Course and Subject Handbook

Evolution is the dominant process in the development of life on earth. It influences every aspect of an organism's form and behaviour, and therefore is important for every field of biology, from marine and terrestrial biology and ecology through to conservation, aquaculture, molecular genetics, and even human health. This subject examines the evolutionary processes that have given rise to the diversity of life on earth; including the diversification and adaptation of populations to their surrounding environments and the rise of new species. Theory and techniques derived from evolutionary biology underpin many other fields in biology, and are being increasingly used in the conservation and management of threatened species and ecosystems. Knowledge of evolutionary processes is therefore essential for understanding and predicting how organisms will respond to increasing anthropogenic pressures and global change.