Course Description
Summary
This course explores the role of artificial selection throughout human history, including in agriculture, the breeding of companion animals, and as a model for understanding evolution by natural and sexual selection. Topics include Mendelian genetics, how genotype leads to phenotype, mutations, domestication, landmark experiments in fox domestication, experimental evolution in fruit flies, commercial applications and practices with plants and livestock, and dog breeds as models for the genetic basis of behavior and disease susceptibility. We also explore other methods of organism 鈥渄esign鈥 including cloning, CRISPR, and genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). Prior knowledge of genetics and evolution is not required.
