The Course aims to provide students with the tools (knowledge and methodologies) necessary to analyze the dynamics of populations according to their characteristics (genotypic and phenotypic). Furthermore, it will be analyzed how abiotic (e.g. environmental conditions, availability of resources) and biotic (e.g. competition, predation) components affect the probability of survival and reproduction and therefore the evolution of species and ecological communities.
Course Prerequisites
Knowledge of basic concepts of genetics and statistics. Some exercises involve the use of spreadsheets (Excel) and R (interactive Shiny App), which will be used with the help of tutorials.
Teaching Methods
Frontal lessons. Discussion and data analysis lessons are also provided, to better understand the mathematical models used to describe population and evolutionary dynamics. To accommodate those who have requested inclusive teaching, interventions consistent with the specific needs of the individual student will be arranged.
Assessment Methods
Oral exam; students are also expected to give a presentation about e topic covered during the lessons. The oral examination will focus on the syllabus covered in class, with questions that will mainly focus on assessing the student's ability to make connections between different topics.
Texts
Neal Dick, Introduction to Population Biology, Cambridge University Press. Begon M., Harper J.L., Townsend C.R. Ecology - Individuals, Populations and Communities. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
Contents
The course integrates concepts of ecology and evolution: • Organisms: ecological niche concept • Population and metapopulation • Ecosystems • Genotype-phenotype relationship and phenotypic plasticity • Biological evolution • What are mutations • Hardy-Weinberg principle • Principles of population genetics • Natural selection and genetic drift • Principles of phylogenetics • Speciation • Inter- and intra-specific competition • Population growth patterns and life-tables • Population dynamics, equations and prey-predator models.
Course Language
Italian
More information
For students in the categories listed below, individual meetings for up to two hours per week are available as well as appropriate teaching material. Categories: 1) working student; 2) student engaged in caring for family members; 3) student with civil disability; 4) student with disabilities or specific learning disorders; 5) student parent; 6) student athlete; 7) student in prison regimen; 7) student in inpatient regimen or suffering from certified medical conditions
