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Circadian clocks: how rhythms structure life

Approx. 13 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Explore the science of circadian rhythms and learn how they impact our health, sleep, and daily lives.

Key Learning Points

Understand the biological mechanisms behind circadian rhythms
Examine the impact of circadian rhythms on sleep and health
Learn how to optimize your daily routine for better sleep and overall health

Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have

- USA: $61,340 - $159,320
- India: ₹3,49,000 - ₹21,25,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €60,000
- USA: $61,340 - $159,320
- India: ₹3,49,000 - ₹21,25,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €60,000
- USA: $45,000 - $124,000
- India: ₹2,00,000 - ₹12,00,000
- Spain: €18,000 - €45,000
- USA: $61,340 - $159,320
- India: ₹3,49,000 - ₹21,25,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €60,000
- USA: $45,000 - $124,000
- India: ₹2,00,000 - ₹12,00,000
- Spain: €18,000 - €45,000
- USA: $36,000 - $79,000
- India: ₹1,80,000 - ₹8,50,000
- Spain: €15,000 - €35,000

Learning Outcomes

Understand the basics of circadian rhythms and their impact on sleep and health
Learn how to optimize your daily routine for better sleep and overall health
Gain knowledge on the latest research in the field of circadian biology

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of biology
Interest in sleep and health

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

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Notable People in This Field

Professor of Circadian Neuroscience
Professor of Regulatory Biology

Related Books

Description

This course is geared towards starting undergraduate students. A solid background in biology will be helpful but not absolutely essential. The material will be of interest to those who are pursuing a career in any of the life sciences as well as anyone who has run up against their biological clock.

Outline

WEEK 1
1.0 Introduction to the First Half of Lecture 1
1.1 The Family of Biological Rhythms
1.2 The Circa-Rhythms
1.3 Spatial and Temporal Niches
1.4 The Case of Gonyaulax polyedra
1.5 Introduction to the Second Half of Lecture 1
1.6 Circadian Rhythms in Mammals
1.7 Circadian Clocks in Flies, Plants and Fungi
1.8 Wrap up for Lecture 1
Literature suggestion
Lecture 1, Introduction, first half.
Lecture 1, Introduction, second half.

WEEK 2
2.0. Introduction to Lecture 2
2.1 Pittendrigh´s generalisations 1-9
2.2 Pittendrigh´s generalisations 10 and 11
2.3 Pittendrigh´s generalisations 12-16 and entrainment
2.4 Wrap-up for Lecture 2
Literature suggestion
Translation of de Mairan's botanical observation
Obituary Jürgen Aschoff
Formalisms

WEEK 3
3.0 Introduction to Lecture 3
3.1 The first clock gene
3.2 The negative feedback hypothesis
3.3 More clock genes -many more!
3.4 Post transcriptional mechanisms and the clock
3.5 Indications of a non-transcriptional clock
3.6 Zeitgebers and the molecular clockwork
3.7 Wrap-up to Lecture 3
Literature suggestion
Lecture 3 Molecular mechanisms

WEEK 4
4.0 Introduction to Lecture 4
4.1 Clock control: which processes in humans and how to measure them?
4.2 Schwänzeltanz
4.3 The SCN regulates the timing of physiology and behaviour
4.4 Clock controlled genes (ccg´s)
4.5 Clock regulation of behaviour: genetic mechanisms
4.6 Clock regulation of other major regulatory systems
4.7 Wrap-Up to Lecture 4
Literature suggestion
Lecture 4: Clock control

WEEK 5
5.0 Introduction to Lecture 5
5.1 Chronotypes
5.2 What makes up Chronotypes?
5.3 Linking chronotype and light entrainment
5.4 How modern life styles affect sleep
5.5 Wrap-up to Lecture 5
The link to the MCTQ
Human

WEEK 6
6.0 Introduction to the First Half of Lecture 6
6.1 What is normal and what not and why?
6.2 The consequences of living against the clock
6.3 Circadian changes and Pathologies - comorbidities or causal factors
6.4 Introduction to the Second Half of Lecture 6
6.5 Clock genes that can really mess up the timing of sleep
6.6 The clock gene mutant mice are sick
6.7 Chronopharmacology and chronochemotherapy
6.8 The circadian clock is a fitness characteristic
6.9 Wrap-up to Lecture 6
6.10 Farewell from your CircaClock Team
Final Exam "Circaclock"
Pathology
Lecture 6. Clock and pathologies

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the fascinating world of circadian clocks with this comprehensive course on Coursera. Students praise the course for its engaging content and knowledgeable instructors. One key aspect that users found particularly good is the practical application of the concepts learned in the course.

Pros from User Reviews

Engaging and knowledgeable instructors
Practical application of concepts learned
Well-structured content
Clear and concise explanations
Flexibility to learn at your own pace

Cons from User Reviews

Lack of interaction with other students
Some technical issues with the platform
Limited opportunities for hands-on learning
Some sections may be too advanced for beginners
No certificate of completion for free version

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