Circadian clocks: how rhythms structure life from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Introduction to 'chronobiology'. What sorts of rhythms are observed in nature? Most of the lecture will be spent on describing daily or circadian rhythms in organisms from bacteria to man.

WEEK 2

Circadian rhythms synchronise to the 24-hour environment. Organisms use specialised photoreceptors to do this and they display characteristic properties in this process. We experience this active synchronisation process for example when we suffer from jet lag!

WEEK 3

We will discuss the elaborate molecular mechanisms that allow circadian clocks to produce their daily rhythms and to synchronise them to its environment. We will compare these mechanisms in a wide range of organisms.

WEEK 4

Circadian clocks serve to orchestrate physiology and metabolism in a coordinated way over the course of the day. Therefore, practically all processes in an organism are regulated outputs of the clock. We'll discuss examples of these processes and ideas about how this circadian regulation works.

WEEK 5

With the appreciation of the clock’s global control, we proceed to discussing how much this temporal programme controls our lives from birth to death and how much we mistreat the circadian clock in modern life.

WEEK 6

Finally, we will look at the clock’s relationship to pathology. What are the consequences of living against the clock, what happens if the clock ‘breaks’, and how can we use our knowledge about the circadian system in medical diagnosis and therapy.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a good foundation for students working towards a degree or career in a life sciences field

Builds a baseline understanding of circadian rhythms and their impact on living organisms

Examines the relationship between sleep and the circadian clock

Covers the latest scientific research on circadian rhythms

Taught by experienced instructors with extensive knowledge of chronobiology

Requires a solid science background, with biology preferred

Reviews summary

Circadian clocks: exploring a symphony of rhythms

Learners say this course provides a largely positive overview of circadian clocks, helping them grasp the intricacies of how rhythms shape life. The course covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to cutting-edge research, making it suitable for diverse audiences. Students appreciate the engaging assignments and the expertise of the instructors, Professors Till Roenneberg and Martha Merrow. Overall, learners highlight the well-presented material and informative lectures as key strengths of the course.

Course is well-organized and easy to follow.

"Very well structured course, lots of research material, I highly recommend it."

"From the very basics to the latest research results on circadian rhythms, this course has been interesting and relevant to my formation as a PhD student in this field."

Course is relevant to various fields.

"This excellent course is for anyone interested in learning more about circadian clocks and how they affect humans."

"Chronobiology is a phenomenon that is interwined in many disciplines like biology, medicine and pshychology."

Instructors are knowledgeable and engaging.

"Very interesting and provocative course about circadian rhythms."

"The course gave an overview of the circadian clock from a systemic to a molecular level. Both the professors and the discussion forums are very interesting and interactive."

"Prof. Ronenberg and Prof Martha were wonderful guides across this fascinating journey to understand how time was incorporated in the biology of all living beings."

Course includes some advanced mathematics.

"sorry to tell that i feel there is too much mathematics information in the course"

Some sections may be challenging for beginners.

"This class is very technical in parts, and could be more engaging."

"Course is helpful only if you have prior knowledge of this topic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Circadian clocks: how rhythms structure life with these activities:

Organize your course materials

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Gather your course materials
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Study "The Clocks That Make Us"

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This book will provide you with a comprehensive and accessible review of the science of chronobiology and the impact of circadian rhythms on our lives.

View Rhythms of Life: The Biological Clocks that... on Amazon

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Read the first chapter
Take notes on the key concepts
Complete the practice questions at the end of the chapter

Watch videos on circadian rhythms

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Watching videos on circadian rhythms will help you to visualize the concepts and principles discussed in the course.

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Search for videos on circadian rhythms
Watch the videos and take notes
Summarize the key points of the videos

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Solve circadian rhythm problems

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Solving problems related to circadian rhythms will help you to understand the concepts and principles discussed in the course.

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Identify the key variables and concepts in the problem
Develop a strategy for solving the problem
Execute your strategy and solve the problem
Check your answer

Discuss circadian rhythms with classmates

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Discussing circadian rhythms with classmates will help you to learn from others and to clarify your understanding of the course material.

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Find a study partner or group
Schedule a time to meet
Discuss the course material
Share your insights and perspectives

Create a collection of resources on circadian rhythms

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Creating a collection of resources on circadian rhythms will help you to organize your learning and to find the information you need quickly and easily.

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Gather resources on circadian rhythms
Organize your resources into a collection
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Write a blog post on circadian rhythms

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Writing a blog post on circadian rhythms will help you to synthesize your understanding of the course material and communicate it to others.

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Choose a topic for your blog post
Research your topic
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Edit and revise your blog post
Publish your blog post

Career center

Learners who complete Circadian clocks: how rhythms structure life will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chronobiologist

Chronobiologists research the causes and effects of biological rhythms to understand the functioning of living organisms and develop treatments for sleep disorders and other conditions caused by desynchronized body rhythms. As a new Chronobiologist, understanding the information taught in this course will be essential for your work. You will learn fundamentals of chronobiology like the biological clock, rhythm synchronization, and the global control of physiological and metabolic processes by the clock, all of which are critical for your research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chronobiologist

Physiologist

Physiologists study the function of living organisms. Circadian rhythms affect many physiological processes, so Physiologists need to have a strong understanding of circadian rhythms. One who wishes to enter this career field should take this course in particular because it will provide you with a strong foundation in the physiological basis of circadian rhythms.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physiologist

Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to advance scientific knowledge. Circadian rhythms are a major area of research, so Research Scientists who work in this field need to have a strong understanding of circadian rhythms. This course will provide you with a foundation in the science of circadian rhythms and you will learn how to conduct research in this field.

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Neuroscientist

Neuroscientists study the structure and function of the nervous system. Circadian rhythms are controlled by the brain, so Neuroscientists need to have a strong understanding of circadian rhythms. One who wishes to enter this career field should take this course in particular because it will provide you with a strong foundation in the neurobiological basis of circadian rhythms.

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Sleep Medicine Physician

Sleep Medicine Physicians work with patients to diagnose and treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy, insomnia, and sleep apnea. As a Sleep Medicine Physician, you will need to be well-versed in the science of circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms heavily influence sleep patterns, and medications used to treat sleep disorders often target circadian rhythms. Thus, taking this course may be useful as it will provide you with a solid foundation in circadian rhythms, allowing you to stay up-to-date on the latest advancements and apply them in your practice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sleep Medicine Physician

Forensic Scientist

Forensic Scientists analyze evidence to aid criminal investigations. This includes determining the time of death of a victim. Circadian rhythms can be used to estimate the time of death. This course will provide you with a foundation in the science of circadian rhythms and you will learn how it can be used to solve crimes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Scientist

Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife Biologists study the biology and behavior of wildlife. Circadian rhythms affect many aspects of wildlife behavior, so Wildlife Biologists need to have a basic understanding of circadian rhythms. This course will provide you with a foundation in the science of circadian rhythms and how they affect wildlife behavior.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wildlife Biologist

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study the causes and distribution of diseases in populations. Circadian rhythms can affect the incidence and prevalence of diseases, so Epidemiologists need to have a basic understanding of circadian rhythms. This course will provide you with a foundation in the science of circadian rhythms and how they affect disease.

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Pharmaceutical Scientist

Pharmaceutical Scientists work to develop new drugs and therapies. Circadian rhythms affect the efficacy of drugs, so Pharmaceutical Scientists need to have a basic understanding of circadian rhythms. This course will provide you with a foundation in the science of circadian rhythms and how they affect drug efficacy.

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Zoologist

Zoologists study the biology and behavior of animals. Circadian rhythms affect many aspects of animal behavior, so Zoologists need to have a basic understanding of circadian rhythms. This course will provide you with a foundation in the science of circadian rhythms and how they affect animal behavior.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers work to design and implement systems to improve a patient’s quality of life. Many of these systems are designed to work with the patient’s circadian rhythms, such as implantable drug delivery devices, automated light therapy devices, and automated sleep-wake cycle regulators. To get involved in this field, taking this course may be useful as it offers a strong basis in the scientific and technological advances surrounding circadian clocks. It will also provide you with the skills to evaluate and communicate the performance of medical technologies.

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Dietitian

Dietitians work with patients to develop and implement healthy eating plans. Circadian rhythms affect many aspects of metabolism, so Dietitians need to have a basic understanding of circadian rhythms. This course will provide you with a foundation in the science of circadian rhythms and how they affect metabolism.

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Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the effects of toxic substances on living organisms. Circadian rhythms can affect the toxicity of substances, so Toxicologists need to have a basic understanding of circadian rhythms. This course will provide you with a foundation in the science of circadian rhythms and how they affect toxicity.

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Veterinarian

Veterinarians work to diagnose and treat diseases in animals. Circadian rhythms affect many aspects of animal health, so Veterinarians need to have a basic understanding of circadian rhythms. This course will provide you with a solid foundation in the science of circadian rhythms and how they affect animal health.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants work with physicians to provide medical care to patients. Circadian rhythms affect many aspects of health, so Physician Assistants need to have a basic understanding of circadian rhythms. This course will provide you with a solid foundation in the science of circadian rhythms and how they affect health. It will also provide you with the skills to evaluate and communicate the performance of medical technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician Assistant