It then turns to chemical and physical processes that lead to internal differentiation of the Earth. Evolution of the Universe. This course is designed to encourage a sense of awe, appreciation, and understanding of the topics investigated in modern astrophysics, such as the origin of the universe, the formation and evolution of the sun and the Earth, the nature of space and time, and the search for other planets and life in the universe. Students also have a chance to experience the predicting, testing, and investigative nature of science. This course is an introduction to evolutionary processes and patterns in present-day organisms and in the fossil record and how they are shaped by biological and physical forces.
Topics emphasize evolutionary principles.
They include DNA and the genetic code, the genetics of populations, the origins of species, and evolution above the species level. We also discuss major events in the history of life, such as the origin of complex cells, the invasion of land, and mass extinction. This course emphasizes basic scientific understanding of ecological and evolutionary principles that relate most closely to the ways humans interact with their environments. Topics include population growth, adaptation, and ecosystem structure and function. We also discuss the regulation and consequences of biodiversity.