Evolutionary Ecology

This unit builds on the "Basics of Evolution" unit to introduce the main concepts in evolutionary ecology, with the aim of understanding and formally describing, in a straightforward manner, the evolutionary and ecological mechanisms that shape biodiversity at various levels of integration.

This course unit is designed as a coherent whole in which lectures, tutorials, and lab sessions complement one another. Concepts are introduced through examples and then formalized using mathematical models, which are then tested against experimental results and real-world data.

It will cover population dynamics (intra- and interspecific competition) and ecological niches, and will detail the mechanisms of evolution and their genetic consequences at the population level: natural selection (including sexual selection), the influence of reproductive strategies, and genetic drift. The tutorials will enable students to master the mathematical formalization of concepts covered in class, their simple computer modeling, and the analysis of datasets. The lab sessions will involve conducting and analyzing, in small groups, two experiments lasting one month each (including the writing of a report and an oral presentation) in order to develop scientific methodology and reasoning.

have successfully completed the "Fundamentals of Evolution/From Genotype to Phenotype" module

-Understand the mechanisms and processes that give rise to biodiversity

-Understand and be able to apply the various approaches and tools used in evolutionary biology and ecology: observation, sampling, experimentation, modeling, and statistical analysis

-Understand the mechanisms of evolution and their qualitative effects (mutation, genetic drift, natural selection, migration)

-Understand the biodemographic and evolutionary strategies of organisms, in relation to their resources, their interactions, and the characteristics of their environment

-Be able to formally describe the effects of selection and mating system on allele and genotype frequencies from one generation to the next (fundamentals of population genetics)

-Be able to interpret differences and variations in allele and genotype frequencies within populations

-Be able to formulate simple population dynamics models

-Understand the rules and conventions of oral, written, and electronic communication

-Be able to develop a logical argument using critical thinking (identifying limitations, cross-referencing with the literature, defending a point of view)

-Know how to extract relevant information from a document (graph, text, statement)

-Be able to give a short oral presentation on a topic covered in class

-Be able to write a scientific research and/or literature review report of a few pages

-Be able to present information in a visual format (graph, diagram, drawing, photo, video)

-Be able to create a scientific communication piece (written text, poster, slide presentation)

-Be able to formulate a research question or testable hypothesis based on a question

-Be able to propose and implement, with guidance, an observational approach, a sampling plan, or an experimental approach

-Be able to analyze data obtained through observation or experimentation

-Be able to use computer tools to enter, analyze, and save data (spreadsheet, R)

-Be able to use computer software to create and save documents (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software)

Knowing how to successfully carry out a project as part of a group

-Be able to self-assess and question oneself in order to learn

-Knowing how to position oneself within a group in order to carry out the project.

-The ability to listen and communicate with others, both one-on-one and in a work group