56-1351 Mammal Evolution

This course explores the evolution and diversification of mammals through time, focusing on evidence from the fossil record and from living mammals. Humans are one of about 4,600 species of diverse mammals sharing the planet today. What are the origins of this amazing diversity We will examine the evolutionary history of the group to which we belong beginning with our ancestors almost 300 million years ago. Fossil and extant mammal morphology, physiology, behavior, ecology, and biogeography, as well as specific evidence for a shared evolutionary history will be compared and analyzed in lecture and lab. Prior experience with Earth Science and/or Biology courses is strongly recommended (e.g. Vertebrate Paleontology, Biology, Zoology, Animal Physiology, Physical Geology, Marine Biology, etc).

4 Credits
SL