Course Overview

[Lectures] This course is to introduce the fundamentals and methodology on research of molecular evolution. We will introduce the evolutionary changes and patterns of sequences, methods for phylogenetic analyses, and inferring sites under positive selection. Topics on recent advances of molecular evolution studies will be offered at the end, on phylogenomics, horizontal gene transfer, and genome evolution. Students are highly recommended to take evolution, genetics or equivalent subjects before taking this course. Laboratory practice will be offered for students to be familiar with data retrieving, analyses and interpretation. Homework assignments will be distributed weekly, which require substantial extra work time. [Laboratory Practice] We will have computers available in class, but you are welcome to bring your own laptop computer. In the later case, you should download the corresponding software before the class. Date sets will be provided for the homework assignments but you are welcome to use your own data for the final presentation project.

Learning Achievement

In combination with the computer laboratory practice, we aim to help our students to understand the evolutionary processes at the molecular level.

Competence

Course prerequisites

Biology; Evolutionary Biology; Genetics or equivalent preferred.

Grading Philosophy

Course schedule

Course type

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Chau Titing

Other information

(College of Life Science) Institute of Life Science,
(College of Life Science) Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,
(College of Life Science) Department of Life Science

Site for Inquiry