NAS 331 - Evolutionary Biology

Credits: 3

Prerequisite(s): NAS 111, NAS 214, and NAS 225.
Charles Darwin proposed in 1859 a radical new idea about the origins of life. Namely, that the myriad of life on this planet all came from one single common ancestor. Since that time the astounding scientific discoveries of the 20th and 21st century have cemented this new idea as the backbone of modern biology. Today’s incredible medical advances in everything from hereditary diseases and organ transplants to vaccines and antibiotics rely on evolutionary theory for guidance. This course explores the foundational principles that Darwin proposed such as natural and sexual selection along with the latest 21st century discoveries that are revolutionizing life as we know it.