Applied evolutionary biology

Course objectives

General objectives At the end of the course, the student will have acquired knowledge of the evolutionary processes studied mainly in the context of human interactions with ecological systems and with the biosphere in general. Through the analysis of studies (field surveys, laboratory experiments, mathematical and, computational studies) using concepts, theories and methods of evolutionary biology in fields such as agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, fishing, biotechnology, climate change, invasion biology, conservation biology, the students will be able to acquire an in-depth knowledge and awareness of evolution, no longer only as a fundamental engine of the diversification of life, but also as a fundamental agent of development, well-being and balance of man and of the Earth. Specific objectives: Knowledge and understanding: The student will acquire the knowledge of the principles of evolutionary biology that can be used to study biological systems of practical importance, in the context of human interactions with ecological systems and with the biosphere in general. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The student will understand the application areas of evolutionary principles in the study of human interactions with biological and ecological systems, and their interpretative potential in the light of evolutionary dynamics, at various time scales. Critical and judgmental capacities: Through the classroom discussion of the main themes of evolutionary biology and research conducted with an applicative perspective, the student will understand the reasons that make this discipline the central unifying theme of biology, and its relevance in the applications of Biology in today's society. Ability to communicate what has been learned: Students in the classroom will be constantly stimulated to interact with each other and with the teacher in the discussion of the topics presented, also through small group study of research published in important international journals. Ability to continue the study independently in the life: The student will acquire the critical vision and language of modern evolutionary biology. These skills will enable the student to face future biological studies, including experimental activities, having also understood the temporal and spatial dimensions of evolutionary dynamics.

Channel 1
ALESSIO DE BIASE Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The temporal dimension of evolution: geological time and ecological time of evolutionary processes. Models and methods of analysis of patterns and evolutionary processes (8 h). Evolution and society. Examples taken from a selection of the following topics: biomedicine (e.g. biological resistance and antibiotics; viral variants and pandemics), agriculture (e.g. biological resistance and insecticides), animal husbandry (e.g. artificial selection), biological invasions (e.g. genetic consequences of invasions and establishment of new colonizers), global changes (e.g. impact of global changes on organisms' distributions and population structures), conservation biology (e.g. Evolutionary significant unit; taxonomic problems of cryptic species; erosion of genetic diversity ; genetics and biological control), human society (e.g. the debate on intelligent design, the evolution of culture, the concept of race and the human species; migrations and gene flow), etc. (40 h).
Prerequisites
Good knowledge of the basic principles of Evolutionary biology and Population genetics are required.
Books
- A good introductory book in English is: Norman A. Johnson, 2021. Darwin's Reach - 21st Century Applications of Evolutionary Biology. CRC Press, 1st Edition, ISBN 9781138587397 - Several scientific articles and book chapters will be provided as study material. - A good supporting text is: Futuyma D.J., 2005. Evolution. Sinaure Assocites Inc.
Teaching mode
The course is divided into units of study and discussion of the results of research carried out on the topics listed in the course program and relating to human interactions with the natural environment. Lectures will be held on the concepts and principles of evolutionary biology useful for understanding the selected researches, followed by sessions of study and discussion of the scientific literature on the topic on the agenda.
Frequency
Students are required to actively participate for the entire duration of the course.
Exam mode
The class tests include the discussion of the results of the group work on the topics covered in class (50-75% of the final grade). The final oral exam includes the oral discussion of a bibliographic essay carried out on a topic chosen from among those covered in class (25-50% of the final grade). Any non-attending students should contact the instructor at the beginning of the academic semester.
Bibliography
The literature will be made available mainly in electronic format during the course on the eLearning page, currently under construction. Bull, J. J., & Wichman, H. A. (2001). APPLIED EVOLUTION. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 32, 183–217. Hendry, A. P., Kinnison, M. T., Heino, M., Day, T., Smith, T. B., Fitt, G., Bergstrom, C. T., Oakeshott, J., Jørgensen, P. S., Zalucki, M. P., Gilchrist, G., Southerton, S., Sih, A., Strauss, S., Denison, R. F., & Carroll, S. P. (2011). Evolutionary principles and their practical application. Evolutionary Applications, 4(2), 159–183. Carroll, S. P., Jørgensen, P. S., Kinnison, M. T., Bergstrom, C. T., Denison, R. F., Gluckman, P., Smith, T. B., Strauss, S. Y., & Tabashnik, B. E. (2014). Applying evolutionary biology to address global challenges. Science, 346(6207), 1245993. Losos, J. B., Arnold, S. J., Bejerano, G., Brodie, E. D., 3rd, Hibbett, D., Hoekstra, H. E., Mindell, D. P., Monteiro, A., Moritz, C., Orr, H. A., Petrov, D. A., Renner, S. S., Ricklefs, R. E., Soltis, P. S., & Turner, T. L. (2013). Evolutionary biology for the 21st century. PLoS Biology, 11(1), e1001466. Futuyma, D. J. (1995). The uses of evolutionary biology. Science, 267(5194), 41–42.
Lesson mode
The course is divided into units of study and discussion of the results of research carried out on the topics listed in the course program and relating to human interactions with the natural environment. Lectures will be held on the concepts and principles of evolutionary biology useful for understanding the selected researches, followed by sessions of study and discussion of the scientific literature on the topic on the agenda.
ALESSIO DE BIASE Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The temporal dimension of evolution: geological time and ecological time of evolutionary processes. Models and methods of analysis of patterns and evolutionary processes (8 h). Evolution and society. Examples taken from a selection of the following topics: biomedicine (e.g. biological resistance and antibiotics; viral variants and pandemics), agriculture (e.g. biological resistance and insecticides), animal husbandry (e.g. artificial selection), biological invasions (e.g. genetic consequences of invasions and establishment of new colonizers), global changes (e.g. impact of global changes on organisms' distributions and population structures), conservation biology (e.g. Evolutionary significant unit; taxonomic problems of cryptic species; erosion of genetic diversity ; genetics and biological control), human society (e.g. the debate on intelligent design, the evolution of culture, the concept of race and the human species; migrations and gene flow), etc. (40 h).
Prerequisites
Good knowledge of the basic principles of Evolutionary biology and Population genetics are required.
Books
- A good introductory book in English is: Norman A. Johnson, 2021. Darwin's Reach - 21st Century Applications of Evolutionary Biology. CRC Press, 1st Edition, ISBN 9781138587397 - Several scientific articles and book chapters will be provided as study material. - A good supporting text is: Futuyma D.J., 2005. Evolution. Sinaure Assocites Inc.
Teaching mode
The course is divided into units of study and discussion of the results of research carried out on the topics listed in the course program and relating to human interactions with the natural environment. Lectures will be held on the concepts and principles of evolutionary biology useful for understanding the selected researches, followed by sessions of study and discussion of the scientific literature on the topic on the agenda.
Frequency
Students are required to actively participate for the entire duration of the course.
Exam mode
The class tests include the discussion of the results of the group work on the topics covered in class (50-75% of the final grade). The final oral exam includes the oral discussion of a bibliographic essay carried out on a topic chosen from among those covered in class (25-50% of the final grade). Any non-attending students should contact the instructor at the beginning of the academic semester.
Bibliography
The literature will be made available mainly in electronic format during the course on the eLearning page, currently under construction. Bull, J. J., & Wichman, H. A. (2001). APPLIED EVOLUTION. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 32, 183–217. Hendry, A. P., Kinnison, M. T., Heino, M., Day, T., Smith, T. B., Fitt, G., Bergstrom, C. T., Oakeshott, J., Jørgensen, P. S., Zalucki, M. P., Gilchrist, G., Southerton, S., Sih, A., Strauss, S., Denison, R. F., & Carroll, S. P. (2011). Evolutionary principles and their practical application. Evolutionary Applications, 4(2), 159–183. Carroll, S. P., Jørgensen, P. S., Kinnison, M. T., Bergstrom, C. T., Denison, R. F., Gluckman, P., Smith, T. B., Strauss, S. Y., & Tabashnik, B. E. (2014). Applying evolutionary biology to address global challenges. Science, 346(6207), 1245993. Losos, J. B., Arnold, S. J., Bejerano, G., Brodie, E. D., 3rd, Hibbett, D., Hoekstra, H. E., Mindell, D. P., Monteiro, A., Moritz, C., Orr, H. A., Petrov, D. A., Renner, S. S., Ricklefs, R. E., Soltis, P. S., & Turner, T. L. (2013). Evolutionary biology for the 21st century. PLoS Biology, 11(1), e1001466. Futuyma, D. J. (1995). The uses of evolutionary biology. Science, 267(5194), 41–42.
Lesson mode
The course is divided into units of study and discussion of the results of research carried out on the topics listed in the course program and relating to human interactions with the natural environment. Lectures will be held on the concepts and principles of evolutionary biology useful for understanding the selected researches, followed by sessions of study and discussion of the scientific literature on the topic on the agenda.
  • Lesson code10600194
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseEcobiology
  • CurriculumBiologia degli ecosistemi e della conservazione
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDBIO/05
  • CFU6