This course provides an overview to the distribution of plants and animals across the surface of the Earth in both a spatial and temporal context. Patterns of species distribution and biodiversity will be examined, as well as the important processes that produce the patterns, at many different scales. Abiotic (e.g. climate, topography, soil), biotic (e.g. competition, dispersal) and historical (plate tectonics, evolution, climate change) factors which are the controlling mechanisms that shape these patterns will be discussed. Upon completion of this course, students should have a much greater appreciation and understanding of the plant and animal life that surrounds them.