CLIMBING MOUNT IMPROBABLE by Richard Dawkins
CLIMBING MOUNT IMPROBABLE by Richard Dawkins (1996), W. W. Norton & Company, New York
and London.
Returnable materials:
Time commitment: 6 hours minimum
Directions: Read the book “Climbing Mount Improbable”. This is a book by the lauded zoologist Richard Dawkins
describing the perfection of biological forms. Understanding the development of biological structures through
evolution is a first step to understanding how one can repair or replace these structures through the marriage of
modern engineering and medicine.
Describe the development of the Eye. How does its shape vary from invertebrates to vertebrates, from aquatic
through terrestrial? How does the picture seen improve with the morphological advances? Relate topics about DNA
to what you have learned in this class thus far. Describe the biomechanics of how flight has evolved independently
in squids, fishes, frogs, reptiles, birds, and mammals. What is the relationship between embryology, symmetry and
morphology? Describe the variation in perfection and geometry among shell types. What did you like best about
this book, and why?
Parameters: minimum of six pages, double-spaced type, 10 font
Grade determination: accuracy and thoroughness of answers to questions asked in the “directions“, originality,
clarity and quality of writing, timeliness of submission, return of any returnable materials in excellent condition
Final due date: no later than Tuesday April 28, 2015
Value: Up to 50 points extra credit
Notes: can find this book at almost any library or it may be bought at Amazon or many book
