Evolution

We teach the following courses for PhD students at CSIR-CCMB.

A module on Evolution (1 credit - AcSIR-03-ID-004) - compulsory course
A course on Evolution (2 credits - AcSIR-03-BS-AD-008) - optional course

We discuss the theory of natural selection, the history of life and rocks, DNA and Heritability, the Tree of Life – Systematics and Phylogenetics, micro to macroevolutionary patterns and processes, including populations genetics, speciation, biogeography and diversification.

Lastly, we learn about different approaches, frameworks and tools applied in evolutionary studies, including experimental, theoretical and observational lab and filed based studies.

We also have guest lectures by evolutionary biologists during the course. This year we heard from Bharti Dharapuram, Dr Manvi Sharma and Dr Nikhil Gaitonde.

Instructor - Jahnavi Joshi

We use the following books and online resources while teaching the evolution course.

Reference books:

Evolution: Making sense of life by Carl Zimmer, Douglas J. Emlen
The beak of the Finch: A story of the Evolution in Our Time by Jonathan Weiner
In the Light of Evolution, Essays from the Laboratory and Field. Edited by Jonathan Losos

Online resources:

Evolution: Education and Outreach: https://evolution-outreach.springeropen.com/
Understanding Evolution: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: http://humanorigins.si.edu/education/teaching-evolution-through-human-examples