Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/molecular-evolution
If you’re interested in the fascinating interplay between evolution and bioinformatics, then the course ‘Molecular Evolution (Bioinformatics IV)’ on Coursera is a must-see. This course is a part of a greater specialization and dives deep into the methods of constructing evolutionary trees that help us understand the evolution of various organisms, particularly in the context of adoption in scientific research.
Course Overview
In this course, participants engage with vital biological questions that underscore the importance of evolutionary biology and bioinformatics. The first half of the course is dedicated to discussing renowned approaches for evolutionary tree construction, which is pivotal in resolving significant scientific quandaries such as tracing the origins of viruses or deciphering evolutionary relationships among species.
Syllabus Breakdown
– Week 1: Introduction to Evolutionary Tree Construction
The course kicks off by introducing the concept of evolutionary trees. Students will ponder questions such as, “Which animal gave us SARS?” and explore computational methods to tackle such critical inquiries.
– Weeks 2-3: Advanced Algorithms for Tree Construction
Participants will be introduced to algorithms, including the neighbor-joining method, which has made waves in scientific literature due to its effectiveness in tree construction from distance matrices.
– Weeks 4-5: Evolutionary Evidence Analyses
A highlight of the course centers on examining the relationship between birds and dinosaurs. These weeks challenge students to assimilate molecular evidence and statistics to investigate complex evolutionary questions.
– Week 6: Bioinformatics Application Challenge
The final week is an exciting application of learned concepts through a challenge that requires reconstructing an evolutionary tree for ebolaviruses, thus applying knowledge to uncover the pathogen’s origin from recent outbreaks in Africa.
Visual Learning
Adding creativity to the learning journey, each chapter features insightful illustrations by the artist Randall Christopher that visually summarize key concepts and entice engagement with the material.
Who Should Take This Course
Whether you’re a budding scientist, a seasoned researcher, or just someone with a passion for learning, this course is designed to spark curiosity and deepen your understanding of molecular evolution and bioinformatics. It provides the tools needed to think critically about the relationships in the tree of life.
Final Recommendation
Overall, ‘Molecular Evolution (Bioinformatics IV)’ on Coursera is a robust course that not only enriches your knowledge of evolutionary biology but also equips you with essential bioinformatics skills to address pertinent questions in modern science. As we face ongoing challenges from viruses and our ever-evolving understanding of organisms, this course becomes increasingly relevant. Dive in and discover the connection between bioinformatics and the history of life itself!
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/molecular-evolution