Discover the diversity of life on earth, the impacts of five past mass extinctions and the prospect of a sixth extinction today.
Master key concepts and practical skills through structured learning modules. By completing this curriculum, you'll gain valuable expertise applicable to real-world scenarios.
This free online course explores how life on earth has been shaped by five mass extinction events in the distant past. At present, biodiversity is facing a crisis, with the prospect of a sixth extinction event today. Explore the five mass extinctions of the past Each week there are discussions with scientists about how their research informs us about the biodiversity of our planet including the very first life forms; fish and tetrapod diversification; the radiation of reptiles and dinosaurs; and the rise of mammals. We focus on the five previous mass extinction events that have shaped the biodiversity of our planet. The fossil record reveals evidence of species that went extinct during these mass extinctions and the new opportunities created for the surviving biota to diversify. The threat of a “sixth extinction” today Turning to the present and the anthropocene period, we look at how human behaviour is now beginning to impact the Earth’s ecosystems. We consider the threat of the so-called ‘sixth extinction’, finding out how our actions are reducing biodiversity and threatening the survival of many species. Learn with one of the world’s leading paleontologists ‘Extinctions: Past and Present’ is created by the University of Cape Town, and filmed on location at South Africa’s Iziko Museum, West Coast Fossil Park, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, and the Table Mountain National Park. You will learn with Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan – an acclaimed paleobiologist, author of a range of academic and children’s books on fossils, and former South African Woman of the Year. In 2013 she was awarded The World Academy of Science’s Sub-Saharan Prize for the Public Understanding and Popularization of Science.
This comprehensive Extinctions: Past and Present curriculum is designed to take you from foundational concepts to advanced implementation. Each module builds upon the previous, ensuring a structured learning path that maximizes knowledge retention and practical application.
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Course Instructor
Current threats to biodiversity
Expert instructor with industry experience
Subject Category
Nature & Environment, Science, Engineering & Maths, Biology and Biotechnology
Part of our Nature & Environment, Science, Engineering & Maths, Biology and Biotechnology curriculum
Course Language
English
All materials in English
This online course offers comprehensive training with expert instruction, practical exercises, and a certificate of completion. Join thousands of students advancing their careers through quality online education.
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