Emergence of Life from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Orientation

In this module, you will become familiar with the course, your instructor, your classmates, and our learning environment.

Week 1 - Geological Time and the Nature of Science

The week begins with a discussion of the historical and philosophical approaches that have been developed for the completion of scientific research, with the work of Professor Carl Woese evaluated as an example. The basic tools required for this type of scientific reasoning and the ability to overcome the challenging concepts of scale and complexity are then presented. Finally, we'll explore the dynamic formation of the Earth itself with respect to the environmental conditions present on the earliest and most ancient version of planet Earth.

Week 2 - The Tree of Life and Early Earth Environments

The advent of life on Earth came about as a result of a remarkable confluence of physical, chemical, and biological processes, all of which were intrinsically linked to rapidly changing early Earth environments. Within this context, cutting-edge approaches in molecular phylogeny by Professor Carl Woese revealed new understandings of the emergence of life and the possible distribution of life within the cosmos. All this and more will be explored in this week's lessons!

Week 3 - Fossilization and Precambrian Life-Earth Interaction

This week, you'll explore how scientists interpret ancient fossilized life, which yields remarkably detailed and complete reconstructions of the lifestyles of ancient organisms that have been deceased for hundreds, thousands, millions, and even billions of years. These reconstructions provide valuable information regarding the evolutionary success of organism morphology and lifestyle.

Week 4 - Paleozoic Life After the Advent of Skeletons

This week, you'll learn more about the Cambrian Explosion, which led to the development of external hard skeleton components at 542 million years before present. The initial successes of the invertebrates were shortly followed by the appearance of vertebrates with internal skeletons. Life then utilized these newfound evolutionary capabilities, beginning distinct cycles of radiation, diversification, and extinction, which define the three great Eukarya faunas of the Phanerozoic.

Week 5 - Paleozoic Plants, Reptiles, and the Transition to Land

In the early Paleozoic, plants evolved to leave the water and invade the terrestrial landscape. Following this transition, vertebrates emerged into land-based ecosystems, and Carbon Dioxide concentrations increased in the atmosphere. The greenhouse warming of the Earth propelled the success of both prevascular and vascular plants, as well as the related terrestrial radiation of the three lineages of the reptiles. This week, you'll also learn about the Permian-Triassic mass extinction and later environmental changes that opened the door to the rise of the diapsids.

Week 6 - Mesozoic Reign of the Dinosaurs and the Development of Flight

This week, you'll learn more about the Permian-Triassic extinction event, which caused more than 80% of life to go extinct. This opened vast swaths of ecological opportunity for radiation and diversification of life during the Mesozoic. You'll learn about symbiosis, which was widely utilized during this period, as well as the fascinating lineage of diapsid reptiles that rose to replace the synapsid predators of the late Paleozoic. We'll also discuss the rise of the dinosaurs, as well as the catastrophic meteor impact that drove the dinosaurs to extinction.

Week 7 - Cenozoic Mammals and Global Environmental Change

With the demise of the dinosaurs, mammals rapidly radiated and diversified during the Cenozoic. The combination of abundant food sources and significant fluctuations in global climate fostered extreme variations in morphology, body size, and interaction with the environment. You'll learn why mammals had a distinct advantage over previous groups, and you'll also have the opportunity to explore multiple theories on primate and hominoid evolution in the context of global conditions during this period.

Week 8 - Astrobiology and the Search for Life in the Cosmos

No matter where you are or what you believe, sometime in your life you will look up into the sky and ask: What is out there? Where are we going? Is there life elsewhere in the universe? This course is dedicated to searching for answers to these questions. The fundamental concepts of life and habitable environments, established upon the modern synthesis of the Tree of Life, will direct us in recognizing biospheres that might be quite different from our own. In the last week of this course, we will look in detail at what the future has in store for space exploration and the search for life in the cosmos.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the possibility of life beyond Earth, which is a crucial question in astrobiology

Taught by Bruce W. Fouke, a recognized expert in the field of astrobiology

Examines life through the lens of the Tree of Life, providing a comprehensive understanding of life's evolution

Surveys the history of life from the emergence of single-celled organisms to the diversity of life today

May require some background knowledge in biology and earth sciences

Covers a vast topic in a limited timeframe, so some concepts may be presented at a surface level

Reviews summary

Informative emergence of life

Learners say this course covers a wide range of topics in biology, from the origins of life to astrobiology, in a way that is both engaging and informative. While this course is intended to be a journey through this subject matter, some learners note that it does not go into much detail outside taxonomy. The instructors are described as great, but one learner mentions that the course can be tiring due to assignments that can sometimes go beyond lecture material. Overall, students who took the course found it to be enjoyable and a good use of their time.

Great instructors

Informative and engaging course content

Tiring workload

"That is really difficult sometimes, and they should reorganize the course to fit the new platform better, hence 4 stars."

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 Emergence of Life with these activities:

Review basic biology concepts

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Strengthen your understanding of fundamental biological principles.

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Review your notes or textbooks from previous biology courses.
Take practice quizzes or mock exams.
Attend a refresher workshop or online course.

Review 'The Vital Question'

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Introduce foundational ideas that will be elaborated on throughout the course.

View Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the... on Amazon

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Read the first three chapters.
Summarize the main arguments of each chapter.
Identify the key terms and concepts introduced in the book.

Participate in online discussion forums

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Engage with classmates, share perspectives, and gain insights from diverse viewpoints.

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Join the course discussion forums.
Read and respond to posts regularly.
Ask questions, share ideas, and contribute to discussions.

Five other activities

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Practice tree-thinking exercises.

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Improve your ability to interpret and construct phylogenetic trees.

Browse courses on Tree of Life

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Use an online tree-thinking tool.
Practice building trees from given data.
Test your skills with interactive tree-thinking exercises.

Explore interactive simulations of geological processes and ecosystems

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Visualize and understand complex Earth processes and ecological interactions.

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Find reputable websites or platforms offering interactive simulations.
Select simulations relevant to the course topics.
Follow the instructions and explore the simulations.

Volunteer at a local science museum or nature center

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Get hands-on experience, engage with the public, and deepen your understanding of scientific concepts.

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Contact local science museums or nature centers to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Match your skills and interests to available volunteer roles.
Attend training and orientation sessions provided by the organization.

Create a timeline of major events in the history of life on Earth

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of the temporal relationships between key events in the evolution of life.

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Research major events in the history of life on Earth.
Create a visual representation of the timeline, such as a chart or infographic.
Include key details for each event, such as the approximate date, location, and significance.

Participate in a science Olympiad or competition related to biology or earth science

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Challenge your knowledge, apply your skills, and gain recognition for your abilities.

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Research upcoming science Olympiads or competitions.
Identify competitions that align with your interests and skills.
Form a team or work independently to prepare and participate.

Career center

Learners who complete Emergence of Life will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Paleontologist

A Paleontologist studies the history of life on Earth, using fossils and other geological evidence. This course, Emergence of Life, may be useful for building a foundation in paleontology, particularly in understanding the early history and evolution of life on Earth. The course's emphasis on the Tree of Life can also provide insights into the relationships between different organisms throughout geological time.

See salaries and explore the career path for Paleontologist

Evolutionary Biologist

An Evolutionary Biologist studies the process of evolution, including the origin, diversity, and adaptation of species. This course, Emergence of Life, may be useful for building a foundation in evolutionary biology, particularly in understanding the early evolution of life on Earth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Evolutionary Biologist

Paleobiologist

A Paleobiologist studies the history of life on Earth, using fossils and other geological evidence. This course, Emergence of Life, may be useful for building a foundation in paleobiology, particularly in understanding the early history and evolution of life on Earth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Paleobiologist

Biologist

A Biologist studies the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living organisms. This course, Emergence of Life, may be useful for building a foundation in biology, particularly in understanding the history and diversity of life on Earth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biologist

Botanist

A Botanist studies plants, including their structure, growth, reproduction, and classification. This course, Emergence of Life, may be useful for building a foundation in botany, particularly in understanding the history and diversity of plants on Earth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Botanist

Molecular Biologist

A Molecular Biologist studies the structure, function, and evolution of biological molecules, such as DNA and RNA. As this course, Emergence of Life, examines the molecular basis of life, it may be useful for building a foundation in molecular biology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Molecular Biologist

Zoologist

A Zoologist studies the animal kingdom, including the behavior, physiology, anatomy, and classification of animals. This course, Emergence of Life, may be useful for building a foundation in zoology, particularly in understanding the history and diversity of animals on Earth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Zoologist

Ecologist

An Ecologist investigates the interactions between organisms and their environment. As this course, Emergence of Life, examines the co-evolution of life and Earth, it may be useful for understanding the ecological principles that shape the distribution and abundance of organisms.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ecologist

Science Writer

A Science Writer communicates complex scientific information to the public. This course, Emergence of Life, may be useful for building a foundation in science writing, particularly in understanding the history and diversity of life on Earth. The course's emphasis on the Tree of Life can also provide valuable insights for writing about the relationships between different organisms.

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Science Teacher

A Science Teacher educates students in various scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, and physics. This course, Emergence of Life, may be useful for building a foundation in biology, particularly in understanding the history and diversity of life on Earth. The course's focus on the Tree of Life can also provide valuable insights for teaching about the relationships between different organisms.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Teacher

Geobiologist

A Geobiologist studies the interactions between Earth's geological and biological systems. As this course, Emergence of Life, examines the co-evolution of life and Earth, it may be useful for understanding the geological processes that shaped the emergence and evolution of life.

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Microbiologist

A Microbiologist studies microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. As this course, Emergence of Life, explores the origins and evolution of life on Earth, it may be useful for understanding the role of microorganisms in these processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microbiologist

Biochemist

A Biochemist investigates the chemical processes that occur within living organisms. As this course, Emergence of Life, delves into the chemical and biological processes involved in the emergence of life on Earth, it may be useful for understanding the fundamental principles of biochemistry.

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Environmental Scientist

An Environmental Scientist studies the environment and its components, including the interactions between humans and the environment. This course, Emergence of Life, may be useful for understanding the history and impact of life on Earth's environment.

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Astrobiologist

An Astrobiologist researches the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. This course, Emergence of Life, may be useful in providing foundational knowledge in astrobiology, particularly in understanding the emergence and evolution of life on Earth, as well as the search for life beyond our planet.

See salaries and explore the career path for Astrobiologist