This course presents the principles of evolution and ecology for citizens and students interested in studying biology and environmental sciences. It discusses major ideas and results. Recent advances have energised these fields with evidence that has implications beyond their boundaries: ideas, mechanisms, and processes that should form part of the toolkit of all biologists and educated citizens.
Ecology: from cells to Gaia
Национальный исследовательский Томский государственный университетОб этом курсе
Карьерные результаты учащихся
33%
25%
Карьерные результаты учащихся
33%
25%
от партнера

Национальный исследовательский Томский государственный университет
National Research Tomsk State University is the largest classical university in the Asian part of Russia. For over 140 years TSU has been training the scientific and managerial elite, based on the integration of academic process and fundamental scientific research. It is a renowned center of education, science, innovations and attraction for creative talents, a generator of advanced ideas, and a paragon of adherence to the best traditions of Russian higher education.
Программа курса: что вы изучите
Welcome to the Course
Module 1. The Scope of Ecology
In this module, after an introduction about the meaning and a brief history of Ecology, we will see how plant and animal adapt and interact with their environment and how these interactions changes life histories and populations. Then we will focus on interspecific competition and we will understand that the avoidance of competition is a more common pattern in ecology than pure competition.
Module 2. The Ecosystem
In this module, we will talk about agonistic and foraging interactions between species (such as predation, herbivory and parasitism) and mutualistic interactions (such as symbiosis, commensalism, endosymbiosis, etc.). Then we will see how these interactions influence the evolutionary ecology of species and their diversity. In the last lesson of this module we will analyse the energy flux and biogeochemical cycles that keep alive Earth’s ecosystems and the whole biosphere (e.g. Gaia).
Module 3. Energy in Ecological Systems
In this module, we will discuss some fundamental ecological processes, such as those must be present in any Gaian planet. We will consider the Gaian effects of parasites and predators, biodiversity and hypercycles and we will see how these processes regulates our planet. Finally, we will consider the global ecological role of biomass, photosynthesis and carbon sequestration.
Module 4. Population Ecology and Evolution
In this final module, we will explore the possibility of a new ecology by exploring the concept of sustainability, evaluating the human impacts on ecosystems and providing some solutions for nature conservation. Finally, we will see how to organise a citizen science event, called Bio-blitz, which can improve the scientific knowledge of our planet and, at the same time, rise the ecological awareness of citizens.
Рецензии
Лучшие отзывы о курсе ECOLOGY: FROM CELLS TO GAIA
The course is very useful for those who are concerned with the enviromantal studies and conservation of the Earth. It is very simple to understand and is provided with videos and transcriptions.
It is wonderful class. I thoroughly enjoyed.Igetmore information about nature. It is very useful in my studies.and my projects
such a nice course, presentation is so good , specially thanks to university "Tomsk State University".
Thanks to Roberto. I like to organise a Bio Blitz in Springtime nearby Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
Когда я получу доступ к лекциям и заданиям?
Что я получу, оплатив сертификацию?
Is financial aid available?
Получу ли я зачеты в университете за прохождение курса?
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