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.