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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Ecology: Ecosystem Dynamics and Conservation by American Museum of Natural History

4.8
stars
3,148 ratings

About the Course

This course is an introduction to ecology and ecosystem dynamics using a systems thinking lens. Through a case study on Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, learners will explore how scientists study ecosystems, and investigate the complex array of factors that inform management efforts. At the end of the course, learners will be able to grapple with real-world conservation questions, such as whether an ecosystem can recover from anthropogenic disruption and what role humans can, and should, play in that recovery....

Top reviews

AJ

Jun 1, 2019

This was particularly in-depth on the sciences of ecology, and having it based around a particular conservation project made it easier to follow each progressive lecture and concept that was explored.

YC

Jan 3, 2021

One of the best course, I have ever taken. The materials is not hard to follow and the in-depth explanation gives you a proper new perspective which is still open to debate due to conservation topic

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26 - 50 of 851 Reviews for Ecology: Ecosystem Dynamics and Conservation

By Yogi H C

Jan 4, 2021

One of the best course, I have ever taken. The materials is not hard to follow and the in-depth explanation gives you a proper new perspective which is still open to debate due to conservation topic

By Azajul I N

Apr 4, 2020

Wow. Just awesome. This course is fantastic. In a word, I will tell that the content of this course was beyond my expectations. Keep it up.

By Stefanie M

Jun 20, 2020

Very interesting course, if it was just for the content, I'd give it 5 stars, however the estimated time needed to complete reading the essays (and therefore the course) was in my opinion way too low. they estimated 10 minutes for each essays even though some were longer than others and it usally took me at least the double amount of time to complete the essays. However, I do not think that the essays were too long, just that they should adjust the estimated time so that users can prepare and organize themselves better :)

By Alexandra B

Jul 15, 2020

There is a lot of really great information, but far too much is reading rather than lecture related. I would much rather see heavy lecture domination provided by professors and field experts on Coursera than reading domination which is acquired by a Google search.

By Kamrul H S

May 8, 2020

Moderate. I t would be better if the each video includes 3-5 minutes with pdf lecture sheet. More modelling approach i.e. GPS, GIS & their use should be included.

By Move P

May 31, 2021

“To tackle a very big problem, like climate change, we need to understand things systematically and fundamentally.” It just came into my mind after thinking about this huge problem. Today I’ve collected a dot as to ecology and learnt how it connects to other areas. My first expectation of learning ecology was that I wanted to understand the climate change problem through the lens of ecologists. I hoped to get into the roots of environmental issues and to acquire new knowledge that helps me pave the way for my dissertation in computer engineering. You know what? I think I got much more than I expected. Despite the very well constructed content, I got inspiration from the course instructors, especially Dr Corina Tarnita from Princeton University, who uses mathematical modeling to explain natural phenomena, such as population growth and patterns of trees growing in the forest. It’s fantastic to see the role of interdisciplinary and of course mathematics everywhere. This course, Ecology: Ecosystem Dynamics and Conservation, gave me a whole picture of the ecosystem in multiple perspectives, including biology, economy, and society. I learnt how to think systematically not only about the tip of the iceberg. I really enjoyed the course and learnt a lot! However, there are many steps to go and to learn. Thank you Coursera, American Museum of Natural History, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute for providing such a great MOOC for everyone

By Trisha G

May 31, 2020

Best course I have found in Coursera that is very intresting in learning and easily understand able. Enjoyed the course

By Linda A

Apr 15, 2020

A wonderful course driven by excelent ecologist, makes you to re-think everything you know about our world

By THARUN S C

Apr 17, 2020

THE COURSE WAS WONDERFULL, IT WAS USEFUL

By Megan A

May 11, 2020

I came into this class with a BS in Ecology and was expecting something a bit more intensive for a class designated as intermediate. Many of the lessons taught basic ecology, but functioned as a great reminders. However, the integration of the Gorongosa Park and the studies from there were amazing. Anytime you can receive more examples of science in action the better. The included extra sources are helpful for one that is looking to expand their learning beyond the lessons given on the coursera course. I will continue to take the free courses to expand my learning during the stay at home orders. Thank you.

By Anne B

Oct 21, 2020

I really enjoyed this course, and thought the topics covered were diverse but cohesive. In hindsight, I would have taken some intro to biology or ecology courses, in order to better understand the terminology or mathematics, which could be overwhelming at times. I love the additional links to HHMI Interactive. What a great website and source for further knowledge and education. And some of the quizzes attached to the HHMI videos were helpful to dig deeper into what I should be understanding and learning from the information presented.

By Emma T C

Jun 22, 2020

I found this course a little too easy (the quizzes were pretty simple, usually taken word-for-word from the videos or readings). But I think it was great anyways! I really enjoyed the real world examples used to demonstrate concepts. The materials (the videos and readings) were all put together really well, and this offered a pretty cohesive overview of the basic concepts of ecology and conservation. I really enjoyed the course overall.

By Jelle G

Jun 11, 2020

Hello, i think this course was in-depth enough to provide a good amount of details regarding the case study of Gorongosa national park while also providing the necessary background information needed to fully understand its ecological concepts. I think the course is well put together and alternates concise essays with relevant lectures which makes it more diverse. Thank you, greetings from the Netherlands

By Eleanor K

May 26, 2020

This is a well organized course that utilizes multiple instruction methods to give the learner a clear understanding of the nuances of ecology and conservation. Unfortunately this course didn't dive nearly in depth as a even a week in a high school AP Biology course. For this reason I recommend this course to people looking for only an intermediate exposure to ecological science.

By Reema S

Aug 9, 2020

A very well oriented course with its Lecture, Reading material, and Videos on various habitat. I felt like I am in a live session. course was designed in a simple way so that it can be easy for a beginner too. Ecological conservation concepts are very well mentioned. A must course anyone wants an add on in their knowledge of Ecology.

By Pedro M P

Sep 2, 2018

Would have liked to have the opportunity to consolidate the concepts and skills mentioned in the course through an integrated assignment or capstone-like project. The content is very well organized and is a great vehicle to update one's ecosystem and conservation ecology thinking. Thank you to all the lecturers.

By Coolbreezed

May 29, 2020

I think it was a good course. Not particularly a fan of Dr. Pringle's lectures as I can sense that hes not fully comfortable with presenting in front of a group of people but the guy is human. Would recommend for anyone who is considering a career in Ecology. You will see what this domain is all about.

By prajnyan s

Jun 14, 2020

This course is pretty good as it moves away from the textbook definitions and adapts a practical approach on the conservation measures and techniques using real examples thereby enabling the students to develop hypothesis and innovate new conservation techiques.

By vignesh d

Apr 13, 2020

It was quite helpful. Understanding our ecosystem. Great course to learn about ecosystem

By Jithin J

May 9, 2020

A well structured introductory course to ecology and concepts of conservation.

By Syed A I

Apr 26, 2019

Thank you very much for teaching this course.

By Ehsan S

May 21, 2020

The course content is very valuable and you will definitely receive lots of useful information on the ecosystem and of course learn a lot! However, the course materials are poorly organized for online learning purposes. At first, there are lots of reading materials (instead of the lecture) which are very similar to textbooks. These reading materials have a poor connection to the series of lectures which are interesting but they were not recorded for online learning purposes. The lectures are videos from a summer school.

By Michelle V

Jul 19, 2020

I thoroughly enjoyed this high-quality course! Week by week, I gained a greater appreciation of the importance of ecology and conservation – not only for targeted individual species but for the interactive balance of whole ecosystems. I learned not only what was being studied within the vast field of ecology but also how it was being studied, including field experiments and mathematical modelling. It was exciting to be taken along for the ride and see the research unfold with new data. The relations between termite behaviour, mathematical patterns in landscapes and their effects on the rest of the ecosystem are mind-blowing.

Be aware that the readings take quite a bit longer than 10 minutes, and there is occasionally some overlap between an article and a video. I was slightly disappointed that my good questions (in my opinion) on the discussion forum barely got answers, but perhaps they are yet to come. I do highly recommend checking out the further resources provided.

By My-Linh N

Jul 29, 2021

The material in this course from Dr Pringle and Dr Tarnita was very engaging and informative. I liked that they explained their methods and worked through their hypotheses using data, analysis and experiment to show that what seems like a messy and complicated system can be understood systematically. My only disappointment with the course was to hear how destructive modern crop production, deforestation and fossil fuel burning to our planet is while hearing no mention of the impacts of intensive animal agriculture on our ecosystems. The impacts of intensive animal agriculture on our greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution, deforestation and land and water use are significant and this course feels incomplete without a mention to it. This course that will likely be taken by many students who are passionate about the environment and so it would be a great opportunity to encourage individual action such as the adoption of a more plant-based lifestyle.

By Rahul S

Jul 27, 2020

Marvelous, Fantastic, and Amazing experience of being a part of this online course. As I am already post- graduate in Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Conservation from India. So I was aware of the basics of this course but the learning part was of implementation of those concepts in the actual world. Yes, We as a Biodiversity Conservationist should always think for sustainable approaches and affect less to nature.

Now about the content of this online course was really insightful and also the upgraded research studies I got to know here. All respected scientists, lecturers, professors, field workers as well conservationists were amazing, humble, kind, very nice in delivering and explaining the content. I really enjoyed taking this course.

Keep on organizing such great free online courses and aware more about such concepts to conserve world biodiversity. Thank you all.