This course is an introduction to the “tree of life” (phylogeny): its conceptual origins, methods of discovery and analysis, and importance to evolutionary biology and other areas of science. Topics include sources of data, optimality criteria, strategies for searching tree space, methods for studying the tempo and mode of trait evolution and lineage diversification, and applications to coevolution, biogeography, conservation, epidemiology, and forensics.
As of fall 2023 we have moved all course content to Canvas. If you would like access to lecture slides, labs, etc., please contact Rick Ree or Andrew Hipp.