Emergence of Life: From Primordial Earth to Modern Biology
Explore the 4-billion-year history of life on Earth through the lens of the modern Tree of Life. Learn about early Earth, evolution, and astrobiology.
Explore the 4-billion-year history of life on Earth through the lens of the modern Tree of Life. Learn about early Earth, evolution, and astrobiology.
This comprehensive course takes you on a journey through the 4-billion-year history of life on Earth, viewed through the lens of the modern Tree of Life. Led by Professor Bruce W. Fouke, you'll explore the pioneering work of Carl Woese, which revolutionized our understanding of life's evolution. The course covers the emergence of primordial life, the development of single and multi-celled organisms, and the influence of Earth's processes on shaping life. You'll learn about key events like the Cambrian Explosion, the rise of plants and animals on land, the reign of dinosaurs, and the evolution of mammals. The course concludes with an exploration of astrobiology and the search for life in the cosmos, providing a comprehensive understanding of life's origins and potential future.
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What you'll learn
Understand the 4-billion-year history of life on Earth and its major evolutionary milestones
Explore the modern Tree of Life and its implications for understanding biological relationships
Learn about early Earth conditions and theories on the origins of life
Examine key events in Earth's history, including major extinction events and their impacts
Understand the evolution of various life forms, from single-celled organisms to complex animals
Investigate the transition of life from water to land and the subsequent diversification
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
9.5 Hours PreRecorded video
17 quizzes
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
FullTime access
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There are 9 modules in this course
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of life's emergence and evolution on Earth over the past 4 billion years. It begins with an examination of early Earth conditions and the origins of life, then progresses through major evolutionary milestones such as the development of single and multi-celled organisms, the Cambrian Explosion, and the rise of plants and animals on land. The course covers key periods in Earth's history, including the reign of dinosaurs and the evolution of mammals, while also discussing major extinction events and their impact on life's diversity. Throughout, the course emphasizes the interconnectedness of life and Earth processes, using the modern Tree of Life as a framework. The final module introduces astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life, connecting Earth's biological history to the broader cosmos.
Orientation Module
Module 1 · 2 Hours to complete
Week 1 - Geological Time and the Nature of Science
Module 2 · 3 Hours to complete
Week 2 - The Tree of Life and Early Earth Environments
Module 3 · 10 Hours to complete
Week 3 - Fossilization and Precambrian Life-Earth Interaction
Module 4 · 3 Hours to complete
Week 4 - Paleozoic Life After the Advent of Skeletons
Module 5 · 7 Hours to complete
Week 5 - Paleozoic Plants, Reptiles, and the Transition to Land
Module 6 · 3 Hours to complete
Week 6 - Mesozoic Reign of the Dinosaurs and the Development of Flight
Module 7 · 6 Hours to complete
Week 7 - Cenozoic Mammals and Global Environmental Change
Module 8 · 5 Hours to complete
Week 8 - Astrobiology and the Search for Life in the Cosmos
Module 9 · 3 Hours to complete
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Instructor
Expert in Geobiology and Environmental Science Research
Dr. Bruce W. Fouke serves as the Ralph E. Grim Professor in Earth Science & Environmental Change and Director of the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His groundbreaking research spans the intersection of geology, molecular biology, and medicine (GeoBioMed), with applications ranging from energy and human health to environmental sustainability and space exploration. After completing degrees from Bradley University, University of Iowa, University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. from Stony Brook University, he conducted postdoctoral research at institutions including NASA Ames Research Center. His research portfolio includes studies of microbial evolution, coral reef ecosystems, thermophilic bacteria, and human medical conditions through an integrated GeoBioMed approach. As the AAPG Roy M. Huffington Distinguished Lecturer for the Asia-Pacific Region, he has shared his expertise globally. His work has received widespread recognition, being featured in National Geographic, the New York Times, and National Public Radio, while his teaching excellence has been acknowledged through multiple awards including the UIUC Campus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
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4.2 course rating
103 ratings
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