Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/biologyconcept
The Coursera course titled 《生物学概念与途径》, created and led by the distinguished Professor Rao Yi at Peking University, offers an in-depth exploration of fundamental biological concepts and the pathways that have shaped modern biology. Designed for both undergraduate and graduate students, this course emphasizes understanding how key biological ideas emerged historically and how experimental pathways solve complex biological problems.
What sets this course apart is its engaging approach to scientific history and methodology. Through detailed case studies—including Mendel’s genetics paper of 1866, Morgan’s fruit fly research in 1910, and the elucidation of DNA as genetic material in 1944—the course reveals the process of scientific discovery and reasoning.
The curriculum features contributions from top-tier scientists across disciplines, including physics, chemistry, and biology, such as Professors Tang Chao, Xie Xiaoliang, Wang Xiaodong, He Chuan, Shi Yigong, Deng Xingwang, Gu Hongya, among others. Their multidisciplinary perspectives highlight the importance of quantitative analysis, chemical-biological intersections, structural biology, and cutting-edge agricultural biotech.
Major modules include the history of genetics, the chromosomal theory of inheritance, DNA as the carrier of genetic information, cell interaction mechanisms, gene regulation in development (such as homeobox genes), and current advances like neural processing and brain science. The course emphasizes critical thinking, scientific methodology, and fostering a scientific mindset.
I highly recommend this course for anyone interested in understanding biological science from a historic, conceptual, and practical perspective. It provides a solid foundation for future scientific exploration and an appreciation of how interdisciplinary approaches drive discovery in biology.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/biologyconcept