ZL5061:03
Evolutionary Ecology
Townsville, Cairns
Prerequisites: Consult HoS
Inadmissable Subject Combination: ZL3061
26 lectures, 13 tutorials. Second semester.
Available to students enrolled for the degrees of MSc; a two semester customised DipResMeth (in lieu of Masters Qual); MAppSc; BAppSc or Graduate Diplomas.
Staff: Dr S Robson.
Classical ecology is concerned with unchanging organisms, but real animals evolve as a result of natural selection. This subject will explore how evolution and ecology interact, examining how ecological factors cause natural selection, how the resulting natural selection changes the morphology, physiology, behaviour and life-history properties of animals and how these changes result in ecological changes. Exploration of biological factors which prevent or slow biological change and changes in ecology. Students will be required to attend ZL3061 lectures and practicals.
Learning Objectives:
- gain familiarity with ecological causes of natural selection;
- detect and measure natural selection;
- predict the outcome of natural selection;
- understand the biological factors that constrain the action of natural selection and the evolution of ecological phenomena.
Assessment by on-course tests, assignment, final examination and essay.