BIOS3100 – Evolution
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course provides a thorough introduction to modern evolutionary science, with an emphasis on phenotypic evolution, life history theory, adaptation, speciation and macroevolution.
Learning outcome
After completing the course you have:
- Good understanding of basic concepts within the theory of evolution such as phylogeny, natural selection, fitness, plasticity, adaptation, speciation, inheritance and genetic variation.
- Good understanding of the main principles of quantitative genetics so that you can perform calculations of the evolution of phenotypic characters.
- Knowledge of how different life history strategies (organism growth, development and reproduction) can be explained through adaptation and natural selection.
- Knowledge of the processes that give rise to new species, the main features of the evolution of life on Earth and the factors that determine the geographic distribution of organisms.
- Insight into how evolution takes place over different time scales, and how micro- and macroevolution is linked.
- Gained experience in finding, acquainting yourself with, critically evaluating and disseminating research literature in writing and orally.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
Priority will be given to students in the bachelor program in Biosciences.
Special admission requirements
In addition to fulfilling the?Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
- Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2)
And in addition one of these:
- Mathematics R2
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
Mathematics R2 was a requirement up until and including the study year 2021/2022, as part of a trial arrangement. From and including the study year 2022/2023, Mathematics R2 is no longer a requirement.
The special admission requirements may also be covered by?equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies?(in Norwegian).
Recommended previous knowledge
BIOS1140 – Evolusjon og genetikk
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with BIOS4100 – Evolution.
- 6 credits overlap with BIO2120 – Evolutionary Biology (discontinued).
Teaching
Lectures
Colloquia
Seminars with calculations
Mandatory assignments
Essay Writing (Mandatory)
Mandatory course work must be approved before the student can attend the exam.
Attendance to the first lecture is mandatory.?If you are unable to attend the first lecture you will lose your seat on the course if you do not inform the student administration?studieinfo@ibv.uio.no?prior to the first lecture.
Approved mandatory course work is valid for 3 years.
Access to teaching: A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Mandatory essay counts 30% towards the final mark. You submit your essay in the exam system Inspera.?Read more about how to submit assignments in Inspera.??When writing your essay?make sure to familiarize yourself with the?rules for use of sources and citations.?Breach of these rules may lead to suspicion of?attempted cheating.
Final written exam?which counts 70% towards?the final mark.
Mandatory course work must be approved before the student can attend the exam.
Approved mandatory course work are valid for 3 years.?New essay must be submitted each semester.
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following BIOS4100 – Evolution.
Examination support material
Calculator will be available in Inspera during the exam.
Language of examination
You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.