Studying Evolutionary Biology at Canterbury
Tools and technologies of evolutionary biology underpin all the biological sciences, including molecular biology, cell biology, ecology, biodiversity and behaviour. A course in evolution may cover topics as diverse as understanding HIV; measuring natural selection; investigating how new species arise, and making predictions about the survival of rare species and the spread of invasive ones. The common theme is the study of how organisms change and adapt to their local environment.
Evolution compliments Ecology in areas such as conservation biology, the study of plant and animal invasions, and predicting the potential spread of GMOs. Evolution compliments Behaviour in explaining topics such as sexual selection and social behaviour. Evolution is also fundamental to the designing of effective drugs and predicting the spread of new diseases such as Swine flu.
Career paths
Graduates who specialise in Evolutionary Biology generally also take courses in Ecology and Behaviour. Some of our recent graduates have taken up careers like:
- Private environmental consultancy work
- Botanist / Zoologist at Landcare Research involved in biodiversity studies and the management of New Zealand biodiversity
- Botanist/Zoologist for the Department of Conservation monitoring and managing rare species
- Biosecurity officer for MAF involved in predicting and managing the spread of introduced organisms
- Scientist for AgResearch working in biocontrol
- Scientist/Technician with Crop & Food Research involving plant breeding
- Technician at the National Herbarium
Postgraduate
BSc (Hons) - Students complete a fourth year of study
comprising four 400-level papers and a research project.
PGDipSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers.
MSc - Students complete a fourth year of study comprising
four 400-level papers (part I), then proceed to a research project (part
II), written up as a thesis.
PhD - Students complete a 3-4 year research project written
up as a thesis. Entry is after successsful completion of either BSc(Hons)
or an MSc.
Planning Your Degree
Below is a guide to help you select courses that will give you a well rounded degree in evolutionary biology.
Year 1
Essential
BIOL
111 Cellular Biology & Biochemistry
BIOL
112 Ecology, Evolution & Conservation
BIOL
113 Diversity of Life
CHEM
114 General Chemistry B*
MATH
101 Methods of Mathematics
* Unless
you have 9 NCEA level 3 credits in chemistry
it is essential that you take a CHEM 114 before
CHEM 111 and CHEM 112.
Optional
STAT 101 Statistics 1**
** Biology majors are required to take BIOL
209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis (or
equivalent preparation e.g. STAT 201, PSYC 206).
Entry to this course does not require STAT 101,
but if you haven’t done maths or stats at level
12 or 13, then think about doing STAT 101 in your
first year.
Year 2
Essential
BIOL
209 Introduction to Biological Data Analysis
BIOL 213 Microbiology and Genetics
BIOL
231 Foundations in Molecular Biology
BIOL
271 Evolution
At least 45 points from:
BIOL
210 Vertebrate Biology
BIOL
211 Insect Biology
BIOL
212 Marine Biology and Ecology
BIOL
215 Plant Diversity
& Systematics
BIOL
270 Ecology
BIOL 272 Principles of Animal Behaviour
BIOL
273 New Zealand Biodiversity and Biosecurity
Year 3
Essential
BIOL
309 Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists §
BIOL
371 Evolutionary Biology
At least 28 points from:
BIOL
330 Advanced Concepts in Genetics
BIOL 332 Genetics and Evolution of Invasive
Species
BIOL
373 Behavioural Ecology
BIOL 377 Global Change and Biosecurity
BIOL 378 Conservation and Ecology of
Populations
§ Note students wishing to progress to 4th year in any Biology major are expected to have taken BIOL309.