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EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

By Dr. Nayan K. Jain   |   Department of Life-Science,University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India
Learners enrolled: 949
This particular core course has been specifically designed for the students enrolled at College or University level in the subject of Zoology as per the UGC approved curriculum. The present core course can also be chosen by undergraduate students studying in the arenas of relevant biological science disciplines encompassing Life-Science, Microbiology, Botany, Genetics, Palaeontology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Environmental Science, Biomedical Technology, Cancer Biology, Clinical Research, Bioinformatics and Medical science.

The strategic planning of course units is as per the CBCS approved syllabus for Zoology. The structural organization of current core course splendidly covers all the essential aspects of evolutionary field. The course will give an introductory outline of basic Concept of Evolution. The course will also provide descriptive background about Origin of Life on the earth including Evolution of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells. The course will mainly focus on the explanation of various theories of evolution comprising of Lamarckism, Darwinism and Neo-Darwinism. The course will elaborately emphasize Evidences of Evolution in terms of Analogy, Homology, Paleontological Evidences, Embryological Evidences and Molecular Phylogeny. The course will also highlight Geological Time Scale and Neutral Theory of Molecular Evolution in brief. This particular course will also impart comprehensive knowledge regarding principle Sources of Variation responsible for evolution. During this course, the course learners will be imparted extremely comprehensive understanding regarding key concepts of Population Genetics in terms of Hardy-Weinberg Law, Genetic Drift along with different Types of Natural Selection. The course will also provide adequate information about Micro-evolutionary changes, Speciation and Adaptive Radiation. The course will also cover detailed overview of Extinctions and its types. Apart from all these, the course will also discuss the Origin and Evolution of Man. The course will also impart glimpse of Phylogenetic Trees and explain their construction along with interpretation. Additionally, the course will also provide supplementary study material in order to explore various related aspects of evolutionary biology field.

Course Objectives
The present core course on Evolutionary Biology has been magnificently designed with the perspective to achieve following principle objectives:

To provide comprehensive overview of Concept of Evolution. 
To explain Origin of Life especially Prokaryotes as well as Eukaryotes in detail.
To explore salient features of various theories of evolution comprising of Lamarckism, Darwinism and Neo-Darwinism.
To impart detailed understanding of Analogy, Homology, Paleontological Evidences, Embryological Evidences and Molecular Phylogeny.  
To provide adequate information about Geological Time Scale and Neutral Theory of Molecular Evolution.  
To develop comprehensive knowledge regarding various Sources of Variations and their role in evolution.
To give detailed explanation of key concepts of Population Genetics in terms of Hardy-Weinberg Law, Genetic Drift and Types of Natural Selection.
To provide adequate knowledge about Micro-evolutionary changes, Speciation and Adaptive Radiation.
To give detailed outline of Extinctions and its types. 
To impart descriptive knowledge regarding Origin and Evolution of Man.
To provide glimpse of Phylogenetic Trees and highlight their construction along with interpretation.

Eligibility for Enrollment:

Those who have passed students (10 + 2) with Biological Subject with at least 55% marks and at present studying Zoology at undergraduate level.
 
Course Pre-requisite: 
⦁ Pre-requisite for admission in this course will be (10+2) with any Biological Subject with at least 55% marks

Intended Audience:

⦁ Intended for the undergraduate students studying in the arenas of relevant biological science disciplines encompassing Life-Science, Microbiology, Botany, Genetics, Palaeontology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Environmental Science, Biomedical Technology, Cancer Biology, Clinical Research, Bioinformatics and Medical science.

Reading Materials:

⦁ References and Web Links have been provided in all the lectures.  

Learning Outcomes:
 
After successful accomplishment of the course, the students will be able to learn most of the essential aspects of Evolutionary Biology in detail which will help them in acquiring better understanding regarding the subject.

Course Staff:

Sr. No.

Course Instructors

Institute

E-mail Address

1.

DR. NAYAN K. JAIN
Course Co-ordinator
(Principal Investigator)
SWAYAM MOOCs-Evolutionary Biology
Gujarat University

Department of Life-Science,
University School of Sciences,
Gujarat University,
Ahmedabad-380009, India.

drnj11@yahoo.co.in

2.

DR. FLORA C. SHAH
Teaching Assistant
SWAYAM MOOCs-Evolutionary Biology
Gujarat University

Department of Life-Science,
University School of Sciences,
Gujarat University,
Ahmedabad-380009, India.

florashah88@gmail.com


Summary
Course Status : Completed
Course Type : Core
Duration : 8 weeks
Category :
  • Biological Sciences & Bioengineering
Credit Points : 2
Level : Undergraduate
Start Date : 13 Jan 2020
End Date : 15 Mar 2020
Enrollment Ends : 08 Mar 2020
Exam Date : 09 May 2020 IST

Note: This exam date is subjected to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.


Page Visits



Course layout

Unit-1: Life’s Beginnings 

Lecture 1: Concept of Evolution
Lecture 2: Origin of Life
Lecture 3: Origin of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Unit-2: Historical Review of Evolutionary Concept 

Lecture 4: Theories of Evolution

Unit-3: Evidences of Evolution 

Lecture 5: Analogy and Homology
Lecture 6: Embryological Evidences of Evolution
Lecture 7: Evolutionary Paleontological Evidences
Lecture 8: Molecular Phylogeny

Unit-4: Sources of Variations

Lecture 9: Variation and Mutations

Unit-5: Population Genetics 

Lecture 10: Hardy-Weinberg Law & Genetic Drift 
Lecture 11: Types of Natural Selection

Unit-6: Product of Evolution 

Lecture 12: Micro-evolutionary Changes
Lecture 13: Concept of Species & Speciation 
Lecture 14: Adaptive Radiation 

Unit-7: Extinctions

Lecture 15: Extinctions - An Overview 

Unit-8: Origin of Man

Lecture 16: Evolution of Man 

Unit-9: Phylogenetic Trees

Lecture 17: Study of Phylogenetic Trees

Supplementary Study Material

Supplementary Lecture 1: Serial Homology
Supplementary Lecture 2: Phylogenetic Analysis 
Supplementary Lecture 3: Species-An Overview

Books and references

§    Mark Ridley. Evolution. 3rd Edition. Blackwell Pubishing. (2004).
§    Mathur, Tomar, Singh. Evolution and Behaviour. Rastogi Publication, Merrut.
§    Mohan P. Arora. Evolutionary Biology, Himalaya Publishing House, Bombay.
§   P. S. Verma and V. K. Agarwal. Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Evolution and Ecology, Revised Edition. S. Chand Publication (2004).
§    Strickberger. Evolution. Prentic Hall. (2002).
§    Theodore H., Jr Eaton. Evolution. 1st Edition. W. W. Norton Publication. (1970).

Instructor bio

Dr. Nayan K. Jain

Department of Life-Science,University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India

Dr. Nayan K. Jain [B.Sc. (Hon’s), M. Sc., Ph.D., FGSA., FICCE]

Dr. Nayan K. Jain is the Professor & Head in Department of Life-Science, Course Director in M. Sc. Food Science & Nutrition and Co-ordinator in Department of Biochemistry, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India. He has 35 years of research and teaching experience. His areas of expertise include Ocular Biochemistry, Molecular Cell Biology, Animal Behavioral Science, Microscopy, Ecology, Toxicology, Physiology, Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, Cytogenetics, Stem Cell, Cancer Biology and Bioinstrumentation. He has 85 research publications in national and international peer-reviewed refereed journals to his credit as well as presented the research work in national and international conferences. He has worked as ‘Subject Co-ordinator’ and ‘Subject Expert’ in the educational TV programmes produced by EMMRC as a part of NME-ICT project of Government of India. He has also worked as ‘Principle Investigator’ for Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) of Zoology Core Courses of Developmental Biology, Principles of Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Biology and Principles of Genetics as a part of CEC coordinated MHRD project of Government of India. He has also worked as Ex-Registrar (I/C) and Ex-Director (I/C) of EMMRC, Gujarat University. He is actively engaged in various administrative and academic activities of Gujarat University.


Course certificate

All the course learners will be awarded 'Course Credit Certificate' from Swayam, Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India after successful completion of the MOOCs on Evolutionary Biology


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