Includes bibliographical references and index.

The nature of science and evolution, and evolution as science -- The origin of matter, the universe and earth -- The origin of molecules and the nature of life -- From molecules to cells and the origin of selection -- Darwin and the voyage of the Beagle -- Darwin and Wallace's evolution by natural selection -- Darwin, Mendel, and theories of inheritance -- From single-celled organisms to kingdoms -- Eukaryotic cells and multicellular organisms -- Plants and fungi as branches of the tree of life -- Animals as a branch of the tree of life -- Individual genetic variation and gene regulation -- Genetic variation in populations -- The biology of populations -- Natural selection -- Species and similarity : on being the same yet different -- Origin of species -- Mass extinctions, opportunities, and adaptive radiations -- Human origins and evolution -- Cultural and social evolution -- Culture, religion, and evolution.