Deep Time: Discovering an Ancient Earth
Ever since our ancestors ventured onto the African savanna, human beings have searched, explored, and wondered about the world. Nowadays, and certainly for most, science is the vehicle that takes us along a path towards understanding nature. It can bring us from sub-atomic realms to the most distant galaxies. Largely through the discipline of geology, science allows us to push back the mists of time and peer into a past measured in billions of years, and aptly referred to as “Deep Time.” Climb on board!
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- Level Foundation
- Duration 10 hours
- Course by University of Colorado Boulder
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Offered by
About
Ever since our ancestors ventured onto the African savanna, human beings have searched, explored, and wondered about the world. Nowadays, and certainly for most, science is the vehicle that takes us along a path towards understanding nature. It can bring us from sub-atomic realms to the most distant galaxies. Largely through the discipline of geology, science allows us to push back the mists of time and peer into a past measured in billions of years, and aptly referred to as “Deep Time.” Climb on board! This is a journey of discovery—we'll learn about the origins of science and geology itself, to our planet’s oceans, atmosphere, and crust. The focus then turns to how geologists have probed the rise and fall of the Rocky Mountains, and we conclude by considering not only the power of science but also acknowledging its inherent price and responsibility. Certificate earners demonstrate proficiency through a few short assessments and discussion prompts and are prepared to teach or apply the material.Modules
Introduction
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1
Videos
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Introduce Yourself!
1
Videos
- Course Introduction
Videos
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5
Videos
5
Videos
- What is Science?
- One of the Big Questions - How Old?
- Birth of a Science - The Beginnings of Geology
- Discovering Deep Time
- Putting Numbers on Deep Time
Assessments
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1
Discussion
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Science and Geology in Search of Deep Time
1
Discussions
- End of Week 1
Videos
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5
Videos
5
Videos
- Origins - From Star Stuff to Planets
- The Early Earth - First Oceans, Atmosphere, and Life
- The Early Earth - Formation of Continents and Plate Tectonics
- Building North America
- Probing the Deep Crust in the Rocky Mountains
Assessments
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Origins: Stars to Planets, Continents, Oceans, and Atmospheres
Videos
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6
Videos
6
Videos
- Reading Rock Layers - A Primer on Rocks and the Rock Cycle
- Brave New World - Precambrian Ends and Modern Earth Begins
- The Great Unconformity And Phanerozoic Seas
- Field Trip to Flagstaff Mountain: Uplifted Roots of the Rockies and the Great Unconformity
- Pangea Forms and the Ancestral Rocky Mountains Rise
- Field Trip to Flagstaff Mountain: The Fountain Formation and the Ancestral Rockies
Assessments
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1
Discussion
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Seas and Ancient Mountains of North America
1
Discussions
- End of Week 3
Videos
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5
Videos
5
Videos
- Field Trip to Flagstaff Mountain: Laramide Orogeny and the Tilting of the Flatirons
- "How Many Years Must a Mountain Exist" - The Wash of Mesozoic Seas, Rocks, and Fossils
- The Rise of the Modern Rockies
- Cenozoic Extension, Uplift, and the Final Touches
- Opportunity & Responsibility: The Price of Science
Asssessments
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1
Discussion
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- The Rise of the Modern Rocky Mountains
1
Discussions
- End of Week 4
Auto Summary
Embark on an enlightening journey with "Deep Time: Discovering an Ancient Earth," a foundational course designed to unravel the mysteries of our planet's ancient past. Delve into the fascinating history of Earth, spanning billions of years, through the lens of science and geology. Led by Coursera, this immersive course invites learners to explore the origins of science and geology, examine the formation of Earth's oceans, atmosphere, and crust, and investigate the dramatic rise and fall of the Rocky Mountains. The course also encourages thoughtful reflection on the power and responsibility that comes with scientific discovery. With a duration of 600 hours, this comprehensive program includes short assessments and discussion prompts that enable certificate earners to demonstrate their proficiency. Upon completion, participants will be equipped to teach or apply the material effectively. Subscription options include Starter and Professional levels, making this course accessible to a diverse audience, from curious beginners to those seeking to deepen their scientific understanding. Join us and discover the ancient secrets of our Earth through the captivating study of "Deep Time."
Alan Lester