A Three-Step Method for Teaching the Principles of Evolution to Non-Biology Major Undergraduates

Authors

Cameron M. Smith, Portland State UniversityFollow

Published In

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2011

Subjects

Evolution -- Study and teaching, Life -- Origin -- Study and teaching

Abstract

A method for teaching the principles of evolution in a 50-minute lecture for undergraduate non-biology majors is described. The method “unpacks” evolution into three observable, factual occurrences: replication (R, reproduction), variation (V, differences between parent and offspring and siblings), and selection (S, nonrandom differential survival of offspring). This method has been particularly effective in demonstrating to students that evolution is the factual, unintended consequence of three independent phenomena (R, V, S).

Description

This is an open access article. Copyright 2011 by the article author(s). All rights reserved.

The The definitive version was published online at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12052-010-0296-z

DOI

10.1007/s12052-010-0296-z

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/16565

Citation Details

Smith, C. (2011). A Three-Step Method for Teaching the Principles of Evolution to Non-Biology Major Undergraduates. Evolution: Education and Outreach, Volume 4, Issue 2 , pp 293-297.