Biology 181 - Adaptation & Organism

Spring
2018
01
4.00
Ethan Clotfelter, Sarah Goodwin, Thea Kristensen
MWF 10:00AM-10:50AM
Amherst College
BIOL-181-01-1718S
MEAD 115
edclotfelter@amherst.edu; sgoodwin@amherst.edu; tkristensen@amherst.edu

An introduction to the evolution, ecology, and behavior of organisms and how these relate to the diversity of life. Following a discussion of the core components of evolutionary theory, we'll examine how evolutionary processes have shaped morphological, anatomical, physiological, and behavioral adaptations in organisms that solve many of life's problems, ranging from how to find or acquire food and avoid being eaten, to how to attract and locate mates, and how to optimize reproduction throughout a lifetime. We'll relate and compare characteristics of animals, plants, fungi, protists, and bacteria, examining how and why these organisms have arrived at various solutions to life's problems. Laboratory exercises will complement lectures and will involve field experiments on natural selection and laboratory studies of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. Four classroom hours and three laboratory hours per week.


Spring semester.  Professors Clotfelter and Miller; Lab Coordinators Emerson and Kristensen.


 
Permission is required for interchange registration during the add/drop period only.