BIOL 3470
Darwin and Evolutionary Controversies
Focus is on controversies in evolutionary biology from Darwin's day to the present. Most of the controversies concern scientific issues such as Kelvin's estimate of age of the earth, Jenkin's argument against blending inheritance, neutral variations, effects of isolation on the role of selection, mass extinction and "nemesis," but some address social issues such as evolutionary ethics and "scientific creationism." Emphasis in the readings is on primary sources, including Darwin's Origin of Species. Writing Intensive. (Biology Major Area C)
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Reviews
Didn't get a single grade back until the end of the semester. Received final grades WEEKS into the NEXT semester. Extremely unfair and biased grading. Lectures consisted of him going on random tangents. The readings were barely explained. Absolutely NEVER take a class with him. It felt like a complete waste of time and I Iearned basically nothing.
3/28/2023
Larson can be a bit dry at first, but if you're really willing to engage with him on the theory you'll find that he's really a sweet, kind man who is really interested in what he teaches. You really have to make the effort! His tests aren't hard; he gives you all the materials you need to do well both on the test and in lecture--but they ARE long.
2/28/2020