Inquiries Into Bipedalism from Coursera

This course will help you learn that the shapes of bones reflect adaptations and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in. Understanding this relationship is critical for reconstructing the activities of animals in the past. In this course, you will participate in two such activities. You will examine the femurs from a number of different species. You will also explore how footprint data is used to estimate the height of a species. You will participate in a dig at the Koobi Fora fossil site in Kenya. Furthermore, you will explore what a phylogenetic tree is and how they help in discovering the relative relatedness of a group of species. Virtually you will visit the Hall of Human Origins at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. This course will also help you understand the world of fossils. How fossils are formed, how paleontologists find fossils, how they are examined to find information will also be discussed here.

Every module of this course has been created with the intention of a “hands-on” learner experience, where you can play around with and learn from 3D renditions of different human and animal fossils. You will explore fossil sites as well.

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Syllabus

Module 1: Inquiry Activities

This module provides an introduction to the human skeleton and explores the scientific usage of footprint data. It also takes you to some fossil sites. You also learn about the phylogenetic tree activity based on anatomy and genetics.

Module 2: Visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

This module explores the history of human evolution as seen in the "Hall of Human Origins" in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Module 3: Science in Action

This module provides an understanding of how and what we learn from fossils. You will also explore the history of human origin in South Africa.

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Helps learners reconstruct animal behavior based on the shape of their bones, which is a valuable skill in paleontology and archaeology

Provides a well-rounded grounding in paleontology, covering topics like fossil formation, fossil excavation, and the analysis of fossils

Led by Jeremy DeSilva, who has a wealth of experience in the field of paleontology

Offers hands-on learning experiences through 3D renditions of fossils and virtual field trips, which can make the material more engaging and accessible

Provides opportunities to explore real-world fossil sites, such as the Koobi Fora fossil site in Kenya, offering a unique blend of theoretical and practical learning

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 Inquiries Into Bipedalism with these activities:

Compile Course Materials

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Organize notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams for easier review.

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Gather materials
Create a system
Review materials regularly

Review Skeletal Adaptations

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Review the ways in which the shapes of bones can offer clues about the behaviors that animals participate in.

Browse courses on Animal Behavior

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Read the module
Examine the diagrams
Summarize the key points

Study Group

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Form a study group to discuss the course material and collaborate on assignments.

Browse courses on Paleontology

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Find group members
Set regular meeting times
Prepare for meetings

Three other activities

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Visit the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History

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Visit the Hall of Human Origins to explore the history of human evolution.

Browse courses on Human Evolution

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Plan the trip
Explore the exhibits
Attend a lecture

Explore the Koobi Fora Fossil Site

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Explore the Koobi Fora fossil site located in Kenya for a virtual dig.

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Visit the website
Take a virtual tour
Read the information about the site

Create a Phylogenetic Tree

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Create a phylogenetic tree based on the anatomy and genetics of different species.

Browse courses on Phylogenetic Trees

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Gather data
Construct the tree
Analyze the results

Career center

Learners who complete Inquiries Into Bipedalism will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Paleontologist

Paleontologists study the history of life on Earth by examining fossils. This course provides an introduction to the world of fossils, including how they are formed, how paleontologists find them, and how they are examined to find information. This knowledge would be invaluable to a Paleontologist, as it would help them to better understand the fossils they are studying and to make more accurate interpretations of their findings. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Paleontologists, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of extinct animals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Paleontologist

Forensic Anthropologist

Forensic Anthropologists use their knowledge of human anatomy and archaeology to investigate crimes and identify human remains. This course would be helpful for Forensic Anthropologists, as it would provide them with a foundation in human osteology and the analysis of human footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Forensic Anthropologists, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of victims and suspects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Anthropologist

Physical Anthropologist

Physical Anthropologists study the evolution and variation of the human species. This course would be helpful for Physical Anthropologists, as it would provide them with a foundation in human osteology and the analysis of human footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Physical Anthropologists, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of extinct and extant human populations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physical Anthropologist

Archaeologist

Archaeologists study the human past through the excavation and analysis of material remains. This course would be helpful for Archaeologists, as it would provide them with a foundation in the analysis of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Archaeologists, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of past human populations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archaeologist

Science Teacher

Science Teachers teach science to students at all levels. This course would be helpful for Science Teachers, as it would provide them with a foundation in the study of human evolution and the analysis of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Science Teachers, as it would allow them to better explain these concepts to their students.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators are responsible for the care and preservation of museum collections. This course would be helpful for Museum Curators, as it would provide them with a foundation in the care and handling of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Museum Curators, as it would allow them to better understand the significance of the specimens in their care.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study the human species and its cultures. This course would be helpful for Anthropologists, as it would provide them with a foundation in the study of human evolution and the analysis of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Anthropologists, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of past and present human populations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Anthropologist

Forensic Scientist

Forensic Scientists use science to investigate crimes. This course would be helpful for Forensic Scientists, as it would provide them with a foundation in the analysis of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Forensic Scientists, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of victims and suspects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Scientist

Biologist

Biologists study living organisms. This course would be helpful for Biologists, as it would provide them with a foundation in the study of human evolution and the analysis of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Biologists, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of animals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biologist

Zoologist

Zoologists study animals. This course would be helpful for Zoologists, as it would provide them with a foundation in the study of human evolution and the analysis of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Zoologists, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of animals.

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Geologist

Geologists study the Earth and its history. This course would be helpful for Geologists, as it would provide them with a foundation in the study of human evolution and the analysis of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Geologists, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of past and present animals.

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Historian

Historians study the past. This course would be helpful for Historians, as it would provide them with a foundation in the study of human evolution and the analysis of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Historians, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of past human populations.

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Lawyer

Lawyers represent clients in legal matters. This course would be helpful for Lawyers, as it would provide them with a foundation in the analysis of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Lawyers, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of their clients and witnesses.

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Doctor

Doctors provide medical care to patients. This course would be helpful for Doctors, as it would provide them with a foundation in the study of human evolution and the analysis of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Doctors, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of their patients.

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Engineer

Engineers design and build structures and machines. This course would be helpful for Engineers, as it would provide them with a foundation in the study of human evolution and the analysis of human bones and footprints. Additionally, the course's focus on the relationship between the shapes of bones and the behaviors that animals frequently participate in would be helpful for Engineers, as it would allow them to better understand the behavior of humans and animals.

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Inquiries Into Bipedalism

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