BB512: Population and Evolution
The Study Board for Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N100007102
Assessment: Second examiner: Internal
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N100007101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 27-03-2025
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
The student is expected to have a basic understanding of genetics, evolution and classification acquired through the curriculum of other biology courses, such as BB525 and BB531.
Course introduction
The course aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of population biology and evolution, which are the foundations for understanding biological phenomena, including biological diversity, population fluctuations and extinctions, and interactions among species.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- express the importance of key mechanisms and processes in population biology and micro- and macro-evolution
- identify and apply fundamental concepts in population biology and evolution
- critically interpret observations of the natural world in the light of population biology and evolutionary theory
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
Population biology:
Population biology:
- models of population growth/decline
- population extinction
- intraspecific competition
- age/stage-structured population models
- interspecific competition
- predation and parasitism
- adaptive and neutral evolution
- natural selection and genetic drift
- genetic impact of natural selection
- origin, and maintenance of genetic variation
- genotype-phenotype-fitness map
- phenotypic plasticity
- life-history evolution
- the evolution of sex and sexual selection
- speciation
- coevolution
Literature
- Neal, D. (2018). Introduction to Population Biology (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781139107976
See itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
January
Tests
Written exam
EKA
N100007102
Assessment
Second examiner: Internal
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card - Exam number
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
4 hours
Examination aids
All common aids are allowed e.g. books, notes, computer programmes which do not use internet etc.
Internet is not allowed during the exam. However, you may visit the course site in itslearning to fill in the MCQ test and to open system "DE-Digital Exam". If you wish to use course materials from itslearning, you must download the materials to your computer the day before the exam. During the exam you cannot be sure that all course materials is accessible in itslearning.
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The exam consists of 4 hr. written exam with multiple choice and short answers and questions.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
Planned lessons:
Total number of planned lessons: 46 hours
Hereof:
Common lessons in classroom/auditorium: 23 hours
Team lessons in classroom: 23 hours
The course uses lectures to present key concepts in population biology and evolutionary theory, combining theoretical insights with real-world examples. Most lectures are followed by problem-solving exercises designed to deepen understanding and apply the material discussed in the lectures.
Other planned teaching activities:
- Students complete assigned readings and exercises independently, with opportunities to address questions in later sessions.
Teacher responsible
| Name | Department | |
|---|---|---|
| Owen R. Jones | jones@biology.sdu.dk | CPop Biology |
| Thomas Bjørneboe Berg | thomasbb@biology.sdu.dk | Biologisk Institut |
Additional teachers
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.