Online Course – Rice University Certified Professional Internship in Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Explore nature like a biologist. Join a journey from the classroom to museums and nature reserves to gain a deep understanding and appreciation of three important areas of biology.

Suggested by: Coursera (What is Coursera?)

Professional Certificate

Beginners

No prior knowledge required

Time to complete the course

7-day free trial

No unnecessary risks

Skills you will acquire in the course

  • Technical writing
  • Conducting research
  • Developing problem-solving skills
  • Using digital tools
  • Teamwork
  • Presenting information clearly
  • project management
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Creative thinking
  • Time management

What you will learn in the course

Courses for which the course is suitable

  • Biologist
  • Evolutionary researcher
  • Curator at the Natural History Museum
  • Zoo worker
  • Ecology researcher
  • Nature guide
  • Biodiversity researcher
  • Nature conservation expert
  • Environmental researcher
  • Biology teacher

Internship – 3-part course series

In this 3-course specialization, you will learn to see nature like a biologist. You will understand and appreciate the incredible diversity of life and the interdependence of all living things. You will explore what we know about the origins of life and how biologists have advanced the science of evolution since the days of Charles Darwin, as well as the effects of evolution on our daily lives. You will examine the characteristics, functions, origins, and roles of each major group of living things. You will also consider humans, including our origins, how we affect the natural world, and our future as a species.

Partners

  • Houston Museum of Natural History
  • Houston Zoo
  • Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
  • Brazos Bend State Park

Applied Learning Project

At the end of each course, there is a final project that is evaluated by peers. Learners will apply the skills they have acquired from the course, such as:

  • Analysis of a living organism in an ecosystem near them
  • Inventing biological traits of an imaginary species

To complete the final projects and provide feedback to each other during the review process.

Details of the courses that make up the specialization

Introduction to Biology: Ecology

Course 1

  • 19 hours
  • 4.8 (91 ratings)

Course Details

What you’ll learn
  • How all living things depend on each other; how people affect the natural world
Skills you will acquire
  • Category: Observational Documentation
  • Category: Ecosystem Model
  • Category: Species Identification
  • Category: Communication of scientific ideas
  • Category: Concept Mapping and Visualization

Introduction to Biology: Evolution

Course 2

  • 11 hours
  • 4.9 (48 ratings)

Course Details

What you’ll learn
  • How biologists have advanced the science of evolution since Charles Darwin; the many applications of evolutionary biology in our daily lives.
Skills you will acquire
  • Category: Observational Documentation
  • Category: Examining ideas
  • Category: Interpreting phylogenetic trees
  • Category: Species Identification
  • Category: Interdisciplinary Thinking

Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity

Course 3

  • 22 hours
  • 4.9 (44 ratings)

Course Details

What you’ll learn
  • Origins, characteristics, and functions of major groups of life; the roles they play in the natural world; and how they relate to people
Skills you will acquire
  • Category: Observational Documentation
  • Category: Examining ideas
  • Category: Sample Testing
  • Category: Species Identification
  • Category: Interdisciplinary Thinking