Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (B.A. or B.S.)

Introductory Courses

* E&EB 106a / HLTH 155a / MCDB 106a, Biology of Malaria, Lyme, and Other Vector-Borne Diseases  Alexia Belperron

Introduction to the biology of pathogen transmission from one organism to another by insects; special focus on malaria, dengue, and Lyme disease. Biology of the pathogens including modes of transmission, establishment of infection, and immune responses; the challenges associated with vector control, prevention, development of vaccines, and treatments. Intended for non–science majors; preference to freshmen and sophomores. Prerequisite: high school biology.  SC
MW 1pm-2:15pm

E&EB 115a / F&ES 315a, Conservation Biology  Linda Puth

An introduction to ecological and evolutionary principles underpinning efforts to conserve Earth's biodiversity. Efforts to halt the rapid increase in disappearance of both plants and animals. Discussion of sociological and economic issues.  SC
MW 10:30am-11:20am

* E&EB 125b / G&G 125b, History of Life  Derek Briggs, Pincelli Hull, and Bhart-Anjan Bhullar

Examination of fossil and geologic evidence pertaining to the origin, evolution, and history of life on Earth. Emphasis on major events in the history of life, on what the fossil record reveals about the evolutionary process, on the diversity of ancient and living organisms, and on the evolutionary impact of Earth's changing environment.  SC
TTh 11:35am-12:50pm

* E&EB 145b, Plants and People  Linda Puth

The interaction of plants and people throughout history explored from biological, historical, anthropological, and artistic perspectives. Basic botany; plants in the context of agriculture; plants as instruments of trade and societal change; plants as inspiration; plants in the environment. Includes field trips to the greenhouses at Yale Marsh Botanical Garden, the Yale Peabody Museum and Herbarium, the Yale Farm, and the Yale Art Gallery.  SC
MWF 10:30am-11:20am

* E&EB 175Lb, Virus Discovery and Evolution  Alita Burmeister

An inquiry-based, hands-on introduction to sampling bacteriophages (bacteria-specific viruses) from natural environments. Emphasis on lab methods to characterize viruses via growth assays and genome sequencing, and to experimentally evolve viruses on bacteria. Readings and discussion on virus biodiversity, role of viruses in the environment, and virus applications to solve human problems.  SC  ½ Course cr
T 1pm-5pm

E&EB 210a / S&DS 101a, Introduction to Statistics: Life Sciences  Jonathan Reuning-Scherer

Statistical and probabilistic analysis of biological problems, presented with a unified foundation in basic statistical theory. Problems are drawn from genetics, ecology, epidemiology, and bioinformatics.  QR
TTh 1pm-2:15pm

E&EB 246a, Plant Diversity and Evolution  Erika Edwards

Introduction to the major plant groups and their evolutionary relationships, with an emphasis on the diversification and global importance of flowering plants. To be taken concurrently with E&EB 247L. Prerequisite: a general understanding of biology and evolution.  SC
MW 1pm-2:15pm

E&EB 247La, Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Evolution  Erika Edwards

Hands-on experience with the plant groups examined in the accompanying lectures. Local field trips. To be taken concurrently with E&EB 246.  SC  ½ Course cr
T 1pm-4pm

E&EB 250a, Biology of Terrestrial Arthropods  Marta Wells

Evolutionary history and diversity of terrestrial arthropods (body plan, phylogenetic relationships, fossil record); physiology and functional morphology (water relations, thermoregulation, energetics of flying and singing); reproduction (biology of reproduction, life cycles, metamorphosis, parental care); behavior (migration, communication, mating systems, evolution of sociality); ecology (parasitism, mutualism, predator-prey interactions, competition, plant-insect interactions). To be taken concurrently with E&EB 251L.  SC
TTh 11:35am-12:50pm

E&EB 251La, Laboratory for Biology of Terrestrial Arthropods  Marta Wells

Comparative anatomy, dissections, identification, and classification of terrestrial arthropods; specimen collection; field trips. Concurrently with or after E&EB 250.  SC  ½ Course cr
W 1:30pm-4:30pm

[ E&EB 264, Ichthyology ]

[ E&EB 265L, Laboratory for Ichthyology ]

[ E&EB 272, Ornithology ]

[ E&EB 273L, Laboratory for Ornithology ]

Prerequisites for all intermediate and advanced E&EB courses are BIOL 101, 102, 103, and 104, or permission of the instructor.

E&EB 220a / EVST 223a, General Ecology  David Vasseur and Ann Staver

The theory and practice of ecology, including the ecology of individuals, population dynamics and regulation, community structure, ecosystem function, and ecological interactions at broad spatial and temporal scales. Topics such as climate change, fisheries management, and infectious diseases are placed in an ecological context. Prerequisite: MATH 112 or equivalent.  SC
MWF 10:30am-11:20am

E&EB 223Lb, Evolution, Functional Traits, and the Tree of Life  Marta Wells

Study of evolutionary novelties, their functional morphology, and their role in the diversity of life. Introduction to techniques used for studying the diversity of animal body plans. Evolutionary innovations that have allowed groups of organisms to increase their diversity.  SC  ½ Course cr
HTBA

E&EB 225b, Evolutionary Biology  Paul Turner

An overview of evolutionary biology as the discipline uniting all of the life sciences. Reading and discussion of scientific papers to explore the dynamic aspects of evolutionary biology. Principles of population genetics, paleontology, and systematics; application of evolutionary thinking in disciplines such as developmental biology, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, and human medicine.  SC
TTh 10:30am-11:20am

[ E&EB 228, Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases ]

[ E&EB 230, Field Ecology ]

* E&EB 235a / HLTH 250a, Evolution and Medicine  Stephen Stearns

Introduction to the ways in which evolutionary science informs medical research and clinical practice. Diseases of civilization and their relation to humans' evolutionary past; the evolution of human defense mechanisms; antibiotic resistance and virulence in pathogens; cancer as an evolutionary process. Students view course lectures on line; class time focuses on discussion of lecture topics and research papers. Prerequisite: BIOL 101–104.  WR, SC
TTh 11:35am-12:50pm

E&EB 255a / G&G 316, Invertebrates  Casey Dunn

An overview of animal diversity that explores themes including animal phylogenetics (evolutionary relationships), comparative studies of evolutionary patterns across species, organism structure and function, and the interaction of organisms with their environments. Most animal lineages are marine invertebrates, so marine invertebrates are the focus of most of the course. E&EB 256L is not required to enroll in the lecture.  SC
TTh 11:35am-12:50pm

E&EB 256La, Laboratory for Invertebrates  Casey Dunn

The study of invertebrate anatomy and diversity in a laboratory and field setting. Activities will include will examine live animals and museum specimens, as well as local field trips. Some field trips will fall on weekends. This lab must be taken concurrently with the lecture E&EB 255.  SC  ½ Course cr
Th 1:30pm-4:30pm

* E&EB 275b / EVST 400b, Biological Oceanography  Mary Beth Decker

Exploration of a range of coastal and pelagic ecosystems. Relationships between biological systems and the physical processes that control the movements of water and productivity of marine systems. Anthropogenic impacts on oceans, such as the effects of fishing and climate change. Includes three Friday field trips. Enrollment limited to 15.  SC
TTh 11:35am-12:50pm

E&EB 290b, Comparative Developmental Anatomy of Vertebrates  Günter Wagner

A survey of the development, structure, and evolution of major vertebrate groups. Topics include the micro-anatomy of major organ systems, the developmental underpinnings of the vertebrate body plan, and the development, structure, and evolution of the major organ systems such as the locomotory system, sensory organs, digestive tract, reproductive tract, and nervous system.  SC
MWF 11:35am-12:25pm

* E&EB 291Lb, Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates Laboratory  Staff

Microscopic examination of histological and embryological preparations. Dissection of selected vertebrate species including shark, bony fish, frog, lizard, and rat. To be taken with E&EB 290.  SC  ½ Course cr
Th 1:30pm-4:30pm

E&EB 295a, Comparative Physiology  Staff

Comparative focus on vertebrate animals and how individual organisms survive in their environments and how species deal with common problems (respiration, energy acquisition, reproduction) using similar, or sometimes very different, tools. Additional topics include specialized adaptations to extreme environments from high altitude to the deep seas and physiological mechanisms that facilitate survival at multiple levels: cells, tissues, organs, systems, and whole organisms. Prerequisites: BIOL 101, 102 and CHEM 161, or permission of the instructor.  SC
MW 11:35am-12:50pm

E&EB 300a / ANTH 300a / EVST 182a, Primate Behavior and Ecology  Eduardo Fernandez-Duque

Socioecology of primates compared with that of other mammals, emphasizing both general principles and unique primate characteristics. Topics include life-history strategies, feeding ecology, mating systems, and ecological influences on social organization.  SC, SO
TTh 9am-10:15am

[ E&EB 305, Plant Ecology ]

E&EB 320b, Advanced Ecology  David Vasseur

An advanced treatment of ecology, including species interactions, species coexistence theory, species-environment interactions, the maintenance and consequences of biological diversity, spatial ecology, food webs, and eco-evolutionary interactions. Prerequisites: E&EB 220 and 225, or with permission of instructor.  SC
TTh 1pm-2:15pm

* E&EB 321a, Philosophy of Biology  Casey Dunn and Günter Wagner

This course is an introduction to the philosophy of biology, with application to specific current problems. It focuses on two major strands of thinking seeking answers to fundamental and complementary questions: “How do we know?” (epistemology) and “What things really exist in the world?” (ontology). These two themes have the most important impact on the practice of science, as they pertain to the nature of the scientific enterprise and how it works (epistemology and philosophy of science), as well as what scientists consider part of reality (=science related ontology: unicorns and phlogiston NO; atoms, electrons, YES; but what about species and genes? Do they have the same status as atoms?). In each of these fields of philosophy we outline the main positions and then discuss how they apply to past and current debates in biology, in particular, but not exclusively, evolutionary biology. Prerequisite: a semester of biology or a semester of philosophy.  HU
T 1:30pm-3:20pm

E&EB 325a / E&EB 625a, Limnology  David Post

Limnology, the study of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of inland waters, focuses on lakes where physical (light, temperature, and mixing) and chemical (dissolved elements and compounds) properties interact with the ecology and evolution of organisms. Topics include origins and morphology of inland waters; physical and chemical properties; diversity and interactions among the organisms found in lakes; historical perspectives; and understanding conservation and management in the context of global change. Frequent field trips to local freshwater ecosystems. Prerequisites: E&EB 220 and E&EB 225, or with permission of instructor.  SC
T 1:30pm-2:20pm, Th 1:30pm-5:20pm

[ E&EB 326, Plant Structure and Function ]

[ E&EB 327L, Plant Structure and Function Lab ]

* E&EB 336b / HSHM 453b / HUMS 336b, Culture and Human Evolution  Gary Tomlinson

Examination of the origins of human modernity in the light of evolutionary and archaeological evidence. Understanding, through a merger of evolutionary reasoning with humanistic theory, the impact of human culture on natural selection across the last 250,000 years.  HU, SC
M 1:30pm-3:20pm

* E&EB 380b, Life History Evolution  Stephen Stearns

Life history evolution studies how the phenotypic traits directly involved in reproductive success are shaped by evolution to solve ecological problems. The intimate interplay between evolution and ecology. After E&EB 220 and 225, or with permission of instructor.  WR, SC
TTh 11:35am-12:50pm

E&EB 428a / AMTH 428a / G&G 428a / PHYS 428a, Science of Complex Systems  Jun Korenaga

Introduction to the quantitative analysis of systems with many degrees of freedom. Fundamental components in the science of complex systems, including how to simulate complex systems, how to analyze model behaviors, and how to validate models using observations. Topics include cellular automata, bifurcation theory, deterministic chaos, self-organized criticality, renormalization, and inverse theory. Prerequisite: PHYS 301, MATH 247, or equivalent.  QR, SC
MWF 10:30am-11:20am

E&EB 464b / ANTH 464b / ARCG 464b, Human Osteology  Eric Sargis

A lecture and laboratory course focusing on the characteristics of the human skeleton and its use in studies of functional morphology, paleodemography, and paleopathology. Laboratories familiarize students with skeletal parts; lectures focus on the nature of bone tissue, its biomechanical modification, sexing, aging, and interpretation of lesions.  SC, SO
TTh 1pm-2:15pm

* E&EB 469a or b, Tutorial  Marta Wells

Individual or small-group study for qualified students who wish to investigate an area of ecology or evolutionary biology not presently covered by regular courses. A student must be sponsored by a faculty member who sets requirements and meets weekly with the student. One or more written examinations and/or a term paper are required. To register, the student must submit a written plan of study approved by the faculty instructor to the director of undergraduate studies. Students are encouraged to apply during the term preceding the tutorial. Proposals must be submitted no later than the first day of the second week of the term in which the student enrolls in the tutorial. The final paper is due in the hands of the director of undergraduate studies by the last day of reading period in the term of enrollment. In special cases, with approval of the director of undergraduate studies, this course may be elected for more than one term, but only one term may be counted as an elective toward the requirements of the major. Normally, faculty sponsors must be members of the EEB department.
HTBA

* E&EB 470a or b, Senior Tutorial  Marta Wells

Tutorial for seniors in the B.A. degree program who elect a term of independent study to complete the senior requirement. A thesis, fifteen to twenty pages in length, is required. A student must be sponsored by a faculty member who sets requirements and meets weekly with the student. To register, the student must submit a written plan of study approved by the faculty instructor to the director of undergraduate studies. Students are encouraged to apply during the term preceding the tutorial. Proposals must be submitted no later than the first day of the second week of the term in which the student enrolls in the tutorial. The final paper is due in the hands of the director of undergraduate studies by the last day of reading period in the term of enrollment. Normally, faculty sponsors must be members of the EEB department. Enrollment limited to seniors. Fulfills the senior requirement for the B.A. degree.
HTBA

* E&EB 474a or b, Research  Marta Wells

. One term of original research in an area relevant to ecology or evolutionary biology. This may involve, for example, laboratory work, fieldwork, or mathematical or computer modeling. Students may also work in areas related to environmental biology such as policy, economics, or ethics. The research project may not be a review of relevant literature but must be original. In all cases students must have a faculty sponsor who oversees the research and is responsible for the rigor of the project