Title: Ancient DNA and Evolution

Ancient DNA & Evolution: Practice and Theory

Time: November 11th 2008 - January 23rd 2009

Place: Universitetsparken 15, building 10, 2nd floor

Student list with groups and assigned papers

Seminar papers for download

Format:

Practical exercises

Students will be divided into groups on the first day (Meeting time: 9.00 sharp). Each group will work on their respective project for the first 3 weeks and present the obtained results at the end of the course.

Lab Projects
  1. What mitochondrial haplotype do class members have, and what does that tell about their ancestry?
  2. Phylogenetic analysis of the Woolly Rhino
  3. CSI Copenhagen - whose blood is this?
  4. Investigating the genetic basis for lactose intolerance among the class
  5. Ancient and modern DNA in Mammoths and Elephants
  6. Fungus growing ants
  7. What's in your kebab?
Discussion seminars

For each seminar, two students will present a scientific paper (app. 20-30 minutes each). Papers will be assigned on the first day. Students should talk to the relevant teacher before preparing the presentation! Pdf files of all papers can be found here.

This year, the first seminar will be a talk from Michael Hofreiter from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig. The talk will take place on Friday November 28th (in the afternoon!)

Topics (presentations will be available for download)
  1. Ancient Dirt DNA. DNA from Ice, Dung and Sediments, [A0][A1][A2]
  2. Exobiology. Life in the Universe, [B0][B1][B2]
  3. Early Human Evolution, [C0][C1][C2]
  4. Modern Humans and Human Demography, [D0][D1][D2]
  5. The Genetic Difference between Human and other Primates, [E0][E1][E2]
  6. The Early Genetic Life, [F0][F1][F2]
  7. The Evolution of Dinosaurs and Feathers, [G0][G1][G2]
  8. The Evolution of Mammals, [H0][H1][H2]
  9. The Evolution of Whales, [I0][I1][I2]
  10. Ancient Phylogenetics & Population Genetics, [J0][J1][J2]
  11. Pathogens and Diseases, [K0][K1][K2]

What do I have to do during the course?

Week 1-3

- Carry out an experimental project in a small group (~2-4 students)
- Hand in a brief report on your project (~2 pages)
- Make a short presentation about your project for the other groups (this will take place on January 9th)

Week 3-7

- Make an app. 20 minutes presentation of a scientific paper (and send the presentation to Tobias afterwards)
- Print out and read the papers for each seminar. Ask questions and discuss

Week 9

- Pass the written exam

Exam details:

Two hours written exam. All notes and books allowed
Questions may be asked from all the presented papers and from the teachers' presentations (which will be available for download). Make sure to read the papers for each seminar and have your questions ready there. People at the department tend to travel a bit, and they may not be around if you wait until right before the exam

Calender:

Image: Course Plan
Click for printable PDF version of the calender.

Further questions? - contact Tobias at 'tmourier @ bio.ku.dk'