Beyond the Tree: A Values-Based Approach to Teaching Phylogenetics

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology with computational and mathematical sciences. In this course, phylogenetics is an important section, which focuses on evolutionary relationships of organisms on earth using computational methods. Furthermore, "Curriculum Ideological and Political Education" (CIPE) is an educational strategy that aims to integrate ideological and political elements into all subjects. In this study, we present our pedagogical framework for integrating CIPE into the teaching of phylogenetics. The three core components of this course are Evolutionary Theory, Computational Methods, and Practical Applications. These components support the development of three CIPE principles: Scientific Integrity, Critical Thinking, and Social Responsibility. We apply this pedagogical framework in practice through a case study approach, with examples covering biodiversity conservation, public health, and food security.