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Evolution

All the sciences, from astronomy to biology, have worked together to discover the processes that create the current state of our universe, our world, and ourselves. These evolutionary processes define the origin of the atoms that make up all matter, the origin of stars and planets, and the development of life itself. The University of Arizona College of Science is proud to present these seven lectures. Each will illustrate this vision of evolution and demonstrate how we know that evolution represents reality. (from UA Science Lecture Series)

1. Biological Evolution: What It Is and What It Isn't
Joanna Masel discusses how scientific theories of evolution explain how living things may look as if they were designed, whether humans are still evolving and the differences between science and religion, including a discussion of intelligent design.

2. Earth Evolution: The Formation of Our Planet
Joaquin Ruiz tells the story of how the Earth evolved from its fiery beginnings to the habitable planet we all enjoy.

3. Social Evolution: Cooperation and Conflict from Molecules to Society
By Rick Michod. Although the Darwinian explanation for the diversity of life is often characterized as "nature red in tooth and claw," this talk will discuss how recent research shows that cooperation, too, plays a fundamental role in evolution.

4. Human Evolution: Tracing Our Origins with DNA
Michael Hammer discusses the latest discoveries about the origin of our species, including the intriguing possibility of interbreeding between our ancestors and Neandertals.

5. Disease Evolution: The Example of HIV
By Michael Worobey. Evolutionary insights have been key to understanding the origins of HIV and its devastating impacts on human health. The talk describes how some of the landmark evolutionary discoveries have been used to shed light on the past, present and future of HIV/AIDS.