Cosmic Evolution

Abstract

Just as biological evolution is the heart of modern biology, cosmic evolution is the heart of modern cosmology. For instructors to be confident in teaching science, it is helpful for them to appreciate the current understanding of the composition and development of the universe, especially the revolutionary changes that have taken place in our understanding over the last two decades. Biological evolution requires the products of cosmic evolution - the elements of which life is composed were formed in the cores of stars - and the two areas of science are thus crucially, and even inspiringly, connected.