Evolution: the history of life on earth

Catalog description

From DNA to fossils billions of years old, the evidence for evolution is all around us. This course is an introduction to the science of evolutionary biology for those not majoring in the life sciences. Topics covered include the mechanisms of evolution, such as natural selection, adaptation, and the formation of species; the patterns of evolution, such as mass extinction and the chronicle of life on earth; and applications of evolutionary principles to human society, such as medicine, agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. The overriding aim of the course is to educate students on evolutionary biology as a science.