Adaptive dynamics, fall 2012

News

A collection of papers for the projects can be found in room C326. 

There are three different ways how to get a grade for the AD course:

1) You choose one paper (from the ca. 35 papers that can be found in the projects folder in room C326.) and give a presentation about the paper (what's in the paper, what's good, what's weak or bad) and answer questions about this paper as well as the lecture notes. This will be an oral exam by me and a co-examiner (probably Eva Kisdi or Paolo Muratore-Ginanneschi). The date of the exam we agree on together and could be anything between now and Easter 2013.

2) You choose a paper, reproduce the results and if possible, extend or improve the results and write a written report about the paper and what you did with it.  The report should be on my desk not later than Easter 2013.

3) Any project related to AD and that I agree on. I should have the result before Easter 2013.

Whichever possibility you choose, consult with me and/or Thomas Vallier whenever you get stuck or are uncertain whether you're doing well. Consulting with us  DOES NOT negatively affect the grade you'll get. 

Here are some general ideas on how one could possibly extend or vary on the paper that you have chosen for the project:

1) Vary parameter values or vary the model itself.

4) Study the dimorphic evolution -- many papers stop after branching and do not follow up what happens thereafter. You can do better! 

3) If the model uses a specific trade-off between two evolving traits, try "critical function analysis" to study trade-offs in a more general way.

4) Study the dimension of the environmental feedback: this will tell you already a lot about what is evolutionarily possible and what not. 

Remember: if you get stuck, or are uncertain of how to proceed, consulting with us DOES NOT negatively affect your grade!

Lecturer

Stefan Geritz

Scope

10 cu.

Type

Advanced studies

Prerequisites

Acquaintance with (systems of) ordinary differential equations would come in handy.

What is adaptive dynamics?

See here for a summary of adaptive dynamics and here for an extensive list of published papers on the theory and applications of adaptive dynamics.

Lectures

Weeks 36-42 and 44-50, Tuesday 14-16 in room B321, Thursday 14-16 in room B322. Two hours of exercise classes per week.

Exams

The exam with be in the form of an oral exam or a written project.

Bibliography

We recycle the lecture notes of the 2010 course. 

Registration

Did you forget to register? What to do.

Exercise groups