ARSC 104 Module 3

Planet Earth & Evolution

Module 3: Planet Earth & Evolution explores fundamental scientific theories in geology and biology. Students examine the scientific evidence supporting the shape, size, and age of Earth. After gaining an understanding of Earth’s history, students spend several lectures exploring the evidence that supports Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and Natural Selection. The module concludes with a return to the discussion on science and religion, giving students an opportunity to reflect on how their views on these two ways of knowing have evolved over the first three modules.

Lecture Schedule & Resources

Lecture 1: Size & Shape of Earth

Lecture 2: Composition of Fossils

Lecture 3: Radiometric Dating

Lecture 4: A Timeline of All Things on Earth

Lecture 5: Behind the Curve

Lecture 6: Evolution and Natural Selection

Lecture 7: Evidence of Evolution in Living Organisms

Lecture 8: Evidence of Evolution in the Fossil Record

Lecture 9: Evidence of Human Evolution

Lecture 10: DNA Structure and Function

Lecture 11: DNA and Evolution

Lecture 12: Discussion of Evolution and Religion

Evidence that supports a spherical Earth. Calculating Earth's size.

How do fossils form? What can fossils tell us about time and climate?

Relative dating vs. absolute dating. Radioactive decay.

Use of fossil record and radiometric dating to create a timeline of all things on Earth.

Additional Resources: Understanding Earth's Age: Early Efforts by Naturalists and Chronologists; A Very Deep Question: Just How Old is Earth?

Discussion of Flat Earth Theory

Observations, reasoning, and historical context that led to Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Common misconceptions debunked.

Natural Selection Activity. Evidence that supports evolution by natural selection. Homologous structures, vestigial structures, developmental homologies, cellular & molecular homologies. Biogeography.

Macroevolution. How did life begin? Vertebrate Homology.

Additional Resources: The Demise of Vitalism & Search for Life's Origin

Race is a social, not biological category. The evolution of skin color. Out of Africa Hypothesis. History of Hominidae.

Additional Reading: Ancient Footprints

Additional Resources: Piecing Together the Structure of DNA

Additional Resources: Creativity and Discovery: The Work of Gregor Mendel

Additional Resources: Lecture Slides; Charles Darwin: A Gentle Revolutionary; Adversity and Perseverance: Alfred Russel Wallace