Evo Devo Fall2011
EEB 5333, Fall 2011
Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Meeting Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-3:15 pm in TLS 301
Description
This is an advanced course that explores the interface between evolutionary biology and developmental biology. In addition to considering how developmental pathways evolve, and the developmental basis of phenotypic evolution, we will ask what novel insights emerge from a synthesis of these fields. Major topics to be considered include: developmental constraints, homology, plasticity, novelty and evolvability.
Instructors
Dr. Elizabeth Jockusch
Office: Biology/Pharmacy 305B
Phone: (860) 486-4452
Office hours: by appointment
Dr. Carl Schlichting
Office: Torrey Life Sciences 366
Phone: (860) 486-4056
Office hours: by appointment
Format
This course has a mixed lecture/discussion format. In general, Tuesdays will be used for lectures that provide an overview and background information. Thursdays will be dedicated to student-led discussion based on reading from the literature.
Expectations and Grading
We expect everyone to participate actively in the class. In order to help prepare for discussions, you should write a brief (<1 page) reaction piece to each set of readings, highlighting your thoughts about the readings, connections between them or questions raised by them. This will be handed in each week. Responsibility for leading the discussions will rotate. You are required to complete an independent project on a topic of your choice. Appropriate topics will integrate diverse data types or theoretical models and empirical information, and allow you to explore a particular example or concept in greater depth. You should discuss your choice of topics with one of us no later than Friday, October 28. The last week of class will be devoted to presentations and discussions based on these projects. You will be in charge of assigning a paper relevant to your presentation. There will be one take-home exam due the day of the Final Exam (Tuesday, December 13). It will consist of one or several essay questions that will ask you to integrate the knowledge that you have acquired during the course. Final course grades will be based on discussion contributions (50%, including participation, leading discussion, and reaction pieces), individual projects (25%, based on the presentation and paper) and the final exam (25%)
Topics and Readings
Aug. 30-Sept 1: Overview of evolutionary developmental biology
Sept. 6-8: The molecular building blocks of development
Sept. 13-15: Novelty at the molecular level
Sept. 20-22: Morphological novelty
Sept. 27-29: Development and homoplasy
Oct. 4-6: Development and homology
Oct. 11-13: Developmental constraints and evolution
Oct. 18-20: Evolution of developmental pathways
Oct. 25-27: Developmental network structure
Nov. 2-4: RNAi silencing and other mechanisms of gene regulation
Nov. 9-11: Developmental modules
Nov. 16-18: Evolvability
Nov. 22-24: Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 29-Dec. 1: XXXX
Dec. 6-8: Project presentations