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701-0245-00L 2 Credits BSC D-HEST , D-BIOL , D-CHAB , D-USYS

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Evolutionary Analysis

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Gregory Velicer, Dr. Sebastien Wielgoss

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:08:11

Abstract

Objective

This course introduces important questions about the evolutionary processes involved in the generation and maintenance of biological diversity across all domains of life and how evolutionary science investigates these questions. The topics covered range from different forms of selection, phylogenetic analysis, population genetics, life history theory, the evolution of sex, social evolution to human evolution. These topics are important for the understanding of a number of evolutionary problems in the basic and applied sciences.

Content

Topics likely to be covered in this course include research methods in evolutionary biology, adaptation, evolution of sex, evolutionary transitions, human evolution, infectious disease evolution, life history evolution, macroevolution, mechanisms of evolution, phylogenetic analysis, population dynamics, population genetics, social evolution, speciation and types of selection.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture slides, Papers, and Online Tools

Literature

Main Textbook: Evolutionary Analysis Scott Freeman and Jon Herron 5th Edition, English. Minor resource: Evolutionary Parasitology Paul Schmid-Hempel 2nd edition, English.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: written 90 minutes
Aids: Taschenrechner (keine privaten Geräte; Taschenrechner wird an der Prüfung zur Verfügung gestellt)Fachneutrales Wörterbuch für nicht deutsch sprechende Studierende erlaubtSubject-neutral dictionary for non-German speaking students allowed

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Evolutionary Analysis	Thu 10:15-12:00 (NO C 60)	2 h weekly

Offered In

Biology Bachelor
- Bachelor Studies (Programme Regulations 2013)
  - 2. Year, 4. Semester
    - Elective Blocks
      - Biodiversity
      - Cellular and Molecular Biology
Environmental Sciences Bachelor
- Basic Courses II
  - Examination Blocks
    - Examination Block 3
Food Science Bachelor
- Electives (A list with possible electives will be published separately.)
Interdisciplinary Sciences Bachelor
- Physical-Chemical Direction
  - 4. Semester (Physical-Chemical Direction)
    - Electives (The Bachelor's programme in Interdisciplinary Sciences allows students to choose from any subject taught at a Bachelor's level at ETH Zurich. In consultation with the Director of Studies of Interdisciplinary Sciences, every student must establish his/her own individual study programme at the beginning of the 2nd year. See the Programme Regulations 2018 for further details.)
- Biochemical-Physical Direction
  - 4. Semester (Biochemical-Physical Direction)
    - Electives (The Bachelor's programme in Interdisciplinary Sciences allows students to choose from any subject taught at a Bachelor's level at ETH Zurich. In consultation with the Director of Studies of Interdisciplinary Sciences, every student must establish his/her own individual study programme at the beginning of the 2nd year. See the Programme Regulations 2018 for further details.)