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Back to Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows by Tel Aviv University

4.8
stars
1,791 ratings

About the Course

For centuries we have collectively marveled at plant diversity and form—from Charles Darwin’s early fascination with stems and flowers to Seymour Krelborn’s distorted doting in Little Shop of Horrors. This course intends to present an intriguing and scientifically valid look at how plants themselves experience the world—from the colors they see to the sensations they feel. Highlighting the latest research in genetics and more, we will delve into the inner lives of plants and draw parallels with the human senses to reveal that we have much more in common with sunflowers and oak trees than we may realize. We’ll learn how plants know up from down, how they know when a neighbor has been infested by a group of hungry beetles, and whether they appreciate the music you’ve been playing for them or if they’re just deaf to the sounds around them. We’ll explore definitions of memory and consciousness as they relate to plants in asking whether we can say that plants might even be aware of their surroundings. This highly interdisciplinary course meshes historical studies with cutting edge modern research and will be relevant to all humans who seek their place in nature. This class has three main goals: 1. To introduce you to basic plant biology by exploring plant senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste, balance). 2. To introduce you to biological research and the scientific method. 3. To get the student to question life in general and what defines us as humans. Once you've taken this course, if you are interested in a more in-depth study of plants, check out my follow-up course, Fundamentals of Plant Biology (https://www.coursera.org/learn/plant-biology/home/welcome). In order to receive academic credit for this course you must successfully pass the academic exam on campus. For information on how to register for the academic exam – https://tauonline.tau.ac.il/registration Additionally, you can apply to certain degrees using the grades you received on the courses. Read more on this here – https://go.tau.ac.il/b.a/mooc-acceptance Teachers interested in teaching this course in their class rooms are invited to explore our Academic High school program here – https://tauonline.tau.ac.il/online-highschool...

Top reviews

DS

Aug 14, 2021

I really liked this course, the professor was engaging, clear, and informative, and did a great job explaining and simplifying the more complex biology topics so that it was digestible for beginners.

RV

Dec 12, 2016

Love the clarity of the instructors deliver which is supported by great explanations and most importantly visual aids & demonstrations. Ps... Especially loved the bloopers at the end. Nice treat! :)

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251 - 275 of 519 Reviews for Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows

By Roberto C S P

Jul 23, 2020

Muy interesante, lo mas importante son sus proyectos de investigación que presento, sus laboratorios

By Madelaine K

Oct 3, 2018

Great way to be introduced to plants. Love the progression through the different senses of a plant.

By Adrián D

Jul 8, 2018

Excellent course, didactive, easy to follow and not extenuating. Looking forward to the next part!

By Barath V

Aug 14, 2020

Excellent course. Especially the way professor Daniel Chamovitz handled this course was too good.

By Chimfeka A O

Aug 4, 2020

The best simplification yet most effecient and fun way of virtually teaching plant biology, ever.

By Sharavanakkumar S K

May 18, 2020

It is very interesting, I like the way of explaining concepts by using analogy by the instructor.

By Bahaar H

Dec 1, 2019

I loved the course and the wonderful and easy way it was explained. The professor was excellent.

By Roberto C C A

Dec 2, 2020

Excelente curso, el encargado es muy bueno y la información presentada muy clara e interesante.

By Yu-Ping, M

Jan 5, 2018

Very interesting. Simple words with vivid description let me understand the concept easily. : )

By JOAN V S

May 19, 2022

Great course. I was surprised how interesting the world of plants happens to be. Recommended.

By Vijay A

Oct 11, 2017

lecture was very good. easy to understand. covered all aspects. videos and slides very clear.

By Sidney N

Feb 21, 2022

I learned so much! Chamovitz is an engaging and knowledgeable teacher. Will be taking Part 2

By Sandra G

Mar 14, 2021

Great course, interesting material and the prof was excellent. Highly recommend this course.

By Abdallah N

Nov 27, 2020

Excellent course. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructor. Learned a lot! Thank you.

By Munna

Sep 4, 2020

Truly helped me to find my area of interest. It will really construct the future enthusiasm.

By Thomas S

Jun 15, 2020

Great course. So much information to learn. Delivered in a concise, interesting and fun way.

By Priscila F d S

Aug 14, 2017

I loved the course! I never thought studying about plants was so intriguing and fascinating.

By Patel S G

Jul 30, 2020

I m really learning with enjoyment...its a very good explanation by sir... Thank you sir..

By CASSANDRA E R D R

May 31, 2023

Ideal para aprender conceptos básicos de biología vegetal sin tener conocimientos previos.

By Michalis S

Feb 12, 2021

It was fun learning about plant-life throught simply explanations, thanks prof. Chamovitz.

By V. S

May 26, 2020

I was really happy. And I learned lot of things about plants and also thanks to coursera.

By Meghna V

May 16, 2020

It helped me gain a good perspective about plant life. I enjoyed learning in this course.

By Akshayaa V

Dec 13, 2019

This gives us hell a lot learning at basics, which now helped me to improve in my studies

By Safa m v s

Aug 19, 2020

This course is more informational .We get more awareness about plants via this course.

By בר א

Aug 14, 2017

a very intersting and a bit challnaging course for people without backgroud in biology