Evolution
- Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 150 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces the fundamental principles of evolution, exploring the historical concepts, population genetics, and the origin of life. It covers topics such as gene frequency, the Hardy-Weinberg principle, polymorphism, mutation, and polyploidy. Students will examine evidence of evolution through fossils, comparative anatomy, and biochemistry. The course also delves into the evolution of plants, classification, phylogeny, and geological periods, providing a comprehensive understanding of evolutionary processes and their impact on biological diversity.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 65 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Basic Biology
- Genetics
- In text questions
- Self assessment exercises
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of BIO307, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
BIO307 · Module 1: Theories of Evolution
Module Introduction In Module One, unit one deals with the historical aspects of ethology, population of genetics, the Hardey-Weinberg Principle and Polymorphism with its different forms.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the historical development of evolutionary thought.
- Apply the principles of population genetics to analyze allele frequencies.
- Describe the mechanisms of mutation and their impact on genetic variation.
- Discuss the evidence supporting the theory of evolution.
- Explain the processes of adaptation and speciation.
- Outline the major events in plant evolution.
- Apply classification and phylogeny to understand evolutionary relationships.
- Interpret the geological time scale and its significance for understanding life's history.
What it prepares you for
- Ecologist
- Evolutionary Biologist
- Geneticist
- Conservation Biologist
- Research Scientist
- Pharmaceuticals
- Agriculture
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Conservation
- Research and Development
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Gene Variation: Types and Causes
Unit 3: Mutation, origin and types
Understanding the different types of mutations (point, frameshift, chromosomal) and their various causes requires careful attention to detail and molecular mechanisms.
- Module 3: Evolution of Life
Unit 2: Evidence of evolution, adaptation and Speciation
The various mechanisms of speciation (allopatric, parapatric, sympatric) and the conditions under which each occurs can be difficult to differentiate and apply to real-world examples.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 75 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Theories of Evolution
Unit 1: History and Mechanisms of Evolution · 5 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the historical background of evolution.. Describe the different schools of thought of the evolutionary process.. Understand Darwin's theory of natural selection..
- Week 2Module 1: Theories of Evolution
Unit 2: Population Genetics · 5 hours
Define Population Genetics.. Describe the History of Population Genetics.. Understand the processes of population genetics..
- Week 3Module 1: Theories of Evolution
Unit 3: Gene Frequency/Equilibrium · 5 hours
Define genetic frequency and equilibrium.. Understand the significance of genetic frequency.. Relate genetic frequency and the Hardy-Weinberg Principle..
- Week 4Module 1: Theories of Evolution
Unit 4: Hardy-Weinberg Principle · 5 hours
Explain the importance of the Hardy-Weinberg Principle.. Apply the Hardy-Weinberg Law in analyzing population genetics for gene frequency, sex linkage, equilibrium, and heterozygote frequency..
- Week 5Module 1: Theories of Evolution
Unit 5: Polymorphism · 5 hours
Define polymorphism.. State and discuss types of polymorphism..
- Week 6Module 2: Gene Variation: Types and Causes
Unit 1: Genetic Variation · 5 hours
Understand the basis for variation.. Highlight the importance of natural selection..
- Week 7Module 2: Gene Variation: Types and Causes
Unit 2: Reshuffling of Genes · 5 hours
Understand the meaning of Genetic recombination.. Understand Chromosomal crossover.. Understand Sexual reproduction..
- Week 8Module 2: Gene Variation: Types and Causes
Unit 3: Mutation, origin and types · 5 hours
Define mutation.. List types of mutation.. Mention causes of mutation..
- Week 9Module 2: Gene Variation: Types and Causes
Unit 4: Polyploidy · 5 hours
Explain the Importance of Polyploidy.. Understand the different Polyploidy in animals and plants..
- Week 10Module 2: Gene Variation: Types and Causes
Unit 5: Isolation mechanisms · 5 hours
Explain what isolation mechanism is.. State the different types of isolation mechanism..
- Week 11Module 3: Evolution of Life
Unit 1: Origin of Life · 5 hours
Explain the origin of life.. Understand the probable stages in the origin of life..
- Week 12Module 3: Evolution of Life
Unit 2: Evidence of evolution, adaptation and Speciation · 5 hours
Explain the different evidence of evolution.. Explain adaptation and Speciation with the different mechanism involved..
- Week 13Module 3: Evolution of Life
Unit 3: Evolution of the plants · 5 hours
Explain plant evolution.. Understand the theories to explain the appearance of a diplobiontic lifecycle..
Unit 4: Classification and phylogeny · 5 hours
Define classification and phylogeny.. List the bases of classification..
Unit 5: Geological periods and epoch · 5 hours
Explain geological time scale and epoch.. Explain the division of earth's history..
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed concept maps linking key evolutionary concepts from Modules 1-3.
- Practice Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium calculations from Unit 4 to solidify understanding.
- Review the different types of mutations and their effects on protein synthesis (Unit 3, Module 2).
- Compare and contrast the evidence for evolution from fossils, anatomy, and biochemistry.
- Focus on understanding the mechanisms of speciation and adaptation.
- Develop timelines of major events in plant evolution and geological history.
- Review all glossary terms and end-of-module questions to reinforce key concepts.
Questions students ask about this course
What is BIO307 about?
This course introduces the fundamental principles of evolution, exploring the historical concepts, population genetics, and the origin of life. It covers topics such as gene frequency, the Hardy-Weinberg principle, polymorphism, mutation, and polyploidy. Students will examine evidence of evolution through fossils, comparative anatomy, and biochemistry. The course also delves into the evolution of plants, classification, phylogeny, and geological periods, providing a comprehensive understanding of evolutionary processes and their impact on biological diversity.
How many units does BIO307 have?
BIO307, Evolution, has 15 units across 3 modules, over 150 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is BIO307?
BIO307 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.
Is BIO307 hard?
BIO307 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work.
How long does BIO307 take to study?
About 65 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is BIO307 assessed?
BIO307 is assessed by in text questions, self assessment exercises, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What do I need before starting BIO307?
Basic Biology Genetics
What can I do with BIO307?
Ecologist, Evolutionary Biologist, Geneticist, Conservation Biologist and Research Scientist.