignment that analyzes a contemporary question in macroevolution or structural/organismic research.
Comparative Genomics (E&EB 723)
The field of evolutionary biology is increasingly drawing on genomic data, and the field of genomic biology is becoming more evolutionary as genomes are sequenced for a broader diversity of organisms. This course focuses on the evolution of genome sequence and function at macroevolutionary timescales, with an emphasis on building practical computational skills for genomic and phylogenetic comparative analyses. The focus is more on using phylogenies to understand genome evolution than on using genomes to build phylogenies.
Scientific Writing for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology [Grad] (E&EB 725)
This course will provide guidance and practice for graduate students in grant and manuscript writing in the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology. Students will produce one grant application (NSF GRFP/DDIG or similar) and one manuscript for publication (on a topic of their choice, to contribute to their thesis or other ongoing work).
Microbial Ecology and Evolution [Grad] (E&EB 729)
This 1-credit graduate seminar course examines various topics in the ecology and evolution of microbes, with an emphasis on prokaryotes (Eubacteria, Archaea) and single-celled eukaryotes (yeasts, protists). The goal of this course is for the students to develop a quantitative understanding of microbial community ecology, focusing on the mechanisms of community assembly, microbial biogeography, and the role of evolution in structuring microbial communities and endowing them with function. Microbial communities have many unique properties and differ in fundamental ways from those formed by macroscopic organisms. The course will examine these unique properties through readings of the primary literature, including both classic papers and cutting-edge advances in the field. The course will be quantitative in nature, and will explicitly discuss how mathematical models can allow us to understand ecological and evolutionary processes in microbial communities.
Day/Time: W 1:00pm-2:50pm
Life in the Anthropocene [Grad] (E&EB 804)
All living things exist in an era of unprecedented global-scale environmental change. Global change encompasses numerous, often interconnected phenomena that are currently impacting organisms. These include rising temperatures, ocean acidification, habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation, novel pathogens, and toxin exposure. This course focuses on global change from the perspective of the organisms themselves. Our goal as biologists is to understand the magnitude of the problem by addressing the following questions: (1) What are the principal ways in which organisms are being challenged due to human impact? (2) What mechanisms are there for organisms to adaptively respond to these challenges? and (3) What can we do to help organisms? To address these questions, we delve into the scientific literature on distinct topics related to global change, discussing one of these topics in each class meeting. Key papers from the literature are assigned to help guide discussion. This course is discussion-based and interactive; each week a student leads discussion along with the instructor. A secondary goal of the course is to help students improve their written communication abilities, either through a traditional term paper or something else, like a grant application or a dissertation chapter. Depending on the number of students and their goals, we might tackle a review paper together, with the goal of obtaining a peer-reviewed publication.
Prerequisites: introductory biology and evolution.
Professor: Martha Muñoz
Evolving Dynamical Systems [Grad] (E&EB 810)
An introduction to the ways evolving biological systems can be described, modeled, and analyzed by using a dynamical systems approach. Concrete models will be explored with respect to field or laboratory observations. Extensive use will be made of the software package Mathematica, but prior experience with the program is not required.
Professor: J Rimas Vaisnys
The Ecology of the Great Pandemics [Grad] (E&EB 830)
In this course we examine principles of the ecology of infectious disease in light of three pandemics: the 1918 influenza pandemic, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The course covers principles of zooneses, disease emergence, herd immunity, basic vaccinology, and other fundamental concepts. It also focuses on social and cultural factors that fomented these pandemics.
Adaptive Radiation [Grad] (E&EB 834)
One of the most striking patterns of biodiversity is its uneven distribution across the tree of life. Theory suggests that this disparity in diversity reflects feedback between ecological and phenotypic evolution. Adaptive radiations, the rapid multiplication of species into distinct ecological niches, is a key example of this phenomenon. While studies about adaptive radiation have grown exponentially over the past decades, fundamental questions remain. For example, how does phenotypic diversification unfold during radiation? How do species interactions shape species richness in adaptive radiation? Do adaptive radiations play out in parallel across continental and island contexts, or are there repeatable differences among them? The goal of this course is to critically dissect the field of adaptive radiation. Specifically, we unpack its major features and identify unresolved lacunae. To do so, we delve into the scientific literature on distinct topics related to adaptive radiation. Key papers from the literature are assigned to help guide discussion. We begin with a brief survey of recent syntheses on adaptive radiation to refresh our understanding and, most importantly, identify key gaps in empirical knowledge. Then, we explore several studies focused on less-studied axes of adaptive radiation to catalyze our thinking.
Prerequisites: BIOL 103/104 (or equivalent) and E&EB 525 (or equivalent).
Professor: Martha Muñoz, Professor: Thomas Near
Primate Diversity & Evolution [Grad] (E&EB 842)
The diversity and evolutionary history of living and extinct primates. Focus on major controversies in primate systematics and evolution, including the origins and relationships of several groups. Consideration of both morphological and molecular studies. Morphological and diversity and adaptations explored through museum specimens and fossil casts.
The Behavioral Immune System [Grad] (E&EB 854)
Behavior is the first line of defense against parasites and pathogens. Behavioral defenses allow organisms to minimize contact with infectious agents, and the concept of the "behavioral immune system" was developed to encompass a range of evolved behaviors that help minimize the fitness costs of infection. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the term "social distancing" a household term; however, distancing and many other avoidance strategies are employed by a wide range of organisms to combat infectious agents. In this seminar, we examine our current understanding of the behavioral immune system across the diversity of animals, including humans. Specifically, we explore: (1) the mechanisms of behavioral immunity; (2) the ecological, evolutionary, and epidemiological consequences of these behaviors; and (3) key costs of behavioral immunity that maintain intra- and interspecific variation. To do this, we discuss and synthesize the scientific literature on the behavioral immune system, drawing parallels to work on the physiological immune system. The first weeks of the course focus on instructor-selected papers, and subsequent weeks incorporate student-selected papers.
Ecosystem Dynamics of Nature-Based Climate Solutions [Grad] (E&EB 862)
Nature-based climate solutions have gained increasing attention in the past decade as possible contributors to reducing our net carbon emissions to the atmosphere, without necessarily reducing gross emissions. Prominent nature-based solutions include forestation (reforestation, afforestation, plantation forestry), avoided deforestation, and soil carbon sequestration. This seminar includes weekly readings and discussion around themes in the management of ecosystem carbon storage.
This seminar is intended for Ph.D. students. It is open to master's students and undergraduates by permission of the instructor only, based on a one- or two-paragraph description of interest in the course.
Evolutionary Architects: Organisms as Targets and Agents of Natural Selection [Grad] (E&EB 865)
Organisms are routinely faced with many abiotic and biotic pressures that impact their survivorship, growth, and reproductive success. For example, a lizard's ability to perform fitness-based tasks (like foraging or predator evasion) is limited by the thermal dependence of its performance, its hydric and metabolic economy, and its morphological dimensions. Yet, organisms are not exclusively at the whim and mercy of their surroundings. Of key importance is the preeminent role that organisms exert on their own selective environments and, correspondingly, on their evolution. This course considers the diverse ways in which organisms engineer their own evolutionary trajectories. Some of the topics we cover include niche construction, extended phenotypes, behavioral drive, the Bogert effect, and adaptive virulence (particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic).
Open to upper-level undergraduates who have taken BIOL 103, BIOL 104, and E&EB 225 (or the equivalent).
Speciation & Adaptation Genomics [Grad] (E&EB 872)
Speciation and adaptation are two fundamental processes that generate the diversity of life seen on earth to date. This graduate-level seminar course will explore the evolutionary mechanisms responsible for these phenomena by delving into the primary literature to explore classic examples of adaptation and speciation using a genetics and genomics lens.
Research Rotation I [Grad] (E&EB 901)
Research Rotation
Term: Spring , Term: Fall
Research Rotation II [Grad] (E&EB 902)
Research Rotation II
Day/Time: 3 HTBA
Seminar in Systematics [Grad] (E&EB 930)
Topics and class time are chosen by the participants, and have included reading books and/or a series of papers on particular topics (e.g., homology; morphological phylogenetics; evolution of egg colors and exposed nesting in dinosaurs/birds; origin of snake ecology; conflicts between morphology and molecules; role of fossils in phylogenetic inference).
Grad Student Guide
Postdoctoral Appointments
Internal EEB website
Extra-departmental Courses