Time Schedule:
Lorenz Hauser
FISH 510
Seattle Campus
Contemporary problems and issues in genetics and physiology as they relate to fisheries and aquatic sciences.
Class description
Human activities have affected virtually all environments on earth, and so have, mostly unintentionally, caused widespread and rapid evolutionary change. Examples for such rapid evolution include pesticide resistance, domestication, adaptation to pollution, warming temperatures or acidic oceans, and phenotypic changes in exploited populations. Although human-induced evolution in wild populations was already noted by Darwin, the molecular genetic basis underlying commonly observed phenotypic changes is still relatively unknown. In this class, we will discuss examples of human induced evolution, with particular consideration of the genetic basis of such adaptation, and in particular, any insights into genetic mechanisms now possible by next generation sequencing technologies. The class will be mostly student-led, with teams of students presenting papers of their choice and leading discussions. Some sessions will also feature invited speakers who will present case studies in their field of expertise.
Student learning goals
Have an overview of human induced evolutionary change
Have a good understanding of the application of genetics and genomics to investigate rapid evolutionary change
Be able to critically review published manuscripts
Be able to present and discuss published manuscripts in a wider context
General method of instruction
Teams of students will present papers of their choice in class, which will then be discussed by the whole class. Some external speakers will be invited who will share their own expertise on the topic
Recommended preparation
Each speaker will provide reading material, usually published reviews and empirical papers, which students should read before class.
Class assignments and grading
Reading of papers and participation in the discussion is required to obtain credit for this class.
