PCB 6677-Molecular Evolution

PCB6677

PCB 6677 Molecular Evolution

TIME AND PLACE:
Lecture: 6:00-8:50 Tuesday in Bio 209. Please do not be late or leave early, this disrupts the class. NO CELL PHONES.

CREDIT:
3 semester hrs.

CONTACT:
1:½ hours lecture per week; 1:½ hours of discussion per week + computer time

INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Christopher L. Parkinson
Department of Biology
Office BL 424, Phone 407-823-4847
E-mail: cparkins@mail.ucf.edu
Web Site: http://biology.ucf.edu/~clp/

OFFICE HOURS:
Monday and Wednesday 12:00-2:00pm. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, I will be able to see you at any time during my office hours if you make an appointment in advance. I do not necessarily sit in my office throughout my office hours unless I have an appointment. If I'm not in my office, look for me in my lab (Rm. 425) or just hangout and wait. I will arrange to see you at times other than office hours if necessary. Please don't plan on seeing me just before class, as I probably will be busy getting prepared.

WEB SITE:
I have a web site at (http://biology.ucf.edu/~clp/Courses/PCB6677/Molevol.htm), for this class. I will make a series of links on this home page for materials related to this course. I will use this to post a course outline, a copy of the syllabus and announce exam dates. Please check the site on a periodic basis. You can send me e-mails at: cparkins@mail.ucf.edu.

PREREQUISITES:
Grade of C or better in undergraduate genetics and population biology and evolution. An excellent understanding of genetics, molecular biology and evolution are very important. If you have taken the undergraduate genetics (PCB 3063), Molecular and Cellular Biology (PCB 3023), and Population Biology and Evolution course (PCB 4683), you will be well prepared for this course. I strongly encourage you to drop this class if you are not well grounded in genetics evolution and molecular biology. Remember, this is a graduate level course in Molecular Evolution.

READINGS: Outside readings will be very important, please have all papers/book chapters read prior to lecture and discussion. They will be posted on the website in pdf format.

Fundamentals of Molecular Evolution by Dan Graur and, Wen-Hsiung Li 2000

Phylogenetic Trees Made Easy: A How-to Manual, Third Edition (Paperback)

by Barry G. Hall (Author)

EVALUATION: Your grade will be comprised of the following components:
(1)EXAMS: Exams will include short answer, essay and other types of questions. Life is comprehensive, and so are the exams in this course. While each exam will emphasize specific material covered since the previous exam, each of them will include questions that require you to draw upon concepts or specific information learned earlier in the course. The exams will be take home, and the final will be due on 12/9/08 .
(2) DISCUSSION SECTION: In addition to the normal lecture routine, you are required to read the papers assigned for the weekly discussions. In the second part of class we will discuss the assigned papers. Three students will be chosen to lead each discussion section; this will be assigned randomly today.
(3) PROJECT: DUE • DUE November 20th , 2008. A paper/project on a topic you choose, but OK'd by me (Please pick your topics by October 7th ). The topic may revolve around any issues in molecular evolution. For example, you could re-analyze published data on a topic you are interested in or generate a model of DNA sequence evolution. This is to be a thought provoking exercise and depending on how much effort you put in could lead to a publication. I have very high expectations for your project, you will need to learn several computer software programs and spend a great deal of time on this aspect of the course.
(4) ORAL PRESENTATION: You will present your project orally to the class in the form of a 15 minute seminar the last 2 weeks of class (12 minute talk, 3 minutes questions). You are required to use Power Point for your presentation. See Form
(5) CLASS PARTICIPATION: • Each student (i.e. those not leading the discussion) is expected to participate in the discussion. I repeat, every student is expected to participate in the discussion and debate and I will monitor this via a check sheet. Your participation grade will be based partially on contributions to the discussion and other aspects of the course (attendance, attitude, respect, etc.)

Grading Procedure:
The following scale will be used to assign course grades. There will be no further curve.

93-100 = A
90-92= A-
87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B-
77-79 = C+
73-76 = C
70-72 = C-
= 69 = F

2 exams (midterm and final):	40%
Discussion leader:	12%
Project:	25%
Oral presentation:	15%
Class participation:	8%

This is a graduate level course, in reality; anything below an 80 is failing.

CHEATING:
Don't. I will not tolerate cheating or plagiarism of any type and will pursue disciplinary actions to the fullest extent possible.

WITHDRAWAL:
The deadline for withdrawal without penalty is published in the schedule. You will need to decide whether or not to stick with the course by that time. I do not give grades of Incomplete.