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Academic Year 2004/2005


History of Life on Earth
E&ES 104 FA

This course has three basic goals: (1) gain understanding of the world's past biodiversity; (2) outline the history of life on earth; and (3) obtain insight in ideas about evolution and ecology. The four-billion-year history--of life on earth--its origin, its expansion, its survival through massive extinctions--is preserved in the fossil record. We will first explore the present diversity of life on Earth, with emphasis on life in the oceans. Then we will examine how this diversity evolved over geological time and include topics such as the expansion of life from the seas onto land and mass extinctions. By examining the evolutionary history of species and ecological communities through time, we will learn about the processes that have governed the pattern of life's history. By combining this information with information on the earth's physical changes in climate, atmospheric chemistry, and continental positions, we can understand how life has been affected by physical changes and how life has impacted its environment. Such knowledge of life's history can provide us with an understanding of the depth of history for millions of years and an ethic that includes at its core a long-term stewardship for planetary wellness.

MAJOR READINGS

Textbook: N. Eldredge, FOSSILS: THE EVOLUTION AND EXTINCTION OF SPECIES; paperback, 2nd edition, 1997. In addition, there will be handouts and assigned readings from various scientific journals and on the class web page.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

There will be an in-class mid-term exam, one paper or other project; and a comprehensive final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

During the semester there will be four homework assignments, including problem sets and short writing assignments.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NSM E&ES    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005


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