2024 Faculty Courses School of Life Science and Technology Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
Evolutionary Biology
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
- Instructor(s)
- Yuichi Hongoh / Takehiko Itoh / Mikiko Tanaka / Masaki Kajikawa / Masato Nikaido / Kazunori Tachibana / Kosuke Fujishima /
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon / 5-6 Thu
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LST.A347
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course gives fundamentals of diverse fileds of evolutionary biology, including natural selection , the neutral theory of molecular evolution, origin of life, evolutionary developmental biology, molecular phylogenetics, and also the basis of ecology related to biodiversity.
This course aims to provide fundamental knowledge on evolutionary biology as the basis not only for the field but also for broad fields of life science and technology.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will understand the fundamentals of evolutionary biology, which shall be the basis for broad fields in advanced life science and technology.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
In this lecture, faculty members who have practical experience in genome/gene information analysis in a private company will utilize their practical experience.
Classes will be provided to show that evolutionary biology can be applied not only to basic research at universities but also to useful gene search in private companies.
Keywords
evolution, molecular evolution, evolutionary developmetal biology, genome evolution, molecular phylogenetics, biodiversity, ecology
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Students will learn the topics using PowerPoint and handouts in person. The slides will be uploaded in T2SCHOLA.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Origin of life |
Understand the basis of origin of life |
| Class 2 | Natural selection, neutral theory, species differentiation |
Understand the basic theory of natural selection, neutral evolution, and species differentiation |
| Class 3 | Origin of sex |
Understand how sexual reproduction has emerged and been maintained in many examples |
| Class 4 | Evolution of animal behavior |
Understand the basis of animal behavior and its evolution |
| Class 5 | Biodiversity 1: competition and predation |
Understand the basic theory of competition, and predation in community |
| Class 6 | Biodiversity 2: symbiosis |
Understand the basic theory of symbiosis and its evolution |
| Class 7 | Measuring biodiversity |
Undestand how biodiversity is measured and compared |
| Class 8 | midterm exam |
Review the contents of the 1-7th classes and can explain them |
| Class 9 | Evolution and Development 1 |
Understand the basis for the evolution of multicellular systems in animals |
| Class 10 | Evolution and Development 2 |
Understand the mehanisms of how novel structures are evolved in the body of animals |
| Class 11 | Molecular phylogenetics 1 |
Understand the basic concept for molecular phylogenetic |
| Class 12 | Molecular phylogenetics 2 |
Understand the basis for various methods of molecular phylogenetic analysis |
| Class 13 | Molecular phylogenetics 3 |
Understand the results of molecular phylogenetic analysis shown in papers. |
| Class 14 | Ancient DNA |
Understand the basis of ancient DNA analysis and its application to evolutionary biology |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Not specified.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Not specified.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Evaluated by the midterm and final exam in person.
For "ancient DNA", mini test will be used to score.
Related courses
- Fundamental Life Science 2-2
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Prerequisites
The class level is adjusted to students who have never studied Evolutionary Biology
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
yhongo[at]bio.titech.ac.jp (Prof. Yuichi Hongoh); takehiko[at]bio.titech.ac.jp（Prof. Takehiko Itoh）; mitanaka[at]bio.titech.ac.jp（Prof. Mikiko Tanaka）
Office hours
Contact by e-mail.