University of Cape Town
- Start Date: 07 Nov, 2022
- 5 weeks
- Study Content: Videos
Discover the diversity of life on earth, the impacts of five past mass extinctions and the prospect of a sixth extinction today.
Course Fee: Free
Certificate Cost: See Fees and Eligibility
Introduction
Introduction Video
Course Description
This course is made available through the eLearnAfrica and FutureLearn partnership.
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.
The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in science or environmental issues. No previous experience is required. While scientific names are used, to for example identify extinct life forms, knowing these is not required to follow the course. We do offer glossaries and explain terms as we go along so you will be able to follow the themes of the course.
Certificate cost may vary. You will be redirected to the host page for cost and payment options.
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is the oldest university in South Africa.
With its main campus located on the slopes of Devil’s Peak in the Cape Peninsula, it was third on The Telegraph’s 2014 list of the most beautiful campuses in the world.
UCT is one of the leading higher education and research institutions on the African continent and has a tradition of academic excellence that is respected worldwide.
On its staff are more than one-third of South Africa’s A-rated researchers and academics - all of whom are also recognised as world leaders in their respective fields, who have earned international awards and published articles in the world’s most prestigious journals. UCT has also established research and teaching partnerships with universities across Africa and around the world.
UCT focuses research on the leading problems of the day and seeks to instil in graduates a sense of social commitment and responsibility to their communities. UCT has established multidisciplinary research initiatives to tackle contemporary issues such as safety and violence, poverty and inequality, the crisis in basic education across South Africa, African challenges brought by climate change, issues affecting children, urbanisation and various gender issues, to name a few.
This institution is available on eLearnAfrica through partnership with FutureLearn.
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Effective Date: September 22, 2016