Calendar of Events

The Evolving Universe from the Big Bang to Homo Sapiens

Scientific knowledge currently tells us that everything in the Universe originated from a very hot, dense singularity during the fraction of a second after the Big Bang. In this two-week forum, Associate Professor of Physics Firdevs Duru introduces that idea and other key aspects of the emergence of the Universe and life on Earth. The first session will introduce some basic physics concepts, including the nature of light, waves, particles, and force, the formation of matter and spontaneous symmetry-breaking, and the origins of mass, galaxies, stars, solar systems, and planets. The second session will focus on life on Earth.  We will begin by defining the organic chemicals and conditions essential to life on our planet, including the notion of “primordial soup” and the Miller-Urey experiment. The discussion will continue with a brief history of human species from primates to homo sapiens, including examination of concepts like Darwinian evolution, natural selection, and consideration of why today’s humans were the ones who survived.

Thursday Forum is held in Kesler Auditorium on the first floor of Hickok Hall. Each weekly session begins with registration and refreshments from 8:45-9:15 AM, followed by the lecture until 11:30 AM. The presentations blend lecture, media such as film and music, and discussion.

Admission to each four-week forum series is $40. Admission to individual lectures and one-, two-, and three-week forums is $12 per week. Admission includes the lecture and morning refreshments of coffee, tea and pastries. Payment can be made in person on Thursday mornings by cash or personal check. Credit card payments can be processed by registering online in advance at www.coe.edu/thursday-forum. For more information, visit the Thursday Forum website or call 319.399.8523.

In the event of inclement weather, consult local media outlets to find out if the day’s forum will take place.

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