University of Exeter
- Start Date: 25 Apr, 2022
- 4 weeks
- Study Content: Videos
Discover Earth’s invisible life-support systems and how understanding natural environments is key in tackling climate change.
Course Fee: Free
Certificate Cost: See Fees and Eligibility
Course Description
This course is made available through the eLearnAfrica and FutureLearn partnership.
Delve into the history of Earth to transform your understanding of the world
Given the current climate emergency, it’s increasingly important that we have a good understanding of Earth’s life support systems. We rely on these systems for fresh air, clean water, fertile soil, rich biodiversity, and a stable climate.
On this four-week course, you’ll explore the natural systems we can’t see or feel, from microscopic creatures to gases. You’ll discover how all life is shaped by and shapes these invisible worlds, exploring the impact humans have on our natural systems.
You’ll also investigate the evolution of these systems and the history of the Earth to understand how we can learn from our past.
Gain an understanding of the carbon cycle
As you start to explore the Earth as a system, you’ll delve further into how we are all connected.
You’ll look at the carbon cycle and how this impacts climate change before investigating nutrient cycles and both the challenges and solutions that come with this.
Unpack natural systems including microbes
You’ll look at the small invisible – the microbes that run our life support system on Earth and inside our bodies.
As you discover the importance of microbes, you’ll explore what we can learn from them and what we can do better.
Understand how the Anthropocene contributes to the climate emergency
Finally, you’ll explore the age of the Anthropocene – the human era that our planet is currently experiencing.
Within this, you’ll understand how the Earth system has shaped us and how we in turn are reshaping the Earth system.
This course expands on the content shown at the Eden Project’s Invisible Worlds exhibition. Guided by the experts at the University of Exeter and the Eden Project, you’ll finish the course with a solid understanding of the Earth’s natural systems.
This course is designed for anyone with an interest in nature and the environment, including students and policymakers. A science background is not necessary to follow the videos and articles.
Invisible Worlds is an exhibition at the Eden Project, where scientists work with communicators, artists, designers, and writers to bring those Invisible Worlds to our senses and to explore a fresh perspective on our life support system.
Certificate cost may vary. You will be redirected to the host page for cost and payment options.
University of Exeter
The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university and in the top 1% of institutions globally.
It combines world-class research with very high levels of student satisfaction. Exeter has over 18,000 students and is ranked 8th in The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 10th in The Complete University Guide 2014 and 12th in the Guardian University Guide 2014. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 90% of the University’s research was rated as being at internationally recognised levels and 16 of its 31 subjects are ranked in the top 10, with 27 subjects ranked in the top 20.
The University has invested in more than £350 million worth of new facilities across its campuses in the last few years; including landmark new student services centres - the Forum in Exeter and The Exchange on the Penryn Campus in Cornwall, together with world-class new facilities for Biosciences, the Business School and the Environment and Sustainability Institute. There are plans for another £330 million of investment between now and 2016.
This institution is available on eLearnAfrica through partnership with FutureLearn.
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CHANGING THE HONOR CODE
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Effective Date: September 22, 2016