Evolution

(tylko po angielsku) Knowledge:

Students:

- Know facts supporting the theory of organic evolution;

- Are acquainted with the history of life on Earth;

- Understand methodological framework used to study the evolutionary processes;

- Know basic mathematical models applicable to study the mechanisms of evolution;

- Understand the central role of natural selection as the only mechanism producing adaptations;

- Understand the role of evolutionary theory as the unifying theory in biology

Practical skills:

Students:

- Are able to use simple mathematical models to develop an understanding of the evolutionary processes;

- Can present convincing evidence supporting the theory of evolution;

- Are able use the existing resources to collect and summarize the state-of-the-art information about a particular problem within the field of evolutionary biology;

- can present results of an empirical research in a clearly written, evidence-based report, and discuss the relevance of the results for the field

Social competence:

Students:

- Accept the role of the theory of evolution in explaining the diversity and history of life;

- Appreciate and are able to communicate to non-scientific community the need for using empirical evidence to evaluate hypotheses regarding the basis of natural processes;

Can effectively cooperate with other students in planning and conducting experiments relevant to the field of evolutionary biology

(tylko po angielsku) Before each subunit students will write a test checking their knowledge and understanding of the subunit contents. Results are not taken into account for the final grade. According to individual answers, additional reading and/or tutoring will be recommended to some students; if the total number of students allows, one group will start with basics of a given subunit, to give student the opportunity to start from a lower level.

Students cannot skip more than 6 hours of classes (10 if the absence is formally justified for all hours). Accumulation of some number of points on tests performed at exercise classes is also required to pass the practical classes.

Only after completing and passing the practicals the students can sit to the exam

Conditions of passing the final exam:

The pass threshold will be 50% and the grading scale will be as follows:

(%) Grade

- < 50%: 2.0

- > 50%: 3.0

- > 58%: 3.5

- > 66%: 4.0

- > 74%: 4.5

- > 82%: 5.0

(tylko po angielsku) - Lectures;

- Practical training with computers;

- Practical training of theoretical problems;

- Individual work;

- Individual work in small groups (2 – 4 students);

- Individual or small group consultations (instructors will be available for the students at least 1 hour/week)