IA Evolution Biology : Genetics teaching components

Segments of the course taught by members of the Department of Genetics :

Dr John Welch : Evolutionary Genetics

8 lectures:

1. Introducing evolutionary genetics
2. Genetic changes in populations: selection and drift
3. Natural selection in context
4. The genetics and evolution of quantitative traits
5. Adaptation and apparent design
6. Some ongoing debates in evolutionary genetics
7. On the origin of species
8. Phylogenies and lineages over time

Genetics and evolution are two of the great unifying themes in biology. These lectures will introduce the major methods and tools that are used by evolutionary geneticists to understand earth’s biodiversity. The aim is to provide you with the means to think clearly about evolution, and to answer your own questions about the natural world. The lectures will move from mutation – the ultimate origin of genetic variation – via the processes of random genetic drift, and natural selection, to the formation of new species, and macroevolutionary patterns.

Practicals

A significant contribution is made by the Department

Further information about the course

Course Organiser : Beverly Glover, bjg26@cam.ac.uk 

Course Administrator : Zoology Teaching Office, teaching@zoo.cam.ac.uk

Contributing Departments : Zoology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Plant Sciences, Psychology and Biological Anthropology

Page updated 31/07/2025