BIO 118 CC: UNDERSTANDING EVOLUTION

"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution" (Theodosius Dobzhansky, 1973). In this course, students will study the nature of science in order to underscore the educational and societal need that we have today to confront the challenges presented by creationism and by the pseudoscience pervasive in our culture. Students will distinguish science from pseudoscience by applying the concepts of genetic change, the origin of species, evidence for evolution, patterns of diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and the evolution of humans. Drawing on information from historical, artistic, mathematical, medical, and literary fields, students will assess the impact of evolution in multiple disciplines. Implications about evolution for medicine and human diversity will enable students to examine ethical issues and understand the value of diversity in our species, Homo sapiens.