Presented by Marc Presler, Peter Wang, and Elizabeth Brown

Few biological concepts are as perennially captivating and contentious as the theory of evolution. Rather than reciting another litany of evidence in support of the idea, this seminar hopes to address the oft-asked but rarely discussed questions about how evolution actually works in nature.

The first section of this lecture will cover important concepts that inform how a seemingly unguided process can result in complex and even beautiful organisms we see today. The second portion will delve into specific ways that organisms develop their forms, and how these processes can be influenced by evolution and create large amounts of diversity through even small changes over time. The final segment will explore recent human evolution as an illustration of how some of these same forces act on us as well.