Gregory Velicer: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2018

Name Prof. Dr. Gregory Velicer
FieldEvolutionary Biology
Address
Professur f. Evolutionsbiologie
ETH Zürich, CHN K 11
Universitätstrasse 16
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 88 00
E-mailgregory.velicer@env.ethz.ch
URLhttps://evo.ethz.ch
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
701-0245-00LIntroduction to Evolutionary Biology
Does not take place this semester.
Change of semester: This lecture will be offered next time in Spring 2019.
2 credits2VG. Velicer, S. Wielgoss
AbstractThis course introduces important questions about the evolutionary processes involved in the generation and maintenance of biological diversity across all domains of life and how evolutionary science investigates these questions.
ObjectiveThis course introduces important questions about the evolutionary processes involved in the generation and maintenance of biological diversity across all domains of life and how evolutionary science investigates these questions. The topics covered range from different forms of selection, phylogenetic analysis, population genetics, life history theory, the evolution of sex, social evolution to human evolution. These topics are important for the understanding of a number of evolutionary problems in the basic and applied sciences.
ContentTopics likely to be covered in this course include research methods in evolutionary biology, adaptation, evolution of sex, evolutionary transitions, human evolution, infectious disease evolution, life history evolution, macroevolution, mechanisms of evolution, phylogenetic analysis, population dynamics, population genetics, social evolution, speciation and types of selection.
LiteratureTextbook:
Evolutionary Analysis
Scott Freeman and Jon Herron
5th Edition, English.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe exam is based on lecture and textbook.
701-1427-00LExperimental Evolution4 credits2SG. Velicer, A. Hall, S. Wielgoss, Y.‑T. N. Yu
AbstractStudents will analyze experimental evolution literature covering a wide range of questions, species and types of analysis and will lead discussions of this literature. Students will develop a written project proposal for a novel evolution experiment (or a novel analysis of a published experiment) to address an unanswered question and will also deliver an oral presentation of the project proposal.
ObjectiveCourse objectives:
i) become familiar with a diverse sample of experimental evolution literature,
ii) gain understanding of the strengths and limitations of experimental evolution for addressing evolutionary questions relative to other forms of evolutionary analysis, and
iii) gain the ability to effectively design and analyze evolution experiments that address fundamental or applied questions in evolutionary biology.
ContentExperimental evolution is a powerful and increasingly prominent approach to investigating evolutionary processes. Students will analyze experimental evolution literature covering a diverse range of topics, species and types of analysis and will lead discussions of this literature. Students will develop a written project proposal for a novel evolution experiment (or a novel analysis of a published experiment) to address an unanswered question and will also deliver an oral presentation of the project proposal. Evaluation will be based on a combination of participation in and leadership of literature discussions, in-class exams, and oral and written presentations of the project proposal.
LiteraturePrimary research papers and review articles.
Prerequisites / Notice701-0245-00 Introduction to Evolutionary Biology (or equivalent).
701-1460-00LEcology and Evolution: Term Paper Restricted registration - show details 5 credits11AT. Städler, S. Bonhoeffer, A. Hall, J. Jokela, J. Levine, G. Velicer, A. Widmer
AbstractIndividual writing of an essay-type review paper about a specialized topic in the field of ecology and evolution, based on substantial reading of original literature and discussions with a senior scientist.
Objective- Students acquire a thorough knowledge on a topic in which they are particularly interested
- They learn to assess the relevance of original literature and synthesize information
- They make the experience of becoming "experts" on a topic and develop their own perspective
- They practise academic writing according to professional standards in English
ContentTopics for the essays are proposed by the professors and lecturers of the major in Ecology and Evolution at a joint meeting at the beginning of the semester (the date will be communicated by e-mail to registered students).
Students will:
- choose a topic
- search and read appropriate literature
- develop a personal view on the topic and structure their arguments
- prepare figures and tables to represent ideas or illustrate them with examples
- write a clear, logical and well-structured text
- refine the text and present the paper according to professional standards

In all steps, they will benefit from the advice and detailed feedback given by a senior scientist acting as personal tutor of the student.
Lecture notesReading of articles in scientific journals