Course Objectives

Evolution, Genes and Genomes is an active learning course delivered through a mixture of field trips, data collection, films, critical reading, lectures and discussion groups.

Science is guided by the mechanistic theory, which states that all living phenomena are subject to chemical and physical laws. In the first half of the semester we concentrate on how scientists formulate and investigate questions. In particular we consider the work of Charles Darwin (Theory of Evolution), Gregor Mendel (Principles of Heredity), Francis Crick and James Watson (Structure of DNA) and Sir John Sulston (Human Genome Project). During the second half we turn our attention to contemporary issues and how our knowledge of evolution, genes and genomes directly impacts our lives. Our focus will be on disease and some of the implications of our fight to overcome it.

Course materials are listed below. Please log in to view these items. 

Course Comments

"Professor Thompson was a pleasure to be around each and every early morning. Her class was enthusiastic and enriching. Everyone loves her attitude and passion for the subjects. I wish we could take her back to BU!" Anon., Fall 2009

"The field trips were a great way to connect what we were learning. I really liked taking the classroom outdoors. The 3 assignments were well spaced and help to tie in what we were learning about - they were fun. I also really appreciate how she gave us exactly what she wanted us to know for quizzes." Anon., Fall 2009

"Professor Thompson is a fabulous instructor who loves her field so much and who wants all of her students to be just as enthusiastic. Even if science isn't 'your thing', she still manages to make the course stimulating and exciting." Anon., Fall 2009

"I really enjoyed the course a lot. I thought that Jules was a great professor, very upbeat and enthusiastic about the material. I think I absorbed more from her in these five weeks than I did in my whole NS 101 class last year." Elizabeth Eichenberg, Fall 2008

Faculty Information

Dr Julie Thompson is a practising osteopath. She has a PhD in Freshwater Ecology and a BSc in Plant Biology from the University of Hull. She currently teaches undergraduate students for the College of Osteopaths at Middlesex University and Keele University. She is particularly interested in models of health and illness.

Course Syllabus and Materials

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