Coevolution of Earth and Life

Earth is the only planet in the universe currently known to harbor life. When and how did Earth become inhabited? How have biological activities altered the planet? How have environmental changes affected the evolution of life? In this course, we explore these questions by developing an understanding of life's multi-billion year history using tools from biology, geology, paleontology, and chemistry. We discuss major groups of organisms, when they appear in the rock record, and how they have interacted with the Earth to create the habitats and ecosystems that we are familiar with today.