3000

This course introduces students to population genetics and phylogeography as basic areas to understand the processes that lead to species formation. Students learn about basic theoretical topics such as: linkage unbalance, natural selection, evolution in polygenic characters, endogamy, genetic drift and flow and introduction to the theory of coalescence, among others.

This course teaches students methodologies involving biocomputing in population genetics, in order to estimate parameters to make predictions about evolution history of species based on molecular, behavioral and ecological data (provided in the course). The work plan includes a field trip to collect part of these data in wild population and students analyze these data through statistical models and methods in order to infer about relevant topics to species formation and the origin of adaptations.

Phylogenesis is one of the topics within biological sciences with the greatest spectrum in terms of diversity of study subjects, scientific productivity and impact in recent years. The phylogenic reconstruction is a commonly used tool within a broad range of disciplines associated with the evolutionary biology of organisms, as well as in various biomedical and microbiological applications. Phylogenesis Systematic, after several weeks on its basic aspects, will study in depth some of its applications to thus maximize the understanding of how useful this tool is, while the student understands the different tools and methods in phylogenetics. The course ends with research seminars where the students, independently conduct a reanalysis of one or more phylogenetic studies in the group or topic of their choice.

This course provides the knowledge and skills on the use of informatics tools to carry out phylogenias. The practice includes different exercises that allow students to become familiarized with the state of the art of procedures used to perform phylogenetic analyses. These exercises require one or two laboratory sessions, depending on their complexity. The objective of the professors and monitors is to help the students understand processes, bioinformatics programs, as well as to become interested in the use of phylogenetic methods in any branch of biology.

This course offers an introduction to vital processes that take place inside any animal, as a reflection of its own homodynamic properties and the exchange of materials and energy with the environment. The goal is for students to analyze the relation between function, form and behavior as an adaptation assembly that reflects abilities and limitations of organisms to use the opportunities provided by the environment.

This course validates theoretical concepts through critical analysis of procedures used to establish generalizations. It promotes the development of logic and procedures used for experimentation in animal physiology. It also practices the design, analysis and oral and written communication of scientific results. 

This course provides the students with fundamental notions of plant´s physiology. Particular emphasis is made hydric relations, mineral nutrition, photosynthesis, and regulation of growth and development. It also emphasizes on adaptation of plant organisms to the environment.

This course, based on selected experiments, is aimed at pinpointing some basic concepts and quantifying some physiological processes. Furthermore, the students learn how to present and analyze results according to the scientific method and also acquire experimental design notions.

In this course the students are provided with basic knowledge of development patterns in the main animal biological models. It is also intended to analyze development mechanisms from E244tissue and organismic perspectives. The first part of the course is focused on the basis of development, emphasizing on genetic and molecular levels. The second part, based on a comparative vision, focuses on the early and late development for insects, amphibious, fish, birds and mammals. The final part of the course analyzes development processes from an evolutionary perspective. The usefulness and application of experimental techniques and strategies as study tools of development biology are studied throughout the course. E251

This course offers the students a possibility to supplement their theoretical knowledge of development biology. To this end, a review is performed, from a comparative perspective, histological cuts and assembly of plates from issues subjected to experimentation.

This course presents basic concepts of ecology of communities, with an emphasis on tropical forests. The course includes a first phase of topics related to the community, its properties, components, and development through time (succession and paleo-environments). The second phase includes mainly topics related to patterns of diversity and wealth of species in tropical communities, with an emphasis on issues of seed dispersal and forest regeneration. The course also shows evolution approaches that have been developed recently to understand the assembly of community and neutral theories.

This course dwells on two main aspects. First, students are trained in the analysis of variables of Ecology of Communities (population density estimation, diversity indexes, preference and overlap).  Second, students gain experience in preparing a research project by designing a sample protocol and developing it in the field (optional).

This course offers the students an introduction of the main groups of seed plants, with emphasis on the Angiosperms family represented in the neotropical flora. It studies the morphology and biology of plants in a systematic context, underling the special characteristics of plants in our environment, such as their ecological and economic importance. The course is supplemented with an introduction to phylogenetic systematic applied to the plants and the history of botanics. E246

As an integral part of the theoretical course, this course focuses on live material from various groups of plants. It includes field visits to important ecosystems such as high plateaus and mountain forests, as well as visits to Bogota´s Botanic Garden.

The purpose is to recognize the role of animal behavior as a response to environmental pressure over organisms in evolution, and also, to acknowledge the ecological importance of behavior flexibility, compared to morphological and physiological features of organisms. The course also discusses the physiological basis of processes associated with the expression of animal behavior. It channels the interest of students in animal behavior in order to provide theoretical fundamentals that enable a better understanding of evolution history, the functioning and value of animals

This course validates theoretical concepts through critical analysis of procedures used to establish generalizations. It promotes the development of logic and procedures used for experimentation in animal behavior. It also practices the design, analysis and oral and written communication of scientific results.

This course teaches the basic concepts and principles of Conservation Biology. It initially reviews 1) what (levels and attributes of biological diversity) and 2) why it is to be preserved (environmental and ecological, economic, social and cultural values of biodiversity). Then, the indirect causes of biodiversity losses are identified (ej. fragmentation, tree felling, pollution, climate change, diseases and invasions), and the strategies and mechanisms to counteract them (preservation in situ, ex situ and sustainable use). Finally, topics beyond biology are addressed, including conventions, national and international treaties and protocols that support the preservation and the theory of sustainable development.

This course teaches two fundamental tools for the practice of preserving biodiversity. 1. Predicting the future of the population based on demographic data, using matrix-based programs. 2. Estimating exchange rates in landscape coverage, using geographical information systems. In addition, students are trained in management of extinction risk categories proposed by the IUCN and optional field projects are proposed on preservation subjects.

The course presents general vision of the diversity, classification, evolution, anatomy, physiology, ecology, biogeography and natural history of the different groups in the Class Aves (birds). The main axis of the course is the hypothesis of phylogenetic relations proposed for various bird clades. The phylogenetic  perspective will place different aspects of biology of modern birds in a context of evolution, and illustrate different core concepts in evolution biology taking birds as models for study. Apart from presenting a general overview of birds at a global level, emphasis will be made on the knowledge of diversity, distribution,  systematic and ecology of birds in Colombia. In order to have a basic understanding of the identification of large groups of Colombian birds, theoretical classes and laboratory will be complemented with field trips.

The ornithology laboratory supports theoretical concepts with practices related to ecomorphology, anatomy, bird taxonomy, with an emphasis on Colombian species and introduces students to bird watching and the main methodologies to be used in the field and the laboratory.

Under the tutorship of a thesis committee, students prepare a written proposal, the basis of their graduation project, in a specific area of biology. This must include a justification and the objectives of the project, a literature review, the necessary procedures to gather data and a schedule of activities. The special regulations manual must be consulted.

All program students who are planning to graduate during the current semester must enroll in this course.