Course Summary
This course explores the history of Arctic exploration, focusing on the tragic expedition of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror led by Sir John Franklin in 1845.Key Learning Points
- Gain knowledge of Arctic exploration and the tragic expedition of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror
- Understand the impact of the expedition on the Arctic and its people
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the historical context and significance of the Franklin expedition
- Analyze the impact of the expedition on the Arctic and its people
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic knowledge of history
- Interest in Arctic exploration
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
Similar Courses
- Exploring the Arctic: History, Science, and Culture
- The Arctic in the 21st Century
- Polar Exploration
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Actor, Writer, and Explorer
- Explorer and Author
Related Books
Description
Why would hundreds of scientists from around the world intentionally freeze a ship in Arctic sea ice for an entire year, braving subzero temperatures and months of polar darkness? This may sound like a fictional adventure movie plot, but from September 2019 through October 2020, the MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) Arctic research expedition did just this.
Knowledge
- As virtual participants of the MOSAiC expedition, learners will explore all components of the Arctic climate system and how they are interconnected.
- Explore what climate science is, what data scientists collect in the Arctic, and how their findings inform our understanding of weather and climate
- Discuss the critical challenges the Arctic faces under a changing climate and how these changes impact our lives in the mid-latitudes
Outline
- Course Introduction and Course Basics
- Welcome to the Course!
- Module Overview
- What and Where is the Arctic?
- Geopolitics of the Arctic - Great Powers, Strong Institutions, Scientific Cooperation
- The MOSAiC Expedition: An Overview
- Exploring the New and Old Arctic - MOSAiC and the Historic Fram Expedition
- Syllabus
- Virtual tour of Polarstern and Fram Ships
- Read about the MOSAiC expedition in the news
- MOSAiC Resources for Educators
- Atmosphere in the Arctic and Beyond
- Module Overview
- Role of the Arctic in Earth’s Energy Budget
- Up in the Air: Earth's Atmosphere
- Shedding Light on Arctic Clouds
- Arctic Feedbacks
- Why Study the Arctic Atmosphere? Goals of the MOSAiC Atmosphere Team
- Sea Ice Movement (Credit: DLR, TSX/TDX AO: suman_OCE3562)
- Atmosphere Quiz Background Context
- Read about the MOSAiC expedition's atmosphere team in the news
- Visit the MOSAiC ice camp
- Atmosphere
- The Arctic Ocean
- Module Overview
- How the Arctic Ocean Flows
- How the Arctic Ocean Mixes
- Where the Arctic Air and Ocean Meet
- Ocean Chemistry and Productivity Part I
- Ocean Chemistry and Productivity Part II
- Why study the Arctic Ocean? Goals of the MOSAiC Ocean Team
- Arctic Ocean Quiz Background Context
- Read about the MOSAiC expedition's ocean team in the news
- Arctic Ocean
- Sea Ice
- Module Overview
- The Story of Sea Ice
- How Sea Ice is Made
- Sunlight and Arctic Sea Ice
- Ridges and Leads: Sea Ice Dynamics
- Sea Ice Kinetics
- Sea Ice Thermodynamics - Coupling Sea Ice-Atmosphere-Ocean
- Why study Sea Ice? Goals of the MOSAiC Sea Ice Team
- Ice Moving on Radar! - Daily radar images capture sea ice movement and deformation in the region around the Polarstern (credit: Jari Haapala)
- Sea Ice Quiz Background Context
- Read about the MOSAiC sea ice team in the news & in first science paper
- Sea Ice
- Arctic Biochemistry/Ecosystem
- Module Overview
- Life Beneath the Ice
- Life in Sea Ice
- Adaptations to Life in Sea Ice
- Arctic Sea Ice Ecology
- What Starts Up, Must Go Down: Productivity in the Arctic Ocean
- All About Atmospheric Aerosols
- Why study the Arctic Ecosystem? Goals of the MOSAiC Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Team
- Arctic Ecosystem Quiz Background Context
- Follow the MOSAiC's ecosystem & biogeochemistry team in the news.
- Arctic Ecosystem
- Modeling Using Data from the Arctic
- Module Overview
- Why study the Arctic? Goals of the MOSAiC Modeling Team
- Arctic Short-Term Forecasting
- Arctic Regional Modeling
- Climate Modeling to Understand a Changing Arctic
- What is Process Modeling?
- Modeling Quiz Background Context
- Follow the MOSAiC modeling team and colleagues from Year of Polar Predictions in the news
- Modeling
- Challenges in the Arctic
- Module Overview
- Arctic Climate System and Pan-Arctic Connections
- A Changing Climate, A Changing Arctic
- Does a Warming Climate Mean a More Accessible Arctic?
- Pollution in the Arctic
- Arctic Ocean Acidification: Ecosystems and Economies
- A Changing Climate, Changing Ways of Life
- A Changing Climate, Changing Ecosystems
- Course Wrap-Up
- Follow the MOSAiC expedition in the news & News about a changing Arctic
Summary of User Reviews
Frozen in the Ice is a highly rated course on Coursera that explores the history and impact of polar exploration. Many users praise the course for its engaging content and knowledgeable instructors.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
Engaging contentPros from User Reviews
- Instructors are knowledgeable and engaging
- Course content is fascinating and well-structured
- Assignments are challenging and thought-provoking
- Provides valuable insight into polar exploration and its impact on history
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users found the course to be too challenging
- Lack of interaction with other students
- Course materials can be difficult to access
- Some technical issues with the online platform
- Not suitable for those with a casual interest in the topic
Frozen in the Ice: Exploring the Arctic
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Why would hundreds of scientists from around the world intentionally freeze a ship in Arctic sea ice for an entire year, braving subzero temperatures and months of polar darkness?...
The Arctic as a System
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In this course you will first learn about the Arctic as a geographic region, the peoples the Arctic, and the long history of Arctic settlement and exploration....
The Changing Arctic: Present, Past, & Future
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After a review of Arctic climates of the past, attention turns to the possible future of the Arctic’s climate and environment....
