PLSCI 4400

Phylogenetic Systematics

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2024-2025.

Basic and advanced theory and methods of phylogenetic analysis. Introduces students to cladistic analysis using parsimony and gain experience with computer-aided analysis of taxonomic data, including both morphological and molecular data sources. Topics include applications of phylogenetic methods to biogeography and evolutionary studies.

When Offered Spring.

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: one majors-level biology course.

Comments Offered in odd-numbered years only.

• Obtain, organize, and analyze molecular (DNA, RNA and protein) and morphological data, and combine the two data sources to produce phylogenetic trees that will reveal the history of various plant groups.
• Use computational approaches to generate, plot, and compare phylogenetic trees in R and the Terminal command line.
• Discuss and interpret phylogenetic trees to describe patterns of plant evolution, diversity, and adaptation/ecological interaction.
• Formulate original questions about the evolutionary history and evolution of plants and plant traits, translate these into empirically testable hypotheses, and then perform the analyses to see if the hypothesis is supported.
• Collect and analyze data obtained from original research, using methods that are reproducible.
• Translate and apply genetic and phylogenetic data to advance the field and solve real-world problems.
• Discuss the effects of understanding phylogenetics on environmental sustainability and human health (e.g., evolution of plant, animal and human disease).
• Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical principles and global consequences associated with past, present, and future advances in evolutionary studies.
• Succinctly and clearly communicate information about the breadth of issues in phylogenetics to diverse audiences in oral and written formats.

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