Biology: Molecular Ecology and Evolution

<p>BIOR25</p><p>In this course you will learning basic theory and understanding of the most important molecular genetic methods used in modern ecological and evolutionary research projects. Central is to understand the importance of genetic variation for speciation, population differentiation and adaptations of individuals to different environments, for example adaptations between hosts and their parasites. After the course, you are expected to master the basics of different types of methods used to detect and analyze variation at gene, genome and protein levels within and between individuals, populations and species. The course is mainly based on practical learning through wet labs (DNA extraction, PCR, DNA sequencing) and computer exercises (editing of DNA sequences that you obtain during the course, phylogeny and various programs for analysis of DNA sequences). Emphasis is also placed on improving your ability to assimilate and critically review scientific articles based on molecular genetic data and analyses. This is practiced in the form of book and literature seminars as well as an individual literature project. The course ends with a research project that is carried out in small groups, where you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in one or more of the methods and problems that have been discussed earlier in the course.</p>