Biological Sciences
BIO 432C - Evolutionary Medicine
Description: This course integrates medicine and the biological sciences, in particular the study of adaptation as it applies to the study of the human body. By combining these topics, the course provides students with intellectual tools that allow them to develop a new perspective on the study of medicine, and the role of evolution in shaping how and why the human body contains both exquisite adaptations as well as otherwise inexplicable shortcomings. Students learn these intellectual tools by cooperating to present papers from the primary literature to their peers. Students will be capable of developing and evaluating hypotheses concerning the evolution of human disease, and will understand why humans are susceptible to our species' common maladies: such as cancer, diabetes, mental illness, and infectious and non-infectious disease. Letter grade only.
Units:
3
Sections offered:
Spring 2025
Requirement Designation:
Senior Capstone
Liberal Studies Essential Skills:
Effective Writing, Scientific Inquiry
Prerequisite: (BIO 201 and BIO 202 with grades of C or better); and Junior status or higher