Program Highlighted | Evolutionary Biology
Interview with | Amanda Ferrao
Date | February 2007

Introduction | Anne Pound

Ecologists and evolutionists recognize that all life has evolved. The understanding  of the origin and maintenance of diversity  of genomes and  ecosystems underlie all life sciences and is critical to our stewardship of life. Society needs to make informed decisions about sustainable development, global temperature change, control of invasive species, the preservation of genetic diversity and ecosystem integrity, and control of emerging infectious diseases such as SARS and drug-resistant malaria. These are fundamentally evolutionary and ecological problems. Our department views our teaching program as incredibly valuable. Our students are the voices of the future, and we aim to have those voices speak loudly and clearly.  Research faculty for our programs use a variety of approaches in their studies, including molecular approaches, laboratory studies, computer modelling and/or field studies.  There are many research opportunities for undergraduates and students are encouraged to take advantage of all our programs have to offer. For the Evolutionary Biology program we require our students to have a >field course.  This is particularly exciting as the students get to view the theoretical things they learn in class out in the field. Learning in an environment such as this is completely new to most of our students and they find it an extremely rewarding experience.   We also require our students to take a small seminar course (no larger than 12 students). Students interact with professors throughout the year and discuss papers >and current theories in a small setting, which hopefully encourages more independent thought and dialogue.  We are trying to emphasize an array of learning environments for our specialists, ones in which they can hopefully discover their own niche and pursue whatever career path they choose.

Interview | Amanda Ferrao

Amanda Ferrao is a fifth year, Innis College Evolutionary Biology Specialist student. For the complete interview click here.

For furher information about the program in University of Toronto and beyond, click here.