Learn about Evolution in Rice’s Biology Course 2

Evolutionary biology is fascinating and relevant to our modern lives

Evolution in biology is one of the most exciting scientific fields and is central to a complete understanding of modern biology. Start discovering your origins and how evolution affects society and your daily life.

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DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Biology: Evolution (Course 2)

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.

Who should attend:

Anyone interested in biology and the sub-field of evolutionary biology
College and high school students who want to experience a university-level or Rice University science course
High school and middle school teachers who need a high-quality supplementary resource for teaching biology to students
Global science and nature enthusiasts who want to take a fun, interactive biology course online

You will be able to:

Define evolution, evolutionary biology, and Darwin’s theory of natural selection
Understand the origins of evolution and important scientific concepts from evolutionary biology, including speciation, heredity, and phylogenetics
Apply evolutionary biology concepts to practical, everyday considerations like how antibiotic-resistant bacteria works and human mindfulness

LECTURE SAMPLES

MEET YOUR RICE PROFESSOR

Scott Solomon, Ph.D.

Dr. Scott Solomon is a biologist, professor, and science communicator. He teaches ecology, evolutionary biology, and scientific communication as an Associate Teaching Professor at Rice University in Houston. Dr. Solomon is also a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. He has a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Texas at Austin where his research examined the evolutionary basis of biological diversity in the Amazon Basin.

Dr. Solomon often speaks and writes about science at schools, museums, churches, science cafés, TEDx events, and other venues and has appeared on radio broadcasts on NPR and the BBC World Service and television series such as NASA’s Unexplained Files and Life 2.0. His writing and photography have appeared in publications such as NBC News, Slate, Aeon, Nautilus, and Wired, and his first book, Future Humans: Inside the Science of Our Continuing Evolution was published by Yale University Press and was included on the 2017 Best Book List by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

SEE THE COURSE