Are you ready to take an incredible journey around Planet Earth and beyond? In this course, you will delve into a world of innovative science and learn from a team of Biosphere 2 and University of Arizona researchers. From plants and soils, to oceans and rainforests, the Moon, Mars, and more, this course is an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in science and Earth stewardship.
Biosphere 2 Science for the Future of Our Planet
University of ArizonaAbout this Course
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Beginner Level
Approx. 17 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 17 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is the state’s land-grant university and a member of the Association of American Universities—made up of just 62 universities in the country. As one of the world’s premier public research universities, the university conducts more than $625 million of research annually. Home to two allopathic medical schools in Tucson and Phoenix, the UA Tech Park, and a member of the Arizona Space Grant Consortium, the university creates an $8.3 billion economic impact for Arizona. U.S. News and World Report placed 14 University of Arizona graduate programs among the top 20 in the nation and it is one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars. With its strategic academic and business plan, “Never Settle,” as its guide, the university is producing graduates who are global citizens, engaged leaders, and fulfilled individuals.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
2 hours to complete
Biosphere 2, an Icon of Possibilities
Why would anyone build an enormous glass structure in the Arizona desert? In Module 1, you will get a virtual introduction to the engineering marvel that is Biosphere 2. Learn about the fascinating history of Biosphere 2 and how it is currently used as the world’s best research instrument for earth systems science. Discover how the ocean, rainforest, and desert can be studied in one enclosed, three-acre structure in the Arizona desert. With Dr. Joaquin Ruiz, University of Arizona (UA) Vice President for Innovation, Director of Biosphere 2, Dean of UA Science, Geoscientist, and John Adams, Deputy Director, UA Biosphere 2.
2 hours to complete
9 videos (Total 50 min)
9 videos
Meet Joaquin Ruiz, Director of Biosphere 21m
Module 1 Intro2m
Meet John Adams2m
Lecture 1a – Introducing Biosphere 25m
Lecture 1b - The Story of Biosphere 29m
Lecture 1c - Biosphere 2 Research13m
Lecture 1d - Biosphere 2 and the Water Cycle10m
Module 1 Wrap Up1m
4 practice exercises
Lecture 1a10m
Lecture 1b10m
Lecture 1c10m
Lecture 1d10m
2 hours to complete
Climate Disruption
How do we know that human activity is changing the climate? In Module 2, you will hear from scientists who reconstruct past climates by unlocking information held in ancient trees. Discover how tree rings help us understand drought and wildfire patterns across time and space. Learn what global warming is, exactly, and how it is accelerated by carbon emissions. With Dr. Kevin Anchukaitis, Geography and UA Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, and Dr. David Frank, UA Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research.
2 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 62 min), 1 reading, 3 quizzes
7 videos
Meet Kevin Anchukaitis1m
Lecture 2a - Global Warming and Carbon Dioxide17m
Lecture 2b - Rain, Snow, & Climate Change19m
Meet David Frank1m
Lecture 2c - Fires & Climate Disruption17m
Module 2 Wrap Up1m
1 reading
Module 2 Supplemental Content10m
3 practice exercises
Lecture 2a10m
Lecture 2b10m
Lecture 2c10m
1 hour to complete
The Science of Water Availability
Where is Earth’s water? In Module 3, you will learn about the global water cycle and discover how much water exists, where it exists, and how it moves around the environment. Learn how Biosphere 2 and Critical Zone research are used to study the water cycle. With Dr. Peter Troch, Director of Science at Biosphere 2, UA Hydrology.
1 hour to complete
7 videos (Total 42 min)
7 videos
Meet Peter Troch1m
Lecture 3a - Water on Earth11m
Lecture 3b - How much water do we use?5m
Lecture 3c - How will climate change affect water availability?9m
Lecture 3d - Water cycle research10m
Module 3 Wrap Up1m
4 practice exercises
Lecture 3a10m
Lecture 3b10m
Lecture 3c10m
Lecture 3d10m
2 hours to complete
Desert Plants, Climate, and Changing Landscapes
How can many different species coexist in once place? In Module 4, go beyond Biosphere 2 to UA Tumamoc Hill—the world’s oldest long-term desert ecology research site near the University of Arizona. Learn how living and nonliving components of the environment are related, how different species coexist, and how climate variation affects Sonoran Desert plants. With Dr. Larry Venable, UA Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.
2 hours to complete
7 videos (Total 64 min), 1 reading, 4 quizzes
7 videos
Meet Larry Venable2m
Lecture 4a - Biodiversity and its maintenance13m
Lecture 4b - Functional traits and diversity12m
Lecture 4c - Vegetation response to climate change17m
Lecture 4d - Biological bet hedging14m
Module 4 Wrap Up1m
1 reading
Module 4 Supplemental Content10m
4 practice exercises
Lecture 4a10m
Lecture 4b10m
Lecture 4c8m
Lecture 4d10m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM BIOSPHERE 2 SCIENCE FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET
by BCJun 14, 2020
Great course! Easy to follow with great teachers from multiple subjects. The course is very informative and encourages you to research environmental information about the area you live in.
by WKMay 10, 2018
This course covered so many interesting things and topics, and also went into some astronomy, which I really enjoy. Overall would recommend this course if you are interested in Earth.
by DAMay 8, 2020
Simply the best most informative, engaging, interesting class I have ever taken!!! Great lectures, teachers, visual aids. Well organized and thoughtful. Fun!!
by CKJun 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this course and module and it gave me a great deal of food for thought. A great project and a very valuable course.
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