BIO1: Ecology and Evolution (4 Units)

Overview

This course introduces the foundational principles of ecology and evolution, emphasizing natural selection's role in biological sciences. Units: 4 units (3 lecture, 1 discussion).

Topical Description and Schedule (DRAFT)

Key Topics

Students will explore population and community ecology, ecosystems, species interactions, natural selection, population genetics, speciation, phylogenetics ("tree-thinking"), and the history of life on Earth.

New Approach
  • Small TA-led discussion groups reinforce lecture learning goals.
  • Reduced content coverage in some areas to ensure foundational concepts are well understood, leaving advanced details for upper-division courses.
Curricular Changes
  • Continued coverage of population and community ecology, ecosystems, species interactions, natural selection, population genetics, and conservation biology.
  • Covers the basics of “tree-thinking” (phylogenetics) and the history of life on Earth.
  • Reduced depth in many areas, and elimination of some materials currently covered better at the upper division level.

BIO1 Lecture and Discussion Topics

  • The scientific method and characteristics of living things: How do we approach scientific study? What is life? What is biodiversity?
  • Functional diversity and acclimation/adaptation: What challenges do organisms face in the realms of physiological function and resources acquisition? What adaptations do they have to meet these challenges?
  • Population growth models, life tables, and demographics: How do positive and negative feedbacks drive population size? How do scientists quantify population sizes and growth?
  • Natural selection and adaptation: Why do organisms appear so well suited to their environment?
  • Inheritance and heredity: How are traits passed down from parent to offspring?
  • Population genetics and Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium: What mechanisms drive evolutionary change?
  • Speciation and evolution as a branching process: How do new species arise?
  • Biological diversity and community ecology and their relationship to matter and energy: How is diversity maintained? What factors influence trophic interactions?
  • History and future of life: How has life changed over Earth’s history, and how is it changing now? How have humans influenced evolutionary trajectories, species interactions, and biodiversity?
  • Integrated throughout these modules will be themes relating to quantitative skills and practicing the process of science