Evolutionary Biology

This particular core course has been specifically designed for the students enrolled at College or University level in the subject of Zoology as per the UGC approved curriculum. The present core course can also be chosen by undergraduate students studying in the arenas of relevant biological science disciplines encompassing Life-Science, Microbiology, Botany, Genetics, Palaeontology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Environmental Science, Biomedical Technology, Cancer Biology, Clinical Research, Bioinformatics and Medical science. The strategic planning of course units is as per the CBCS approved syllabus for Zoology. The structural organization of current core course splendidly covers all the essential aspects of evolutionary field. The course will give an introductory outline of basic Concept of Evolution. The course will also provide descriptive background about Origin of Life on the earth including Evolution of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells. The course will mainly focus on the explanation of various theories of evolution comprising of Lamarckism, Darwinism and Neo-Darwinism. The course will elaborately emphasize Evidences of Evolution in terms of Analogy, Homology, Paleontological Evidences, Embryological Evidences and Molecular Phylogeny. The course will also highlight Geological Time Scale and Neutral Theory of Molecular Evolution in brief. This particular course will also impart comprehensive knowledge regarding principle Sources of Variation responsible for evolution. During this course, the course learners will be imparted extremely comprehensive understanding regarding key concepts of Population Genetics in terms of Hardy-Weinberg Law, Genetic Drift along with different Types of Natural Selection. The course will also provide adequate information about Micro-evolutionary changes, Speciation and Adaptive Radiation. The course will also cover detailed overview of Extinctions and its types. Apart from all these, the course will also discuss the Origin and Evolution of Man. The course will also impart glimpse of Phylogenetic Trees and explain their construction along with interpretation. Additionally, the course will also provide supplementary study material in order to explore various aspects of evolutionary biology field.
Objectives of the course (100 words): The present core course on Evolutionary Biology has been magnificently designed with the perspective to achieve following principle objectives: ⦁ To provide comprehensive overview of Concept of Evolution. ⦁ To explain Origin of Life especially Prokaryotes as well as Eukaryotes in detail. ⦁ To explore salient features of various theories of evolution comprising of Lamarckism, Darwinism and Neo-Darwinism. ⦁ To impart detailed understanding of Analogy, Homology, Paleontological Evidences, Embryological Evidences and Molecular Phylogeny. ⦁ To provide adequate information about Geological Time Scale and Neutral Theory of Molecular Evolution. ⦁ To develop comprehensive knowledge regarding various Sources of Variations and their role in evolution. ⦁ To give detailed explanation of key concepts of Population Genetics in terms of Hardy-Weinberg Law, Genetic Drift and Types of Natural Selection. ⦁ To provide adequate knowledge about Micro-evolutionary changes, Speciation and Adaptive Radiation. ⦁ To give detailed outline of Extinctions and its types. ⦁ To impart descriptive knowledge regarding Origin and Evolution of Man. ⦁ To provide glimpse of Phylogenetic Trees and highlight their construction along with interpretation. Eligibility for enrollment (25 words): Those who have passed students (10 + 2) with biological subject with at least 55% marks and at present studying Zoology at undergraduate level. Course prerequisite, intended audience and reading materials: ⦁ Pre-requisite for admission in this course will be 10+2 with any biological subject with at least 55% marks. ⦁ Intended for the undergraduate students studying in the arenas of relevant biological science disciplines encompassing Life-Science, Microbiology, Botany, Genetics, Palaeontology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Environmental Science, Biomedical Technology, Cancer Biology, Clinical Research, Bioinformatics and Medical science. ⦁ Reading Materials References and Web links have been provided in 3rd quadrant in all the lectures. Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course, the students will be able to learn most of the essential aspects of Evolutionary Biology in detail which will help them in acquiring better understanding regarding the subject.  

COURSE LAYOUT Unit-1: Life’s Beginnings   Lecture 1: Concept of Evolution Lecture 2: Origin of Life Lecture 3: Origin of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes Unit-2: Historical Review of Evolutionary Concept   Lecture 4: Theories of Evolution
Unit-3: Evidences of Evolution   Lecture 5: Analogy and Homology Lecture 6: Embryological Evidences of Evolution Lecture 7: Evolutionary Paleontological Evidences Lecture 8: Molecular Phylogeny Unit-4: Sources of Variations   Lecture 9: Variation and Mutations   Unit-5: Population Genetics   Lecture 10: Hardy-Weinberg Law & Genetic Drift Lecture 11: Types of Natural Selection
Unit-6: Product of Evolution   Lecture 12: Micro-evolutionary Changes Lecture 13: Concept of Species & Speciation Lecture 14: Adaptive Radiation   Unit-7: Extinctions   Lecture 15: Extinctions - An Overview

Unit-8: Origin of Man   Lecture 16: Evolution of Man   Unit-9: Phylogenetic Trees   Lecture 17: Study of Phylogenetic Trees

Supplementary Study Material

Supplementary Lecture 1: Serial Homology Supplementary Lecture 2: Phylogenetic Analysis Supplementary Lecture 3: Species-An Overview