Applying Modern Evolutionary Thinking to Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology

BCH 2024H

In this course we will review the literature on modern evolutionary theory and discuss how this applies to biochemistry, cell and molecular biology.

Topics will include:

  • The Nearly Neutral Theory of Evolution
  • Genetic and Mutational Load
  • Pluralism in Evolutionary Thinking
  • Junk DNA
  • Ascribing Function to Biological Systems
  • Constructive Neutral Evolution
  • Applying Nearly Neutral Theory to Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology

The class will meet once a week for one hour over 9 weeks total.

Class 1) April 3rd – class organizational. Reading list will be handed out.

Classes 2-8) April 10th, 17th, 24th, May 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd. Students will discuss the assigned papers in a one hour group session online through Zoom.

Class 9) May 29th. Students will turn in a one page draft proposal on the topic they will cover (applying modern evolutionary thinking to one particular field in Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology). The students will exchange drafts and provide feedback to each other.

Students will hand in a two page final proposal that is due June 5th.

Course Next Offered

April-May 2020

Course Time and Location

Fridays 9AM-10AM over Zoom.

Prerequisites

None

Enrollment Limit

Yes — 10

Method of Student Evaluation

60% Participation
10% One page draft proposal
30% Final two page proposal

Coordinator

Alexander F. Palazzo

Alexander F. Palazzo

MaRS, West Tower, Suite 1500
661 University Ave.

416-978-7234
alex.palazzo@utoronto.ca

Last Updated 29 March 2020