Evolution and the origins of life - W 1400-236EPŻ-W
During this lecture, we will attempt to show the current state of nature in the context of its history. Starting from our knowledge of humans, animals, and plants today, and using retrodiction as a method of reasoning, we will look back into our planet’s past to explain the evolutionary trends we observe. We will attempt to link the history of humanity and nature with environmental changes. We will discuss both real and presumed ecological catastrophes in the distant geological past.
We will trace the evolutionary lineages of plants and animals back to the origins of life on Earth. Finally, we will examine hypotheses about the mechanisms that governed evolution at a level with no analog in today’s organisms—when there were no genes or enzymes, and when the energy sources driving life were unlike those we know today.
Course coordinators
Term 2025L: | Term 2024L: |
Type of course
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student:
- Identifies the basic methods and tools of biology, chemistry, geology, and statistics used to describe the history of life on Earth, and provides examples of their application (K_W01)
- Knows the fundamental terminology of evolutionary and ecological processes (K_W03)
- Understands the principles of the hierarchical organization of life and applies the appropriate concepts necessary for its understanding and description (K_W06)
- Understands the relationships among living organisms and extinct groups (K_W10)
- Can demonstrate the significance of selected major paleontological sites in Poland and worldwide (K_W10)
- Knows the history of life on Earth and describes evolutionary mechanisms (K_W11)
- Understands the importance of biogeography, phylogeny, and Earth’s geological history for explaining the structure and diversity of the living world (K_W09)
- Independently prepares a clear presentation based on self-developed paleobiological data (K_U07)
- Uses scientific and popular-science biological texts in both Polish and English (K_U02)
- Infers the composition of ancient ecosystems based on the preservation state of organismal remains and their taxonomic composition (K_U10).
- Concludes about paleoclimate and local environmental conditions based on fossil assemblages and their geochemical composition (K_U07).
- Understands the importance of fossils in dating sedimentary rocks (K_K01).
- Critically analyzes information appearing in the media and in professional literature (K_K08)
- Expands their interests within the natural sciences (K_K01)
Assessment criteria
The basis for receiving a graded credit is the independent preparation of a short essay on a topic related to the lecture content (approximately 4,500–6,000 characters; formatted in the style of a scientific review article). The essay will be evaluated according to both substantive and formal criteria.
Bibliography
Dzik, J. 1997. Ewolucja życia. Wielka Encyklopedia Geografii Świata, Vol. 8, 360 pp., Wydawnictwo Kurpisz, Poznań.
Dzik, J. 2023. Dzieje życia na Ziemi. Wprowadzenie do paleobiologii (wyd. V). 414 pp. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.
Krzanowska, H., Łomnicki, A., Rafiński, J., Szarski, H., & Szymura, J.M. 1995. Zarys mechanizmów ewolucji. 402 pp. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.
Stanley, S.M. 2002. Historia Ziemi. 711 pp. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.
Urbanek A. 2007. Jedno istnieje tylko zwierzę... Myśli przewodnie biologii porównawczej. 260 pp. Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii PAN, Warszawa.
Weiner, J. 2005. Życie i ewolucja biosfery. Podręcznik ekologii ogólnej. Wydanie drugie poprawione i unowocześnione. 610 pp. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.