This course is a comparative study of the major anatomical structures and physiological processes of living organisms. Basic taxonomy and major life cycles are covered, as well as how organisms solve problems of fluid transport, gas exchange, excretion of waste, water/salt balance, nutrition, communication, and movement. The course also focuses on the study of evolutionary processes and the interaction of organisms with each other and with their environment. Topics include natural selection, speciation, behavior, dynamics of populations, species interactions, ecosystem and global dynamics, and conservation biology.