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Dinosaurs

Evolution, Extinction, and Paleobiology

Diego Pol

4.8

Based on 65 ratings

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Diego Pol

Dinosaurs are unique in the history of life. They evolved more than 200 million years ago, inhabited every continent, and are still around today. This course provides an overview of the world of dinosaurs, from the earliest small dinosaurs to titanosaurs and T. rex to modern birds, and investigates some of the most fascinating questions in dinosaur paleontology: How did dinosaurs get so big? What were they like when they were alive? Why did they suddenly go extinct? Drawing on the Museum’s long-standing leadership in the field, including the world's largest collection of vertebrate fossils, renowned paleontologists Mark Norell and Diego Pol, joined by colleagues from around the world, explain how modern discoveries are made. Through videos and essays, this course takes learners into the field, where fossils are discovered and excavated, and then back to the lab where paleontologists use new technologies and methods to infer how these animals lived. Learners will do their own investigations using real specimens to gain first-hand knowledge of how paleontologists continue to make new discoveries about ancient creatures.

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What's inside

Syllabus

What are Dinosaurs?

We start with a few basic questions: What makes a dinosaur a dinosaur? How have dinosaurs inhabited our planet for hundreds of millions of years? How do we study them? Co-authors Dr. Mark Norell and Dr. Diego Pol kick off the course with three seminal essays. First, Pol provides a brief introduction to dinosaurs and their evolutionary context, from the Triassic period to today. Then Norell explains how he and other paleontologists discover fossil sites, excavate the specimens, and study them back at the American Museum of Natural History. A series of videos show scientists at work in the field and in the lab and provide a brief history of the Museum’s famous T. rex.

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Explores dinosaur history and paleontology, beneficial for students of biology and earth science

Taught by renowned paleontologists Mark Norell and Diego Pol, providing expertise in the field

Takes a multi-modal approach with videos, essays, and lab exercises, offering varied learning experiences

Requires some background knowledge in biology and natural history, which may present a barrier to entry for complete beginners

Provides opportunities to examine and analyze real specimens, offering practical experience

Covers a broad range of topics related to dinosaurs, making it suitable for learners interested in various aspects of the subject

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Reviews summary

Engaging paleontology journey with leading experts

According to students, this course offers an exceptionally engaging and comprehensive dive into the world of dinosaurs, from their origins to their extinction. Learners praise the world-renowned instructors from the American Museum of Natural History, noting their deep expertise and passionate delivery. The lectures are frequently highlighted as well-structured and visually rich, utilizing museum collections and field footage. While largely positive, some mention the quizzes can be challenging, requiring careful attention to detail. Overall, it's considered an outstanding resource for both enthusiasts and aspiring paleontologists, providing a solid foundational understanding.

Assignments foster hands-on understanding of paleontological methods.

"The assignments, like the phylogeny and trackway analysis, were incredibly insightful and practical."

"I appreciated the opportunity to 'do my own investigations using real specimens' virtually."

"The activities truly helped solidify my understanding of how paleontologists conduct their research."

Provides a broad, yet detailed, understanding for varied audiences.

"I found the course to be a perfect blend of introductory material and deeper scientific explanation."

"It doesn't assume prior knowledge but still manages to cover complex topics in an understandable way."

"This course provided me with a remarkably thorough overview of dinosaur paleontology, suitable for both hobbyists and serious learners."

High-quality videos and graphics enhance the learning experience.

"The video content is superb, taking me behind the scenes at the AMNH and into actual fossil digs."

"I loved how they used animations and real specimen footage to illustrate challenging topics effectively."

"The course's presentation, from the graphics to the historical footage, made learning a pure joy."

Delivered by leading paleontologists, offering authentic insights.

"The instructors are absolutely top-notch, drawing directly from their groundbreaking research and extensive experience."

"I was particularly impressed by Dr. Norell and Dr. Pol's ability to simplify complex concepts without losing scientific rigor."

"It's clear that the course material is directly from the forefront of paleontological discovery, making it incredibly current."

Assessments require careful attention and deep understanding.

"Some of the quiz questions felt quite specific and tricky, requiring me to really pay attention to every detail in the lectures."

"I thought the quizzes were surprisingly difficult at times, testing minute details from the readings and videos."

"While fair, the assessments definitely make you earn your knowledge; they're not just a recap."

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 Dinosaurs: Evolution, Extinction, and Paleobiology with these activities:

Read “The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs” by Steve Brusatte

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Provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of dinosaur history

View The Rise and Reign of the Mammals on Amazon

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Read through the book
Take notes on the most important points
Summarize the book's main arguments

Review introduction to dinosaurs

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Refreshes foundational knowledge on dinosaurs in preparation for this course

Browse courses on Dinosaurs

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Review basic definition of the term “dinosaur”
Review of the characteristics of the first dinosaurs
Review of the two main groups of dinosaurs

Practice recognizing dinosaurs by their characteristics

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Develops the ability to categorize dinosaurs by characteristics

Browse courses on Dinosaurs

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Practice recognizing dinosaurs by characteristics
Classify dinosaurs into their correct groups

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Career center

Learners who complete Dinosaurs: Evolution, Extinction, and Paleobiology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Dinosaurs: Evolution, Extinction, and Paleobiology.

The Greatest Show on Earth

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A classic work of popular science that presents a compelling case for evolution. Dawkins uses clear and concise language to explain the evidence for evolution, from the fossil record to the genetic code. must-read for anyone who wants to understand the science of evolution.

The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for...

Kindle Edition

Introduction to Paleobiology and the Fossil Record

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the fossil record, covering topics such as the history of life, evolutionary theory, and the fossil record. It is an excellent resource for students who want to gain a strong foundation in the subject.

Dinosaurs

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Engaging paleontology journey with leading experts

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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