Course description
Dinosaur Ecosystems | Dinosaur Ecosystems | Los Ecosistemas De Los Dinosaurios
The course has a maximum 5* rating and has been taken by learners from 120+ countries. The course was a Finalist of the 2018 edX Prize for Exceptional Contributions in Online Teaching and Learning.
Ever wondered what it would be like to live in the world of dinosaurs? Yes? Well here’s your chance!
Using the Late Cretaceous fossil site of Erlian, China as an example, we bring you to the Gobi desert, as well as leading international museums and institutions to find out how we reconstruct dinosaur ecosystems.
This biology and life science course will focus on the knowledge we can gain from studying animals and plants. You will learn about a dinosaur’s biology including their appearance, classification and diet. We will take a close look at the mostly meat eating theropod dinosaurs, as well as the main plant eating dinosaurs, the sauropodomorphs and ornithischians. At the end of the course, you will learn how palaeontologists use fossil and modern evidence to reconstruct dinosaurs and their ecosystems.
Upcoming start dates
Who should attend?
Prerequisites
None
Training content
Week 1: Course overview and introduction to dinosaurs
Overview of the course, including an introduction to the Late Cretaceous course field site in Erlian, China. Introduction to dinosaur biology from their appearance, classification and diet to their evolution and extinction.
Weeks 2 & 3: Meat eating dinosaurs - theropods
A survey of the theropod dinosaurs discovered in Erlian, including their biology and insights into the preserved ecosystem.
Week 4: Plant eating dinosaurs - sauropodomorph and ornithischian dinosaurs
A survey of Erlian’s herbivores from the dominant hadrosaur ornithischian dinosaurs to rarer sauropodomorph and non-hadrosaur ornithischian dinosaurs. Learn what they tell us about herbivore biology at the time and about the local ecosystem.
Week 5: Living with dinosaurs
A survey of the non-dinosaur reptiles, mammals, fish and invertebrates that lived with the dinosaurs of Erlian. What roles did they play in this ecosystem?
Week 6: Bringing dinosaurs and their ecosystems to life - diet, behaviour and growth and course summary
Find out what evidence palaeontologists use to bring dinosaurs to life in seemingly impossible ways. Also, a summary of the entire course.
Week 1 : Course Overview and Introduction to Dinosaurs Course overview, introduction to the
Late Cretaceous study site in Erlianhot, China, and an understanding of the biology of dinosaurs from appearance, taxonomy and food to evolution and extinction .
Weeks 2 and 3 : Carnivorous Dinosaurs - Theropods Study the theropods found in Erenhot, including their biology and the ecosystem in which they are located .
Week 4 : Herbivorous Dinosaurs - Sauropodomorphs and Ornithischia Dinosaurs Study the herbivores in Erenhot, from the dominant hadrosaurs Ornithischia to the rarer sauropods and non- Hadrosaurs ornithischian dinosaurs. Learn about the biology of herbivores and the local ecosystem at the time.
Week 5 : Coexisting with Dragons Study non- dinosaur reptiles, mammals, fish and invertebrates that lived in Erenhot during the dinosaur period. What role did they play in the ecosystem at the time?
Week 6 : Recreating Dinosaurs and Their Ecosystem - Food , Behavior , and Growth Process and Lesson Summary Learn how paleontologists use evidence to bring dinosaurs to us and a summary of the entire course .
Week 1: Course overview and introduction to dinosaurs
Course overview, including an introduction to the Late Cretaceous fossil bed at Erlian, China. Introduction to the biology of dinosaurs, from their appearance, classification and diet to the evolution and extinction of these species.
Weeks 2 & 3: Carnivorous Dinosaurs - Theropods
We will investigate the theropod dinosaurs discovered at Erlian, including their biology and information about past ecosystems.
Week 4: Herbivorous Dinosaurs - Sauropodomorphs and Ornithischians
We will investigate Erlian herbivorous dinosaurs, from the predominant ornithischian hadrosaurs to less abundant species such as sauropodomorphs and other types of ornithischian dinosaurs. You will learn what they tell us about the biology of the herbivores of that time and of the local ecosystems.
Week 5: Living with the dinosaurs
We will investigate the other reptiles, mammals, fish, and invertebrates that lived alongside the dinosaurs in Erlian. What roles did they play in these ecosystems?
Week 6: Reviving dinosaurs and their ecosystems - diet, behavior and growth. Course summary.
We will find out the amazing evidence that paleontologists use to show how dinosaurs lived. At the end of this week we will also make a summary of the entire course.
Course delivery details
This course is offered through University of Hong Kong, a partner institute of EdX.
1-2 hours per week
Costs
- Verified Track -$199
- Audit Track - Free
Certification / Credits
What you'll learn
- Dinosaur biology
- How palaeontologists reconstruct ancient ecosystems using fossil and modern evidence
- The traits and significance of a Late Cretaceous dinosaur ecosystem
- dinosaur biology
- How paleontologists use fossils and modern evidence to reconstruct ancient ecosystems
- Characteristics of Late Cretaceous Dinosaur Ecosystems
- Dinosaur Biology
- How paleontologists reconstruct ecosystems of the past using fossil evidence and the modern world
- The characteristics and significance of a Late Cretaceous ecosystem populated by dinosaurs
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