Diversity of Life

This course will explore biological diversity – the number of taxa, and the functions, and processes that support life – from the perspectives of ecology and evolutionary biology. It will draw on examples and case studies from the geological record, functional morphology, the evolution of organ systems in vertebrates, genomics, behavior and sexual selection in birds and invertebrates. Overarching themes will emphasize that taxonomic diversity is an emergent property of complex life on Earth, and the importance of diversity of biological functions and processes in generating and maintaining taxonomic diversity. The course is open to all students.