History of major established model organisms (E. coli, yeast, fruit flies, mice, etc) and their wide contributions to our current knowledge and methods in biology. Also, how and why newly emerging model organisms are being developed in many areas of biology. Explores primary literature from across the Tree of Life, in the context of model organisms and the opportunities, challenges, and limitations of each model. Develops skills in selecting the right model organisms for a wide range of research in the biological sciences.