Evolution of the Earth and Life

Catalog description

This class covers events and organisms in the history of the Earth and its life, especially those that commonly appear in popular media such as documentaries, books, and science journalism. The class is intended for students of any background interested in an introductory exploration of how the Earth and life came to look the way they do and the science by which we study the geological past. Learn about movements of the continents and implications for climate and life; coevolution of life and the atmosphere; climate change through geologic time; and major patterns of biological evolution, including dinosaur diversification, mass extinctions, and human evolution. The course includes assignments to visit the Museum of the Earth and geological sites around the Cornell campus.