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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Life on Earth: Diversification and Extinctions by University of Cape Town

4.5
stars
10 ratings

About the Course

Discover the diversity of life on earth and how this biodiversity has been shaped by five mass extinction events that occurred in the distant past. Each week we interview scientists about how their research informs us about the biodiversity of our planet including the earliest life forms; fish and tetrapod diversification; the radiation of reptiles and the later domination of dinosaurs; and the rise of mammals. We focus on the five previous mass extinction events to explain this incredible story of life on earth. The fossil record reveals evidence of species that went extinct during each of these catastrophic events and the recovery thereafter when surviving biota diversified. Turning to the present and the Anthropocene period, we look at how human behaviour is negatively impacting Earth’s ecosystems. We conclude by considering the threat of the so-called ‘sixth extinction’, and we discuss ways in which we can mitigate the effects of climate change and the ‘sixth extinction”....

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1 - 5 of 5 Reviews for Life on Earth: Diversification and Extinctions

By Aris Z

Jan 15, 2026

A deep dive into the history of earth and the extinctions that occured. A lot of biodiversity, biology, geology, climate changes, evolution and fossils!

By Robert C W

Oct 17, 2025

very informative and insightful course

By PEDRO A M R

Nov 14, 2025

Interesante curso, aunque esperaba otro enfoque. Se hace mucho hincapié en temas de daños ecológicos actuales de todo tipo, acentuado en el cambio climático. Me parece bien, simplemente es que me sorprendió el peso que se le daba en el curso, que yo había entendido que tenía otros objetivos. Los vídeos, y entrevista a científicos son muy interesantes, y proporcionan un punto de vista amplio y ancho acerca de los temas abordados.

By Edwin C

Jan 22, 2026

Fue un buen curso en general, pero me gustaría que tuviera más lecturas y menos vídeos, y también más evaluaciones dentro de cada módulo.

By KEITH G

Jan 28, 2026

Great, informative, easy to follow, presented by an informed PhD working directly in the field.