This course surveys the pattern and process of biological evolution. Major topics include: historical recognition of evolutionary pattern (biological diversity in geological time); foundation theory of evolutionary process; relationships of the major domains/kingdoms of life; early Earth and prebiotic evolution; origin of nucleic acids and self-replication; origin of prokaryotes; endosymbiosis and origin of the eukaryotic cell; origin and evolution of protoctistans, fungi, plants, and animals; modern theory of evolutionary process, including microevolution, speciation, and macroevolution; relationship of evolution and systematics; molecular approaches to the study of evolution and the construction of phylogenies.

Fall/Spring: 9 units
Prerequisite (or concurrently): 03-121.