2000

This course deals with basic genetic concepts according to vision of classical and molecular genetics, taking into account the fundamental mechanisms of the genetic expression.  Specific subjects are covered, namely: genetics and living organisms, genes and environment, genetic information flow, heritage and variations, genetic transmission laws, expansion of mendelian principles, linkage and recombination,  genetic mapping, genes mapping, genes and chromosome mutations, genomics, genetic manipulation, among others.

This course develops practices that enable the students to verify through experimentation some of the basic principles of heritage using Drosophila melanogaster as biological model. The course is supplemented with field work intended to become acquainted with the relationships existing among the various Drosophila species and their environment. It also attempts to evidence ecological interactions, particularly with the flora, as indications of co evolution processes.

This course develops four modules: basics of microevolution, basics of macroevolution and genome evolution, basics of adaptation and speciation and basics of microbes evolution. In the last part of the course, a mini-symposium is held, where the students, through brief lectures, make presentations on current and specially relevant evolution topics such as: sexual selection, evolution of senescence, of sexual selection in speciation, ecological speciation, reinforcement of reproductive isolation, speciation through hybridization, evolution in concert with and horizontal transfer, among others.

This course studies in depth the concepts dealt with in theory, through exercises and readings related to each topic.

This course addresses the main characteristics of bacteria, protozoon, fungae and acellular organisms, as well as their importance in ecosystems, diversity and interactions. It reviews the origin and evolution of prokaryote and eukaryote organisms, as well as their current taxonomic organization based on molecular data. It addresses basic morphology, physiology and microbe genetics and physiology, exchange of genetic material, interesting groups of bacteria, fungae, and protists, ecology and extreme habitats. As regards acellular organisms, some relevant viruses are studied, as well as bacteriophages, viroids and prions. Likewise, industrial biotechnology and environmental microbiology aspects are reviewed. The course implies making presentations and holding discussions of articles on different topics, with special emphasis on those describing interactions established by microorganisms with other organisms.

In this course the students learn how to recognize various groups of microorganisms and basic techniques to work with them at the laboratory such as isolation, counting as of environmental samples, preparation of plates and coloring, and amplification of the SSU rDNA gene. Additionally, a short guided project is developed on several subjects, including production and quantification of rhamnolipids produced by bacteria, bioremediation of phenol with bacteria, bacteriophages isolation, among others.

This course studies the levels of organization, basics of taxonomy and morphology of the major invertebrates Phyla. The corporal plans and ontogenesis of each Phylum are compared to thus understand their relationships and evolutionary trends, according to current theories on animal Phylogenesis. The shape and function of invertebrates are generally related to their medium and forms of life, emphasizing on the degree of specialization and biological success.

In this course representatives of each Phylum are characterized and compared. In addition, it entails an in-depth analysis of morphological and ontogenetic studies of material collected and preserved to establish Phylogenesis relationships among the main Phyla of invertebrates. The program content is supplemented with a field trip where the students apply the learning achieved.

This course provides students with an overview of the various groups of existing and disappeared plant organisms. Studies are addressed from a morphological, anatomic, biological and evolutionary standpoint of autotrophous protists (algae), lichens, bryophytes, seedless vascular plants, gymnosperms and angiosperms. Emphasis is made on material plants evolutionary steps: transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments, acquisition of vascularization, first appearance of seeds and fruit. Emphasis is made on angiosperms, highlighting the causes for their success and diversity.

This course´s work is based on observations of fresh or preserved material and micro-preparations, analyzing representatives of each group of plant organisms studied theoretically. The structures that characterize each of these groups are identified and studies as related to their functions and adaptation value.

In this course students are trained to understand how abiotic conditions, as well as biotic interactions (competition, depredation, parasitism and mutualism) can determine the abundance of individuals in populations and their geographical distribution ranges. This includes the possible role of evolutionary Sand historical processes to understand current ecological patterns. Furthermore, students are introduced to the formulation of ecological hypothesis and experimental designs to prove them.

This course, with the aid of simulation programs, generates spaces where students can visualize the importance of the various ecological factors to explain abundance in populations. Additionally, students are trained to present scientific papers and research questions for development at the field.

This course includes an overview of the diversity, evolution, anatomy, ecology and natural history of the various groups comprised in the subphylum Vertebrata, animals with a backbone. The connecting thread of this course are the hypothesis of Phylogenesis relationships proposed for various vertebrate clades. Phylogenesis perspectives allow for emphasizing the importance of compared biology studies, and illustrating different key notions in evolutionary biology, using vertebrates as a study model. In addition to offering an overview of vertebrates at a global level, it emphasizes on knowledge of diversity, distribution, systematic and ecology of the various taxa existing in Colombia.

This course supplements theory classes with anatomy studies based on specimens and illustrated with practice of relevant notions that are required to understand the diversification of vertebrates. Laboratory emphasis doe snot consist in an exhaustive memorizing of the structures that make up the various systems (skeletal, muscle, etc.) of organisms, but rather the comprehensive study of important features that are distinctive of each group, and the adaptations associated with the different vertebrate forms of life. Access to the reference collection at the recently organized Natural History Museum will provide first hand knowledge about basic aspects of Colombian vertebrates.