Undergraduate Course: Evolutionary Ecology of Life Histories (ZLGY10027)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Zoology |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The natural world contains an enormous diversity of life histories: animals and plants show dramatic variation in fecundity, longevity, investment in offspring, ageing rates, mating systems and much more. This course will show how core principles in evolutionary ecology can be used to understand this variation. We will consider how evolutionary and ecological processes shape life histories, covering natural and sexual selection, the genetic basis of phenotypic variation, phenotypic plasticity, senescence and sex allocation. Two common themes underlying these issues are the role of trade-offs between different components of fitness, and the interaction with environmental conditions. Examples will be drawn from a range of animal and plant systems. Teaching will be by lectures introducing key topics and student-led discussion sessions at which students will give short presentations on selected papers. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | No |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| Students will gain an understanding of core principles of evolutionary ecology and how they can illuminate biological variation, as in life histories. |
Assessment Information
| Centrally arranged examination and course essay. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | zolifehist |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Loeske Kruuk
Tel: (0131 6)50 5515
Email: Loeske.Kruuk@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Pat Dougall
Tel: (0131 6)50 5464
Email: pat.dougall@ed.ac.uk |
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