Paleontology: Early Vertebrate Evolution

  • 4.8
Approx. 7 hours to complete

Course Summary

Explore the fascinating world of early vertebrate evolution in this course, where you will learn about the evolution of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles.

Key Learning Points

  • Understand the evolutionary history of early vertebrates
  • Learn about the anatomy and physiology of early vertebrates
  • Discover the adaptations that early vertebrates underwent to survive in their environments

Related Topics for further study


Learning Outcomes

  • Gain a deep understanding of the evolutionary history of early vertebrates
  • Develop an appreciation for the adaptations that early vertebrates underwent to survive in their environments
  • Be able to apply the knowledge gained in the course to further studies in biology and evolution

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

  • Basic knowledge of biology
  • Interest in evolution and early vertebrates

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

  • Online self-paced
  • Video lectures
  • Interactive quizzes

Similar Courses

  • Introduction to Evolutionary Biology
  • The Diversity of Fishes

Related Education Paths


Notable People in This Field

  • Richard Dawkins
  • Neil deGrasse Tyson

Related Books

Description

Paleontology: Early Vertebrate Evolution is a four-lesson course teaching a comprehensive overview of the origin of vertebrates. Students will explore the diversity of Palaeozoic lineages within a phylogenetic and evolutionary framework. This course examines the evolution of major vertebrate novelties including the origin of fins, jaws, and tetrapod limbs. Students also explore key Canadian fossil localities, including the Burgess Shale (British Columbia), Miguasha (Quebec), and Man On The Hill (Northwest Territories). Watch a preview of the course here: https://uofa.ualberta.ca/courses/paleontology-vertebrate-evolution

Outline

  • The Phanerozoic Begins
  • Course Preview Video
  • 1.1 Vertebrate Origins
  • 1.2 Vertebrate Environments
  • 1.3 Diversity of Early Vertebrate Life
  • Instructional Staff
  • Meet Your Presenter: Scott Persons
  • Course Glossary
  • Acknowledgements
  • Interactive Learning Objects
  • Lesson 1 Course Notes
  • Module 1 Assessment (Graded)
  • Learning to Swim
  • 2.1 Our Fish-like Ancestors
  • 2.2 Early Fish Types & Anatomy - Part 1
  • 2.2 Early Fish Types & Anatomy - Part 2
  • Lesson 2 Course Notes
  • Module 2 Assessment (Graded)
  • Learning to Bite
  • 3.1 Evolution of Jaws - Part 1
  • 3.1 Evolution of Jaws - Part 2
  • 3.2 Placoderms
  • Lesson 3 Course Notes
  • Module 3 Assessment (Graded)
  • Learning to Walk
  • 4.1 Introduction to Osteichthyes
  • 4.2 The Lobe-Finned Fishes
  • 4.3 Primitive Tetrapods
  • Lesson 4 Course Notes
  • Module 4 Assessment (Graded)

Summary of User Reviews

Discover the wonders of early vertebrate evolution with this fascinating course on Coursera! Learn from experts in the field and gain a deeper understanding of the history of life on Earth. Users have praised the course for its engaging content and helpful instructors.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Many users loved the engaging content and found the instructors to be very helpful.

Pros from User Reviews

  • Engaging content
  • Helpful instructors
  • In-depth coverage of vertebrate evolution
  • Excellent resources and materials
  • Great for both beginners and experts

Cons from User Reviews

  • Some users found the course to be too challenging
  • Occasional technical difficulties with the platform
  • Limited interaction with other students
  • Not enough emphasis on practical applications
  • Some users felt that the course was too focused on theory
English
Available now
Approx. 7 hours to complete
Alison Murray, Ph.D
University of Alberta
Coursera

Instructor

Alison Murray, Ph.D

  • 4.8 Raiting
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