This in-depth, multi-part course takes you through evolutionary theory and mechanisms, from definitions to details, natural selection to genetic drift, mutations to punctuated equilibrium.
This image of polydactyly illustrates one symptom of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, which is commonly found in the Amish. Ellis-van Creveld is one example of the founder effect and genetic drift.
The evolution of populations is examined by simulations over 5 to 10 generations. Students use playing cards to simulate random mating, and then modify the mating to illustrate more natural conditions. With the addition of computer simulations, the same evolutionary principles may be applied to many generations. Discussion topics include the importance of genetic drift and mutation as the sources of raw material for evolution, the maintenance of recessive alleles in populations, and the role natural selection may play in changing allele frequencies.
This laboratory exercise features a physical and computer simulation of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
This course presents the principles of evolution, ecology, and behavior for students beginning their study of biology and of the environment. It discusses major ideas and results in a manner accessible to all Yale College undergraduates. Recent advances have energized these fields with results that have implications well beyond their boundaries: ideas, mechanisms, and processes that should form part of the toolkit of all biologists and educated citizens.
Your one-stop source for learning and teaching about evolution. This website includes information about how evolution works, how evolution impacts our lives, evidence for evolution, and the history of evolutionary thought. There's also an entire Understanding Evolution for Teachers sub-site, which includes lesson plans, a conceptual framework, and discussion of classroom situations that may arise when teaching evolution.
