BIO402 Molecular Evolution
BIO402 Molecular Evolution
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Mar 03, 2026
Syllabus Quick Jump
Search and navigate to any syllabus instantly
Genetics and Bioengineering
Muhamed Adilović
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
This course aims to introduce students to the concepts of Molecular Evolution, building upon the fundaments of genetics. The aim is also to provide students with practical skills required for the study of molecular evolution using various online resources and software.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
An Introduction to Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics 2nd Edition, Lindell Bromham, ISBN-13: 978-0198736363
Additional Literature
Fundamentals of Molecular Evolution 2nd Edition, Dan Graur and Wen-Hsiung Li Bioinformatics for beginners genes, genomes, molecular evolution, databases and analytical tools, Supratim ChoudhuriTeaching Methods
Class lectures
Presentations
Discussions
Practical analyses.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction - DNA | Chapters 1, 2 |
| 2 | Mutations and Replication | Chapters 3, 4 |
| 3 | Genome and Genes | Chapters 5, 6 |
| 4 | Selection - Descent with Modification | Chapter 7 |
| 5 | Drift - Chance and Necessity | Chapter 8 |
| 6 | Species - Origin of Species | Chapter 9 |
| 7 | MIDTERM | |
| 8 | Alignment - Same but Different | Chapter 10 |
| 9 | Phylogeny - Tree of Life | Chapter 11 |
| 10 | Hypotheseses - Seeing the Wood for the Trees | Chapter 12 |
| 11 | Rates - Tempo and Mode | Chapter 13 |
| 12 | Dates - Telling the Time | Chapter 14 |
| 13 | Project Initiation - Usage of Online Resources | Practical |
| 14 | Project Development - Formulating Research Study | Practical |
| 15 | Project Finalization - Conduction of Research and Delivery of Results | Practical |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 11:00 | A F1.33 | |
| Wednesday | 08:00 - 11:00 | A F1.33 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Midterm
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Presentation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Project
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lectures
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Home Study
45 hours ⏳ (15 week × 3 h)
Presentation Preparation
15 hours ⏳ (1 week × 15 h)
Midterm Preparation
15 hours ⏳ (1 week × 15 h)
Project
15 hours ⏳ (3 week × 5 h)
Final Preparation
15 hours ⏳ (1 week × 15 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [BIO402] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
Print Syllabus
Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| BIO402 | Molecular Evolution | 3 | 1 | 6 | Wednesday 12:00-14:50 | |||||
| Prerequisite | Junior Standing | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Muhamed Adilović | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Tuesday: 8:00-11:00 Wednesday: 8:00-11:00 |
|||||||
| madilovic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | This course aims to introduce students to the concepts of Molecular Evolution, building upon the fundaments of genetics. The aim is also to provide students with practical skills required for the study of molecular evolution using various online resources and software. | |||||||||
| Textbook | An Introduction to Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics 2nd Edition, Lindell Bromham, ISBN-13: 978-0198736363 | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Class lectures, presentations, discussions, practical analyses. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction - DNA | Chapters 1, 2 | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Mutations and Replication | Chapters 3, 4 | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Genome and Genes | Chapters 5, 6 | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Selection - Descent with Modification | Chapter 7 | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Drift - Chance and Necessity | Chapter 8 | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Species - Origin of Species | Chapter 9 | ||||||||
| Week 7 | MIDTERM | |||||||||
| Week 8 | Alignment - Same but Different | Chapter 10 | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Phylogeny - Tree of Life | Chapter 11 | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Hypotheseses - Seeing the Wood for the Trees | Chapter 12 | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Rates - Tempo and Mode | Chapter 13 | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Dates - Telling the Time | Chapter 14 | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Project Initiation - Usage of Online Resources | Practical | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Project Development - Formulating Research Study | Practical | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Project Finalization - Conduction of Research and Delivery of Results | Practical | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midterm | 1 | 21 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Presentation | 1 | 15 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Project | 1 | 24 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lectures | 3 | 15 | 45 | Home Study | 3 | 15 | 45 | |||
| Presentation Preparation | 15 | 1 | 15 | Midterm Preparation | 15 | 1 | 15 | |||
| Project | 5 | 3 | 15 | Final Preparation | 15 | 1 | 15 | |||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 27/03/2026 | |||||||||