Ecosystems and the Biosphere
Master the science behind the Earth’s intricate web of life. This course delivers a rigorous, module-based exploration of energy flows, nutrient cycles, and the vast diversity of biomes—equipping you with foundational knowledge to analyze and engage with ecological systems at a global scale.
What You Will Learn
Understand the mechanics of energy transfer and nutrient cycling that underpin all ecosystems. Trace the movement of carbon, water, nitrogen, and phosphorus through biogeochemical cycles, and see how these processes drive life on Earth.
Investigate the defining characteristics of terrestrial biomes, from rainforests to tundra, and compare them with the dynamics of freshwater and marine environments. Each lesson stands alone, ensuring you can focus on the concepts most relevant to your professional or academic interests.
By the end of this program, you’ll have the analytical tools to evaluate ecological challenges and apply systems thinking to real-world environmental questions.
Module 1: Energy Flow through Ecosystems
Examine how energy moves from the sun to producers and through all levels of the food web.
Module 2: Biogeochemical Cycles
Analyze the essential cycles of water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus that sustain life.
Module 3: Terrestrial Biomes
Survey Earth’s major land-based biomes and their unique ecological characteristics.
Module 4: Aquatic and Marine Biomes
Contrast freshwater and marine ecosystems, exploring the organisms and processes that define them.
Join a new generation of ecological thinkers—gain the knowledge to interpret, protect, and influence the living world around you.
Curriculum
- 4 Sections
- 21 Lessons
- 10 Weeks
- Energy Flow through Ecosystems4
- Biogeochemical Cycles5
- Terrestrial Biomes8
- Aquatic and Marine Biomes4
Instructor
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