BIOL182L KS - Applied Phylogenetics

This course is an introduction to modern phylogenetic comparative methods and their application to a broad array of biological questions. Phylogenetic as well as phenotypic data provide rich resources for analyzing diversity in its broadest sense, ranging from molecules to behavior, and from species to clades. Using the R environment for statistical computing and graphing, students manipulate and plot phylogenetic trees, analyze lineage diversification, visualize disparity patterns, and investigate trait evolution including model fitting, ancestral state reconstructions, and some advanced statistical approaches. Case studies are drawn from a range of topics covering various biological disciplines.

Prerequisites: BIOL 043L KS and BIOL 044L KS, or BIOL 040L KS and CHEM 040L KS; or permission of instructor.

Offered: Every other year

Credit: 1

Course Number: BIOL182L KS