NCHU Course Outline
Course Name (中) 真核生物多樣性與演化(8014)
(Eng.) Diversity and Evolution of Eukaryotes
Offering Dept Graduate Institute of Biotechnology
Course Type Elective Credits 3 Teacher 顧銓
Department International Master Program in Plant and Microbial Biology/Graduate Language English Semester 2025-FALL
Course Description This is an introductory course on the diversity of eukaryotes in different aspects —
from genomes to ecological interactions. Major topics include evolutionary
relationships and history, cell structures and functions, and importance for various
ecosystems and humanity. More emphasis is put on eukaryotes less covered in
other courses — namely protists (algae and non-photosynthetic microbial
eukaryotes) — which occur in oceans, soils, lakes, animal guts and many other
environments.
Prerequisites
self-directed learning in the course Y
Relevance of Course Objectives and Core Learning Outcomes(%) Teaching and Assessment Methods for Course Objectives
Course Objectives Competency Indicators Ratio(%) Teaching Methods Assessment Methods
To acquire a basic understanding of: 1. Evolutionary origin, history and diversity
of eukaryotes and their genomes, organelles, biochemistry, cells, and organismic
biology (Part I: Week 2–7) 2. Major eukaryotic lineages and important eukaryotic
microbes (Part II: Week 9–12, written assignment and oral presentation) 3.
Relationships between eukaryotic microbes and Earth, ecosystems, humans, and
other microbes (Part III: Week 13 [and 9–12])
topic Discussion/Production
Discussion
Lecturing
Written Presentation
Oral Presentation
Assignment
Course Content and Homework/Schedule/Tests Schedule
Week Course Content
Week 1 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 2 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 3 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 4 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 5 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 6 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 7 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 8 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 9 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 10 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 11 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 12 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 13 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 14 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 15 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
Week 16 https://tigp-biodiv.biodiv.tw/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Diversity-andEvolution-ofEukaryotes_syllabus_2025Fall.pdf
self-directed
learning
   02.Viewing multimedia materials related to industry and academia.
   03.Preparing presentations or reports related to industry and academia.

Evaluation
Written assignment 20%
Oral presentation 15%
Midterm 20%
In-class participation 10%
Attendance and punctuality 10%
Final exam 25%
Textbook & other References
1. Archibald et al., Eds., Handbook of the Protists (Springer, ed. 2nd, 2017). 2. Adl
et al., Revisions to the classification, nomenclature, and diversity of eukaryotes. J.
Eukaryot. Microbiol. 66, 4–119 (2019). 3. Lee, Phycology (Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge, ed. 4, 2008). 4. Willey et al., Prescott’s Microbiology (McGrawHill Education, ed. 10, 2017). 5. Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell
(Garland Science, ed. 6, 2015). 6. Other selected review articles and research
papers. 7. Adl, Protistology (Elsevier, ed. 1, 2024)
Teaching Aids & Teacher's Website
Course slides (midterm and final exam)
Additional reading (final exam):
Sun et al., Host range and coding potential of eukaryotic giant viruses. Viruses 12,
1337 (2020).
Wells et al., Algae as nutritional and functional food sources: revisiting our
understanding. J. Appl. Phycol. 29:949–82 (2017).
Office Hours
Instructor: Chuan Ku chuanku@gate.sinica.edu.tw
TA: Ming-Wei Lai mwlai@gate.sinica.edu.tw (02-27871147)
Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs(Link URL)
02.Zero Hungerinclude experience courses:N
Please respect the intellectual property rights and use the materials legally.Please respect gender equality.
Update Date, year/month/day:2025/08/26 17:32:11 Printed Date, year/month/day:2025 / 10 / 19
The second-hand book website:http://www.myub.com.tw/