Team-taught course with faculty from Departments of Physics, Astronomy, Geosciences, Microbiology, Biology, Anthropology, Psychology, Computer Science, Philosophy, and History. Lecture topics include Cosmic Fundamentals: space, time and relativity; matter, energy and the Standard Model. The Universe: cosmology; dark matter and dark energy; origin and evolution of galaxies, stars, the elements, the solar system, and the Earth. Life: its nature and origin; the microbial world; origin and evolution of plants and animals. Intelligence: behavior and the mind; origin and evolution of biological intelligence; artificial intelligence and robotics; life and intelligence in the universe. “Friday Forum” topics include Albert Einstein: “Indisputably One of the Greatest Men of Our Time” –George Bernard Shaw; Quantum Weirdness: “Nobody Understands Quantum Physics” –Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman; Quantum Gravity and String Theory and the Anthropic Principle and the Multiverse; Meteorites: Messengers from Space; Paradigm Shift: From a Fixed Crust to Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics; Charles Darwin: “Most Important Person Who Ever Lived” –Nobel Laureate James D. Watson; Extremophiles: Life on the Edge; Debate: Are Viruses Alive?; Debate: What Is the Mind?; Debate: Will Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Robots Ever Surpass Human Beings?; Debate: Is Extraterrestrial Intelligence Common? and The Grandest Finale: How Will It All End? Two lectures/week and a “Friday Forum” with faculty-faculty, faculty-student, and student-student discussions and debates. Not for Biology major credit. Gen Ed: SI.

Fulfills biology core requirement area(s):

None

Fulfills plant requirement for biology majors?

No

Fulfills lab requirement for biology majors?

No

Fulfills general education requirement for non-biology majors?

Yes