Evolution BIOL 136 Natural Sciences Common Curriculum and Environmental Studies Course    Dr. Craig S. Hood Department of Biological Sciences Monroe Rm 358 Office phone: 865-2193 Biology Office 865-2288 email: chood@loyno.edu

This course seeks to lead the student to an understanding of the patterns and processes of evolution through lectures, discussions, and critical thinking exercises. Natural selection, population genetics, macroevolution, human evolution and biodiversity are studied. For more information, link to the Course Syllabus.

Course Activities: The course includes readings, lectures, and discussions. Evolution is the unifying concept in modern biology.  Theodosius Dobzansky's statement in 1973 that "nothing makes sense in biology except in the light of evolution" is amongst the most profound ever made.  Our focus in this course is to understand major evolutionary phenomena.  Because these often occur over vast amounts of time and space, they are sometimes difficult to grasp.  For many organisms, seasonal weather patterns (fall, winter, spring, summer) span their entire lifespan, whereas for others (e.g., oak trees or people) a hundred annual seasons can be experienced.  Global patterns of interaction (a vast amount of space) and geological timescales (a vast amount of time) are challenging for us to think about and for people (including students and research scientists alike) to study.  I want us to think about, wonder about, appreciate, and understand these challenges of time and space.

The evolution of humans -- that the origin, history, and future of humans on our planet can be explained by these evolutionary processes (i.e., humans have been subject to the same processes as other organisms) -- is a major focus of this course.  But, like only a few other individual species in the history of life, humans have the capacity to impact other species -- causing their extinction or explosive population expansion.  That humans have begun to change (disrupt) global biogeochemical cycles and climate makes us an important force in the future of life on earth.  

Course Goals & Objectives:   If you and I are successful in this class, we will both reach the following objectives.  Note that understanding includes being able to explain:

• You will understand the study of evolution as a science
• You will understand how the forms, functions, and life histories of organisms have evolved
• You will understand the interconnections among organisms and the environment
• You will understand that humans have evolved and how our actions effect the evolution of other organisms

The in-class exercises, assignments, and exams are designed to lead you to achieve what I hope will be a high level of understanding.

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