Adult Education
Course Schedule

Fall 2007 Courses

Invertebrate Diversity with an Emphasis on Mollusks, Professor Daniel Graf. Tuesday, September 25, 2007, beginning at 6:30 PM. 7 Tuesdays. The Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This course will examine the most interesting, most important group of animals to ever inhabit the earth. This course requires preregistration and is limited to 15 students. 

To preregister, call 215-763-6529, ext. 23, beginning Tuesday, September 4.

Technological Breakthroughs of the 20th Century, Professor Paul Angiolillo. Wednesday, September 26, 2007, beginning at 6:30 PM. 8 Wednesdays. Wynnefield Branch of the Free Library, 5325 Overbrook Avenue. This course will explore technological breakthroughs that occurred during the 20th century that many of us take for granted, placing particular emphasis on the personalities and politics that shaped the discoveries.  No preregistration required.

An Introduction to Insects and Related Arthropods, Professors Robert T. Allen and Jon Gelhaus. Thursday, September 27, 2007, beginning at 6:30 PM. 8 Thursdays. The Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This class will explore the diversity of insects and related arthropods, examining the features of insects which have made them the most successful group of organisms on earth. This course requires preregistration and is limited to 20 students.  To preregister, call 215-763-6529, ext. 23., beginning Tuesday, September 4.

Human Evolution: The Legacy of the Intelligent Biped, Professor Janet Monge. Monday, October 15, 2007, beginning at 6:30 PM. 6 Mondays. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 33rd and Spruce Streets. This class will explore human evolution and what that means for us today.  No preregistration required.

Spring 2008 Courses

Mosses, Ferns, and Other Non-Flowering Plants, Professor Karen Snetselaar. Monday, January 14, 2008, beginning at 6:30 PM. 6 Mondays.  Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 100 N. 20th Street (20th and Arch Streets).  Flowering plants have been on this earth a relatively short time.  This class will survey the evolutionary history of land plants, including the members of these ancient groups that are still around today and are of special interest to gardeners and naturalists. Preregistration required.  Class is now full.  No more preregistrations accepted.

Big Cats, Little Cats, and Their Genes, Professor Mary Beth Davis.  Wednesday, January 16, 2008, beginning at 6:30 PM. 7 Wednesdays.  Independence Branch of the Free Library, 18 S. 7th Street (7th and Market Streets). This course will begin with the recent DNA studies that elucidated evolutionary relationships between cat species.  Most of the course will focus on understanding the genetic basis of specific traits in the domestic cat.  No preregistration required.

Mesozoic Ruling Reptiles, Professor William Gallagher. Saturday, January 26, 2008, beginning at 10:15 AM. 10 Saturdays. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 33rd and Spruce Streets. This course will study the great reptiles of the Mesozoic era from the early history of the dinosaur to the end of the Mesozoic and the big extinction.  No preregistration required.

Perching Birds of the World - Passeriform (Songbird) Families, Professor Nathan Rice. Thursday, January 31, 2008, beginning at 6:30 PM.  7 Thursdays.  The Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This class will focus on songbirds, the largest and most diverse clade of modern birds.  Each week we will discuss a series working almost exclusively from the Academy's world-class bird collection.  Preregistration required and limited to 12 students.  Class is now full.  No more preregistrations accepted.

Evolving Ideas of Life, Professor Llyd Ewan Wells. Wednesday, March 26, 2008, beginning at 6:30 PM. 7 Wednesdays. Independence Branch of the Free Library, 18 S. 7th Street (7th and Market Streets). Using an interdisciplinary approach that includes science, history, and literature, this course will explore various ways that we have imagined life. No preregistration required.

Invasive Plants in the Philadelphia Area, Professor Alfred E. Schuyler. Monday, March 31, 2008, beginning at 6:30 PM.  6 Mondays, 1 Saturday. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 100 N. 20th Street (20th and Arch Streets). This course will discuss how invasives differ from non-invasives, negative impacts of invasives from the 18th century to the present day, some notorious invasives and their habitats, and management strategies for reducing or eliminating the negative impacts of invasives.  Preregistration required.  Class is now full.  No more preregistrations accepted.

To order a copy of the catalog and a full description of courses, please email info@wagnerfreeinstitute.org or call 215-763-6529, ext. 21.