Module #1 Introduction to Evolutionary Ecology Overview of the field, importance, and applications of evolutionary ecology
Module #2 Principles of Evolution Review of basic evolutionary principles, including natural selection, genetic drift, and speciation
Module #3 Ecological Concepts Introduction to key ecological concepts, including populations, communities, and ecosystems
Module #4 Evolution of Life Histories Evolutionary pressures shaping life history traits, such as growth rates, reproduction, and longevity
Module #5 Predator-Prey Interactions Evolutionary dynamics of predator-prey relationships, including co-evolution and prey defense strategies
Module #6 Competition and Resource Use Evolutionary consequences of competition for resources, including character displacement and niche partitioning
Module #7 Evolution of Mate Choice The evolution of mating systems, including mate choice, sexual selection, and conflict
Module #8 Cooperation and Altruism Evolutionary explanations for cooperative behavior, including kin selection, reciprocity, and group selection
Module #9 Evolution of Social Behavior The evolution of social behavior, including group living, cooperation, and conflict
Module #10 Communication and Signaling The evolution of communication systems, including signal honesty, deception, and manipulation
Module #11 Evolution of Defense Strategies Evolutionary responses to predation, including camouflage, chemical defense, and warning signals
Module #12 Evolution of Foraging Behavior Optimal foraging theory, including foraging strategies and decision-making under uncertainty
Module #13 Migration and Dispersal Evolutionary causes and consequences of migration and dispersal, including gene flow and adaptation
Module #14 Evolutionary Ecology of Host-Parasite Interactions Co-evolutionary dynamics of host-parasite relationships, including evolutionary arms races
Module #15 Evolution of Aging and Senescence Evolutionary theories of aging, including the disposable soma theory and antagonistic pleiotropy
Module #16 Evolutionary Ecology of Human Behavior Applications of evolutionary ecology to understanding human behavior, including mate choice and cooperation
Module #17 Conservation Biology and Evolutionary Ecology The role of evolutionary ecology in conservation biology, including population management and reintroduction programs
Module #18 Evolutionary Ecology of Invasive Species The impact of invasive species on native ecosystems, including evolutionary responses to invasion
Module #19 Ecological and Evolutionary Responses to Climate Change The effects of climate change on ecological and evolutionary dynamics, including adaptation and extinction risk
Module #20 Evolutionary Ecology of Microorganisms The evolution of microorganisms, including the role of horizontal gene transfer and evolutionary innovation
Module #21 Evolutionary Ecology of Plant-Animal Interactions The evolution of interactions between plants and animals, including pollination, herbivory, and seed dispersal
Module #22 Evolutionary Ecology of Social Immunity The evolutionary ecology of social immunity, including the role of cooperation in disease resistance
Module #23 Evolutionary Ecology of Phenotypic Plasticity The evolution of phenotypic plasticity, including the role of environmental cues and genetic variation
Module #24 Quantitative Methods in Evolutionary Ecology Introduction to statistical and computational methods for analyzing evolutionary ecological data
Module #25 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Evolutionary Ecology and Behavior career
