About this course
This course provides a brief introduction to the phenomenon of symbiosis, multiple organisms living together in an intimate relationship. Symbiosis can include symbiotic organisms, like lichens, to complex ecological interactions, as in microbial mat communities, to the extraordinarily diverse associations between individuals and various microbial communities, as in the intestine, skin and genitals. Symbiosis also opens the door to radically new ways to think about life and its evolution.
The course is divided into six short lectures: Introduction to symbiosis; The lichen symbiosis; Physiology of symbiosis; Dynamics of symbiosis; The evolution of mutualism; and Symbiogenesis. It will take you about 90 minutes to watch them all. Please take a look at the promo video for a fuller description.
This course is aimed at anyone who has an interest in this phenomenon, from people with little biological training, to undergraduate college students who want an entry point into this fascinating subject, to professionals and graduate students looking for a quick brush-up on the subject.
When you've completed the course, my goal is for you to have learned something about symbiosis, and that you will want to go out and learn more!
What are the requirements?
- A basic knowledge of biology (e.g. an introductory biology course)
What am I going to get from this course?
- Over 8 lectures and 1.5 hours of content!
- What symbiosis is
- The categories of symbiosis
- How the lichen symbiosis actually works
- The physiological underpinnings of symbiosis
- What coral bleaching is and why not to worry about it much
- The selective forces operating to enforce or disrupt symbiosis
- How mutualism and parasitism evolves
What is the target audience?
- Undergraduate students looking for an introduction to symbiosis
- Graduate students and professionals looking for a brush-up on symbiosis
- Anyone who is curious to know more!
