Admission requirements
BSc-course Biodiversity, theory and practice of systematics
Description
Advanced topics in systematics and biodiversity studies will be introduced and practiced:
Advanced phylogenetics: application of state of the art computeralgorithms.
Homology assessment: the reconstruction of character evolution and the role of evo-devo analyses of specific structures.
Biodiversity information systems: the building of data bases and the possibilities of data mining, e.g. for spatial pattern analyses.
The development of phylogenomics as an approach in Systems biology, incl. multidisciplinary approaches to understanding adaptive and non-adaptive radiations
Advanced spatial pattern analyses and historical biogeography: integrative approaches to map and analyze present distributions, reconstruct past distributions, and model possible future distributions; this includes advanced Island Biogeography in relation to conservation aspects, Paleobiogeography and –ecology.
Learning goals
Course objectives:
To provide a theoretical basis for the research applications showcased in “Wealth of the World”; good understanding of concepts of time and space; of collection data, data basing and data mining; of the practice of phylogeny reconstruction; of biogeographic methods and practice; of the integration of paleo/actual data.
Final qualifications:
Theoretical understanding and hands on experience with current phylogeny reconstruction algorithms, GIS, species distribution modeling, phylogeographical methods, dating techniques, etc.
Timetable
Details will be provided in due time; in general: 1 week phylogeny, 1 week biogeography, 1 week speciation, 1 week geological time, all with focus on advanced methods and concepts.
Mode of instruction
Lectures, exercises, literature study, demonstrations.
Assessment method
Written reports, oral presentation.
Blackboard
All information of lectures and papers will be available on Blackboard.
Reading list
Recent literature.
Registration
via USIS
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for more information on how to apply.
Contact information
Marco Roos: email roos@nhn.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
n.a.