A primer on symbiosis

  This course provides a brief introduction to the phenomenon of symbiosis, which is multiple organisms living together in an intimate relationship. Symbiosis can include symbiotic organisms, like lichens, but also including complex ecological association, as in microbial mat communities, and the extraordinarily diverse associations between individuals and various microbial communities, as in the intestine, skin and genitals. An understanding of the broad phenomenon of 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! 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have access to the course materials?

You can view and review the lecture materials indefinitely, like an on-demand channel.

Can I take my courses with me wherever I go?

Definitely! If you have an internet connection, courses on Udemy are available on any device at any time. If you don’t have an internet connection, some instructors also let their students download course lectures. That’s up to the instructor though, so make sure you get on their good side!