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Principles of Phylogenetics

General

Prefix

BIOL

Course Number

465

Course Level

Undergraduate

Department/Unit(s)

College/School

College of Science and Engineering

Description

Taxonomy, Linnaean system and codes of nomenclature, homology and character analysis, history of systematics, systematic principles, optimality criteria, divergence-time estimation, character evolution, biogeography, macroevolution.

Prerequisites

Credits

Min

3

Max

3

Repeatable

No

Goals and Diversity

MN Goal Course

No

Cultural Diversity

No

Learning Outcomes

Outcome

Summarize the history of taxonomic classifications and the rules of nomenclature.

Outcome

Demonstrate phylogenetic approaches to classification.

Outcome

Apply the principle of homology to estimating relationships among organisms.

Outcome

Examine the history of systematics and fundamental principles of phylogenetic theory.

Outcome

Assess the differences among optimality criteria (e.g., Parsimony, Likelihood, Bayesian) for identifying optimal hypotheses of evolutionary relationships.

Outcome

Demonstrate methods of phylogenetic reconstruction and divergence-time estimation.

Outcome

Apply principles of biogeography and applications of phylogenetics to studying historical distributions of organisms.

Outcome

Apply methods and applications of phylogenetics, including character evolution.

Outcome

Evaluate the data and conclusions drawn from primary literature, particularly in relation to taxonomy and systematics.

Course Outline

Course Outline

History of systematics, principles of the Linnaean system & codes of nomenclature, species definitions. 15% Principles of homology and character analysis. 10% Fundamentals of phylogenetic theory. 20% Optimality criteria. 20% Methods of phylogenetic reconstruction and divergence-time estimation. 15% Applications of phylogenetics: character evolution, biogeography and macroevolution. 20%

Dependencies

Programs

BIOL465 is a completion requirement for: