Duke University
Introduction to Genetics and Evolution
Duke University

Introduction to Genetics and Evolution

Taught in English

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154,016 already enrolled

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Dr. Mohamed Noor

Instructor: Dr. Mohamed Noor

4.8

(1,528 reviews)

25 hours to complete
3 weeks at 8 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Details to know

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Assessments

18 quizzes

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There are 12 modules in this course

General introduction to this MOOC, including coverage and expectations.

What's included

2 readings

This module discusses the definition of the word "evolution" in a biological context, evidence for the truth of evolution and common ancestry of species, and public thoughts and misconceptions about biological evolution. This module is optional and will not be included in the course assessments. There are not class discussion forums for this section, as we feel such discussion can happen on other, non-course-related, sites on this topic (of which there are a great many on the internet).

What's included

5 videos1 reading

An introduction to basic transmission genetics and inheritance. This module reflects what is often covered in high school biology courses in the USA.

What's included

6 videos1 reading2 quizzes

This module delves somewhat more deeply into genetics and specifically the concept of "recombination." It begins to discuss how recombination is leveraged in classic genetic works as well as mapping simple genetic traits using crosses or data from natural populations.

What's included

7 videos1 reading2 quizzes

This module delves even more deeply into the complexities of the genetics underlying traits,the origin of genetic variation, and how "complex" traits (ones controlled by multiple genes) are studied genetically.

What's included

6 videos1 reading2 quizzes

This module begins the transition to evolutionary genetics by looking at the relative contributions of genetics and environment to traits, and also introduces how population growth is studied.

What's included

6 videos1 reading2 quizzes

Rather than looking at individuals, this module discusses how multiple individuals from natural populations can be studied genetically to begin to understand the evolutionary forces acting upon the populations.

What's included

6 videos1 reading2 quizzes

This module extends the previous one to specifically examine the effects of natural selection and genetic drift on genetic variation in natural populations.

What's included

7 videos1 reading2 quizzes

This advanced module explains why sexual reproduction (involving recombination) is evolutionarily advantageous, and discusses how the analysis of DNA sequences can be used to understand the evolutionary forces acting on populations or species, either in general or at specific genes.

What's included

7 videos1 reading2 quizzes

This module changes gears a bit to look at the exciting field of animal behavior-- specifically, how particular behaviors are or may be adaptive, and why individuals choose particular others as mates.

What's included

5 videos1 reading2 quizzes

This module gets into the nitty gritty of what causes the formation of new species, and how evolutionary relationships between species are inferred.

What's included

6 videos1 reading2 quizzes

This final module talks about applications and misapplications of many of the concepts discussed in the course to human health, understanding, and well-being. This module is optional and not included in the assessments.

What's included

2 videos1 reading

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.9 (400 ratings)
Dr. Mohamed Noor
Duke University
1 Course154,016 learners

Offered by

Duke University

Recommended if you're interested in Basic Science

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