Emergence of Life
How did life emerge on Earth? How have life and Earth co-evolved through geological time? Is life elsewhere in the universe? Take a look through the 4-billion-year history of life on Earth through the lens of the modern Tree of Life!This course will evaluate the entire history of life on Earth within the context of our cutting-edge understanding of the Tree of Life. This includes the pioneering work of Professor Carl Woese on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus which revolutionized our understanding with a new “Tree of Life.” Other themes include:
-Reconnaissance of ancient primordial life before the first cell evolved
-The entire ~4-billion-year development of single- and multi-celled life through the lens of the Tree of Life
-The influence of Earth system processes (meteor impacts, volcanoes, ice sheets) on shaping and structuring the Tree of Life
This synthesis emphasizes the universality of the emergence of life as a prelude for the search for extraterrestrial life.
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Syllabus
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week 1
Orientation
Week 1 - Geological Time and the Nature of Science
Week 2
Week 2 - The Tree of Life and Early Earth Environments
Week 3
Week 3 - Fossilization and Precambrian Life-Earth Interaction
Week 4
Week 4 - Paleozoic Life After the Advent of Skeletons
Week 5
Week 5 - Paleozoic Plants, Reptiles, and the Transition to Land
Week 6
Week 6 - Mesozoic Reign of the Dinosaurs and the Development of Flight
Week 7
Week 7 - Cenozoic Mammals and Global Environmental Change
Week 8
Week 8 - Astrobiology and the Search for Life in the Cosmos
FAQ
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
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 purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, 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.
Reviews
Excellent lectures. Personal transformation observed while watching.
Enjoyed every minute of the course and learned so much at the same time!
Really fascinating videos and engaging lecturers. I learned a lot!
Learned a lot as an auditor; the teachers were excellent : professional and charismatic .
