91123 Nature and Evolution

Description

The existence of all species on our planet today has been made possible through the evolution of a vast diversity of biota, and there is considerable variation among living organisms and how they interact with their environment. Students develop their understanding of the biological complexity of life by investigating the question: What does it take for life to exist in the range of habitats across the globe? Students learn about the adaptations that bacteria, archaea, protists, plants, animals and fungi have evolved over time in response to changing environmental conditions and that allow biota to inhabit the vast array of ecosystems on Earth. The major taxa are explored with reference to their evolution over time, that is movement from water to land and in some cases back again. By running a short-term monitoring experiment to explore the importance biotic and abiotic requirements for a sustainable ecosystem, students learn how to generate testable hypotheses, collect scientific data and communication of research findings. The subject concludes with a reflection of today’s pressures on biodiversity and how these shape current trends in evolution and species diversity.

Typical availability

Spring session, City campus

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