Introduction to Biology: Evolution

Introduction to Biology: Evolution

This course is part of Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity Specialization

Instructor: Scott Solomon

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

How biologists advanced the science of evolution since Charles Darwin; the many applications of evolutionary biology to our everyday lives.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

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Assessments

10 assignments¹

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Taught in English

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This course is part of the Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 6 modules in this course

Evolution is one of the most interesting fields within biology, and one that’s central to a complete understanding of modern biology. We begin by tracing how Charles Darwin developed a theory of evolution by natural selection and the many ways that biologists have advanced the science of evolution since his lifetime. We then go on to learn about the many applications of evolutionary biology to our everyday lives.

What's included

2 videos3 readings1 discussion prompt

In this module, we will learn how ideas about evolution changed from ancient Greece to Victorian England, when two naturalists independently developed a theory of evolution by natural selection.

What's included

6 videos8 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

6 videosTotal 40 minutes

Why Evolution Matters?6 minutes
Early Ideas of Evolution11 minutes
Charles Darwin (Part I)8 minutes
Charles Darwin (Part II)6 minutes
Alfred Russel Wallace5 minutes
On the Origin of Species3 minutes

8 readingsTotal 31 minutes

Incomplete Notes on "Why Evolution Matters?"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Early Ideas of Evolution"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Charles Darwin I"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Charles Darwin II"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Alfred Russel Wallace"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "On the Origin of Species"1 minute
📖 Openstax textbook references for Module 115 minutes
Supplementary Reading10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Uniformitarianism10 minutes
Module 1 Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Everyday Evolution10 minutes

In this module, we will learn what Darwin proposed about evolution by natural selection, how the other mechanisms of evolution work, and how the Hardy-Weinberg Principle can be used to determine whether a population is evolving.

What's included

6 videos8 readings3 assignments

6 videosTotal 40 minutes

What Did Darwin Propose?7 minutes
What was Missing from Darwin's Theory?9 minutes
Why Darwin was Disgusted by Peacocks5 minutes
Mechanisms of Evolution8 minutes
Classic Experiment: Lederberg's Experiment5 minutes
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium7 minutes

8 readingsTotal 46 minutes

Incomplete Notes on "What Did Darwin Propose?"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "What Was Missing from Darwin's Theory?"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Why Darwin Was Disgusted by Peacocks"1 minute
Problems with the Theory of Sexual Selection10 minutes
Incomplete Notes on "Mechanisms of Evolution"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Lederberg's Experiment"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium"1 minute
📖 Openstax textbook references for Module 230 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 46 minutes

Is it Evolution?15 minutes
Extending Lederberg's Experiment1 minute
Module 2 Quiz30 minutes

In this module, we will learn about the process of speciation, how evolutionary relationships can be depicted using phylogenetic trees, and some of the practical applications of phylogenetics.

What's included

4 videos6 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

4 videosTotal 26 minutes

Speciation Part I12 minutes
Speciation - Part II4 minutes
Phylogenetics4 minutes
Applying Phylogenetics6 minutes

6 readingsTotal 69 minutes

Incomplete Notes on "Speciation I"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Speciation II"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Phylogenetics"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Applying Phylogenetics"1 minute
📖 Openstax textbook references for Module 355 minutes
The Web of Life10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Interpreting Phylogeny30 minutes
Module 3 Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 15 minutes

Synthesizing Species15 minutes

In this module, we will learn about the many different types of evidence for evolution– including the fossil record, biogeography, comparative anatomy, and direct observation– and gain an appreciation for the role of evolution in the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

What's included

6 videos9 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt

6 videosTotal 57 minutes

Transitional Forms7 minutes
Evidence for Evolution: Biogeography8 minutes
Comparative Anatomy6 minutes
Galapagos Finches6 minutes
Lenski's Experiment7 minutes
Interview with Dr. Shamoo23 minutes

9 readingsTotal 56 minutes

Incomplete Notes on "Transitional Forms"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Biogeography"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Comparative Anatomy"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Galapagos Finches"1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Lenski's Experiment1 minute
Incomplete Notes on "Interview with Dr. Shamoo"10 minutes
Dr. Shamoo's bio (optional)1 minute
📖 Openstax textbook references for Module 410 minutes
What's a "Missing Link"?30 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 53 minutes

Predicting Tiktaalik8 minutes
Comparative Anatomy of Humans15 minutes
Module 4 Quiz30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 20 minutes

Universality of Evolution20 minutes

What's included

1 video1 peer review

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Instructor

Top Instructor

Scott Solomon

Rice University

3 Courses21,283 learners

Offered by

Rice University

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