No requirements are foreseen to attend this course, apart from basic knowledge of general biology.

The theory of evolution is central in biology since it encompasses all its disciplines allowing to a holistic view of live and its heterogeneity. The course will start with an introduction to evolutionary theories before and after Darwin. It will include topics such as phylogenetics, and the fossil record, the history of life on Earth, biogeography, biodiversity and ecology, genetic and phenotypic variation, speciation, reproductive success, coevolution, development, and macroevolution.

The students will pursue topics across a broad span of interconnected fields, including biogeography, ecosystem biology, community and population biology, organismal biology, molecular ecology, population genetics, genomics, speciation and macroevolution.

Theoretical lessons, including seminars form experts in the field, integrated by round-table sessions (JOURNAL CLUB sessions) on evolutionary biology and evolutionary ecology hot topics, and 4 practical lessons on molecular characterization of biodiversity (20 h)  (6 ECTS in total, 52 hours).

The achievement of the credits attributed to teaching is obtained through a written test with ten multiple choice questions with different degrees of complexity, plus one open-ended question. This will evaluate the learning outcomes acquired by the student. The analysis of answers to the written test will be carried out by direct interview with the teacher. Upon motivated request of the student, the written test is completely replaced by a full oral exam. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths, with possible praise. For each given answer, the student will get up to 1 point, 3 points for the open question, depending on the level of inclusivity and the supporting arguments provided by the answer. Any answer not given will equal to 0 points. To pass the exam it is necessary to obtain a minimum score of 18 points, equal to a grade of 18/30. If the exam is insufficient, or the final score is less than 18, the written test must be repeated. Following a double failure to pass the written test (due to insufficiency or non-acceptance of the grade obtained), the exam can only be taken by interview with the teacher.

D. J. Futuyma. 2005. Evolution. Sinauer Associates

Slides of the lessons