Powell Lab at Binghamton University
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Coevolution - Biol 680/480

Coevolution is reciprocal evolutionary change across species interactions, including predator/prey, mutualism, host/parasite, and host/pathogen systems. The class will cover diverse examples as well as the theoretical underpinnings of coevolution using a mix of lectures, reading and discussion of the primary literature, and student-led presentations and discussions. The course will provide opportunities for students to explore the role of coevolutionary processes in not only natural ecological communities but also in relation to human biology and disease. Prereq- BIOL 351 or via instructor permission

coevolution_480_680_syllabus.pdf



Mechanisms of Evolution (core undergraduate evolution course) - Biol 351

Evolution is simply the change of allele frequencies in populations, but the process that drives these changes serves as the unifying framework for all of modern biology. The field of evolutionary biology involves taking relatively simple premises and understanding how they play out in marvelously complex ways in nature. As Darwin wrote in On the Origin of Species “...from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful have been, and are being, evolved.”

Evolution was the engine that built not only all of life’s diversity in form (producing the millions of species inhabiting the earth) but also life’s diversity in function. Evolution is the process that builds and shapes biochemical pathways, genome structure, physiological regulatory mechanisms, and the virulence of pathogens. Thus, the subject isn’t just about patterns in the fossil record or esoteric adaptations in animals, and it certainly isn’t just about human origins. Rather, the subject is concerned with providing a comprehensive and dynamic view of the living world.

The course can essentially be divided into three parts. After a brief historical overview, we first deal with the basic nuts and bolts of evolutionary biology – how allele frequencies change in populations and how these genetic changes relate to phenotypes. Then, we explore a number of ways that these basic mechanisms play out in nature. Finally, we  finish the semester by zooming out to look at some of the patterns of biodiversity that these processes have driven over the history of life.

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 biol351_syllabus_2017.pdf

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Biostatistics - Biol 437/558, R-based stats course that serves advanced undergraduate and graduate students.

437_syllabus_2018_final.pdf



Advanced Evolution (graduate level evolutionary biology survey course) -  Biol 533
 Co-taught with Anthony Fiumera

     533_syllabus_2017.pdf

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