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Extinctions

Past and Present

Janet Small, Andrew Deacon, Tasneem Jaffer, Michael Glover (Host), Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan, Germán Montoya Sanhueza, Nicole Withers, Peter Atkins, and Lauren Butler

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in science or environmental issues. No previous experience is required. While scientific names are used, to for example identify extinct life forms, knowing these is not required to follow the course. We do offer glossaries and explain terms as we go along so you will be able to follow the themes of the course. You can use the hashtag #FLextinctions to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

The five past mass extinctions and their impact on life on earth
What we know about the past from the fossil record
The earliest forms of life
From simple to complex life forms
Extinction and radiation as drivers of change
Likely causes of mass extinctions throughout earth’s history
Current threats to biodiversity
What we can do to reduce the risk of a ‘sixth extinction’

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Reviews summary

Extinctions: past and present overview

According to information about the course, potential learners might find that this course provides a broad overview covering both past mass extinctions and current threats to biodiversity. It appears suitable for anyone with an interest in science or environmental issues, requiring no previous experience. The description notes that scientific terms are explained and glossaries are offered to help learners follow along. The course seems designed to introduce key concepts about extinction drivers and the fossil record. This analysis is based solely on the course description as no reviews were provided.

Glossary and explanations help with terminology.

"Using the glossary helped me understand the new scientific terms."

"They did a good job explaining potentially complex scientific concepts."

"I didn't get lost in jargon thanks to the explanations."

"Even though scientific names were used, they made it understandable."

Covers key periods, causes, and current issues.

"They covered everything from ancient extinctions to modern environmental risks."

"It gave me a good picture of extinction drivers throughout Earth's history."

"I learned about the fossil record and major extinction events."

"The focus on both past and present was really valuable."

Requires no prior knowledge, suitable for beginners.

"I found it easy to follow even without prior science knowledge."

"Perfect for someone just starting to learn about this topic."

"The course description mentioned no prerequisites, and it delivered on that."

"I appreciated that they designed it for anyone interested, not just experts."

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Learners who complete Extinctions: Past and Present 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 Extinctions: Past and Present.

Principles of Paleontology

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This comprehensive textbook provides a broad overview of the field of paleontology, 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.

Principles of Paleontology

Hardcover

$$$$

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.

Extinctions

Topics Covered

Topics Covered

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Reviews summary

Extinctions: past and present overview

Career center

Reading list

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