Members of the Center for Chemical Evolution have interwoven recent research advances in chemical evolution into course curricula at the undergraduate and graduate level.  We have developed:

• A pilot full semester course at Georgia Tech, Chemistry of the Origin of Life & Early Evolution 
• Course modules for organic chemistry, piloted at Furman University

Chemistry of the Origin of Life and Early Evolution - Full Semester

Members of the Center for Chemical Evolution have created a one semester course intended to introduce students to the current scientific theories pertaining to the origin of life and early evolution. An intrinsically interdisciplinary topic, this course includes material as varied as the use of atmospheric physics to model the early Earth, to the use of genetics to map evolution and the tree of life. The material chosen for the course helps the instructor demonstrate to the students how we can use our current knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics to places limits on possible scenarios for the origin of life, and eventually solve the problem of how life began on Earth. An equally important objective of this course, particularly when taught at the undergraduate level, is to help students develop critical thinking skills, the ability to read scientific literature and to inspire them to pursue answers to big questions/challenges in science and society.

For samples of course materials from the pilot course at Georgia Tech, download the information below:

Model Syllabus

Class Meeting Topics

Literature Resources 

Chemical Origins of Life Modules for Organic Chemistry Courses

Center member and chemistry faculty member at Furman University, Greg Springsteen, has developed several modules for introductory organic chemistry courses built around themes and research in origins of life chemistry. These modules have been successfully piloted at Furman and are available for use in any organic chemistry class.

• Module One:  The Origins of Chirality
  • Pre-reading
  • Pre-homework
  • Lecture Notes & Slides
  • Problem Set
  • Solution Set 

• Module Two:  Chemicals to Cells, Part I
  • Pre-reading
  • Pre-homework
  • Lecture Notes & Slides
  • Problem Set
  • Solution Set
  • Article 

• Module Three:  Chemicals to Cells, Part II
  • Pre-reading
  • Pre-homework
  • Lecture Notes & Slides
  • Problem Set
  • Solution Set  

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