Universiteit Leiden

Evolution Today

Taught in English

Some content may not be translated

9,688 already enrolled

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Menno Schilthuizen
Maurijn van der Zee
Rutger Vos

Instructors: Menno Schilthuizen

4.6

(165 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
19 hours to complete
3 weeks at 6 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

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Assessments

23 quizzes

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There are 6 modules in this course

Great that you are joining us! In this course you will learn about Evolution. Before you start with this course we invite you to first take a look around and meet your fellow learners. We would like to know what brings you here and what you would like to get out of the course. If you encounter any difficulties while studying, please let us know in the forum. For technical difficulties or questions regarding the course certificate, you can always contact the Coursera Learner Helpdesk. Good luck & we hope you will enjoy studying in this course!

What's included

1 video4 readings2 discussion prompts1 plugin

In this module, you are going to learn that a very powerful mechanism, natural selection, leads to evolutionary change. We are going to have a detailed look at what is required for this natural selection. And, knowing these conditions, we can judge whether traits in humans are evolving at the moment. This is a surprisingly simple module. I am looking forward to discuss human evolution with you at the end!

What's included

5 videos5 readings5 quizzes4 discussion prompts

This is a real puzzle-module. We are going to decipher the language of DNA, and see that mutations in this DNA lead to new variation. As we saw, variation is the raw material for natural selection. Thus, take your pen and pencil and unravel with me the code of your own DNA!

What's included

5 videos2 readings4 quizzes

In the first two modules, we have asked ourselves whether we experience evolutionary change, and if so, how this change comes about. In this module, we will explore who this "we" is anyway: is it us, the individual? Is it our species? Our genes? Who is in charge here?

What's included

6 videos5 readings6 quizzes

In this module, we will take a look at the limitations to evolution. Despite the strength of the process of natural selection, some things simply are not possible. Evolution has to play by the rules, and this module will explore what those rules are.

What's included

4 videos1 reading3 quizzes1 peer review3 discussion prompts

In this module, we will have a look at the future. How will humans evolve, and, as our impact on the world increases, how will we affect the evolution of other organisms?

What's included

5 videos4 readings5 quizzes1 peer review3 discussion prompts

Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.8 (12 ratings)
Menno Schilthuizen
Universiteit Leiden
1 Course9,688 learners
Maurijn van der Zee
Universiteit Leiden
1 Course9,688 learners
Rutger Vos
Universiteit Leiden
1 Course9,688 learners

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4.6

165 reviews

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PM
5

Reviewed on May 9, 2020

AH
5

Reviewed on May 23, 2020

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5

Reviewed on Apr 9, 2020

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