Evolutionary modelling, 7.5 Credits

Contents

Earth is home to a remarkably diverse flora and fauna that permeates our planet from the heights of its mountains to the depths of its oceans and lakes. This impressive biological diversity is the result of natural selection acting over many generations. Although the basic organizing principle, survival of the fittest, was discovered already some 250 years ago by the British naturalist Charles Darwin, a modern mathematical theory of evolution has emerged only relatively recently. In addition to shedding new light on the processes that underpin evolutionary change, this theory is used to understand and predict the evolutionary consequences that human impacts such as fishing, hunting, or climate change have on our joint biological heritage.

In this course, we will look at how to analyse and model the demography and evolution of populations. First, we will introduce basic mathematical theory for demographic change in single and interacting populations, including salient results from the theory of dynamical systems. Second, we will survey the main results in evolutionary game theory and in its recently developed descendant, adaptive dynamics. Finally, we will show how genetics can be incorporated in evolutionary modelling. Computer exercises will illustrate how these methods can be used in practice.

Required Knowledge

The course requires courses in Differential equations and Linear algebra. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section). Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.