The Evolution Report is a series of audio programs on evolutionary topics. It is primarily intended to be supplemental instruction for BIOL 322 Evolutionary Biology at California State University, Northridge. Students say that they don't have enough time to study more than they are already studying, but many spend tons of down-time in their cars and relaxing before bed. Our idea then was to produce an entertaining show that could be listened to during this down-time and that would not consume high-quality time. The goal is to make evolutionary topics more familiar. The Evolution Report is not meant to be a thing that itself can be studied. Instead, after listening to the Evolution Report we imagine that material in class will be absorbed more easily and be more interesting. We also hope that the Evolution Report will entertain and inform people not in BIOL 322 who take an interest in the origins of adaptations and the diversity of life. Funding for the Evolution Report was provided by a grant by the NIH to Dr. Maria Elena Zavala for supplemental instruction in the biomedical sciences, particularly so-called "gatekeeper courses", i.e., those that students of the biomedical sciences need to do well in early during their college careers. Additional funding was provided by a Judge Julian Beck Grant administered by CSUN. Episodes do not depend on one another. Students taking BIOL 322 might want to listen to them in the following order.
Paul Siri Wilson, Department of Biology, California State University Northridge. mail: paulsiriwilson@gmail.com