This course is part of the Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity Specialization

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Scott Solomon

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Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity SpecializationRice University

About this Course

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Ecology is all about connections. In this course, we’ll see how interdependent every living thing is and how people are impacting the natural world. Like all sciences, ecology isn’t just a list of known facts– it’s also a process. I love telling stories, and I’ve included many stories about how we’ve come to know what we know about ecology through observations and experiments.

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Course 1 of 3 in the

Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity Specialization

Beginner Level

None.

Approx. 19 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Course 1 of 3 in the

Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity Specialization

Beginner Level

None.

Approx. 19 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.55/5 (9 Ratings)

Scott Solomon

Associate Teaching Professor

Department of BioSciences

2,455 Learners

3 Courses

Offered by

Rice University

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week1

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Welcome to Introduction to Biology - Ecology

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 6 min), 3 readings

1 hour to complete

Module 1: What is Ecology?

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 9 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes

5 hours to complete

Module 2: Community Ecology

5 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 44 min), 10 readings, 3 quizzes

7 videos

Linnaeus' Quest6mAbiotic Factors8mGeographic Distribution Modeling10mBarnacles4mThe Ecological Niche Concept7mWhat Happens When Niches Overlap?3mEcological Specialization3m

10 readings

Incomplete Notes on "Linnaeus' Quest"1mReading Related to Linnaeus' Quest30mIncomplete Notes on "Abiotic Factors"1mAbiotic Factors in Different Environments20mIncomplete Notes on "Geographic Distribution Modeling"1mIncomplete Notes on "Barnacles"1mIncomplete Notes on "Niche Concept"1mIncomplete Notes on " What Happens When Niches Overlap?"1mIncomplete Notes on "Ecological Specialization"1m📖 Openstax textbook references for Module 250m

2 practice exercises

Abiotic Factors Affecting a Tree10mModule 2 Quiz30m

Week2

Week 2

1 hour to complete

Module 3: Island Biogeography

1 hour to complete

3 videos (Total 20 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

2 hours to complete

Module 4: Species Interactions

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 34 min), 8 readings, 2 quizzes

6 videos

Classic Experiment: Sea Stars5mThe Wolves of Yellowstone4mHow Prey Avoid Predators6mWhen Species Cooperate: Ants and Acacias3mWhy Species Sometimes Cooperate?-Part II12mCommensalism2m

8 readings

Incomplete Notes on "Sea Stars"1mIncomplete Notes on "The Wolves in Yellowstone"1mIncomplete Notes on "How Prey Avoid Predators"1mIncomplete Notes on "When Species Cooperate"1mIncomplete Notes on "Interview with Dr. Correa"1m(Optional) Correa Lab1mIncomplete Notes on "Commensalism"1m📖 Openstax textbook references for Module 410m

2 practice exercises

🦦Sea Otters as Keystone Species30mModule 4 Quiz30m

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

Module 5: Population Ecology

4 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 22 min), 7 readings, 2 quizzes

4 videos

Conducting a Population Census6mChanges in Population Size6mFactors that Limit Population Growth5mHuman Population Growth3m

7 readings

Incomplete Notes on "Conducting a Population Census"1mAlligators in Brazos Bend40mIncomplete Notes on "Changes in Population Size"1mIncomplete Notes on "Factors that Limit Population Size"1mMoose on Isle Royale10mIncomplete Notes on "Human Population Growth"1m📖 Openstax textbook references for Module 550m

2 practice exercises

Moose Island15mModule 5 Quiz30m

2 hours to complete

Module 6: Conservation Biology

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 22 min), 8 readings, 2 quizzes

5 videos

How Humans Impact the Natural World - Habitat Loss4mClassic Experiment: Amazon Forest Fragmentation5mInvasive Species4mClimate Change and the Carbon Cycle4mHow Climate Change Affects Nature3m

8 readings

Incomplete Notes on "How Humans Impact the Natural World"1mImpact of Habitat Loss30mIncomplete Notes on "Amazon Forest Fragmentation Project"1mIncomplete Notes on "Invasive Species"1mThe Birds of Shakespeare Cause US Trouble10mIncomplete Notes on "Climate Change" 1mIncomplete Notes on "How Climate Change Affects Nature"1m📖 Openstax textbook references for Module 625m

2 practice exercises

Fires in the Udzungawa Mountains15mModule 6 Quiz30m

Week4

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Module 7: The Future of the Biosphere

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 34 min), 8 readings, 1 quiz

6 videos

The Sixth Mass Extinction?7mWhat Happens to Ecosystems When Species Disappear?8mPollination and Our Food Supply4mHow Biodiversity Loss Affects People: Wetlands3mHow Biodiversity Loss Affects People: Disease4mBiophilia and Cultural Considerations for Biodiversity Loss4m

8 readings

Incomplete Notes on "The 6th Mass Extinction"1mThe Zoo's Connection with Houston Toads10mIncomplete Notes on "What Happens to Ecosystems When Species Disappear?"1mIncomplete Notes on "Pollination and Our Food Supply"1mIncomplete Notes on "How Biodiversity Loss Affects People: Wetlands"10mIncomplete Notes on "How Biodiversity Loss Affects People: Disease"10mIncomplete Notes on "Biophilia and Cultural Considerations"10m📖 Openstax textbook references for Module 715m

1 practice exercise

Module 7 Quiz30m

1 hour to complete

Final Assessment and Course Summary

1 hour to complete

1 video (Total 1 min)

Reviews

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TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY: ECOLOGY

by STNov 27, 2022

Fantastic professor!

I love your work! Will be applying to Rice because of it :)

by ANFeb 8, 2023

it is actually a amazing course. i learnt alot from it.

by SLFeb 15, 2023

Loved it!!! An amazing introduction to this perspective in life! Than you!

View all reviews

About the Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity Specialization

In this 3-course specialization, you will learn to see nature the way a biologist does. You will gain an understanding and appreciation for the incredible diversity of life and the interdependence of all living things. You will explore what we know about the origins of life and how biologists have advanced the science of evolution since Charles Darwin's lifetime, as well as the many applications of evolutionary biology to our everyday lives; you will examine the characteristics, functions, origins, and the roles of each major group of living things. You will also consider humans, including our origins, how we are impacting the natural world, and our future as a species.

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The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Introduction to Biology: Ecology

About this Course