4.7
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1,070 ratings

Dr. Stephen Mayfield +1 more instructor

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Introduction to Algae

University of California San Diego

About this Course

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This course was produced by the Algae Technology Educational Consortium and UC San Diego with funding from the Algae Foundation, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Algae are an extremely diverse group of organisms that can be found in almost every ecosystem on the planet, and they play an essential role for life on earth. They are little bio-factories that use the process of photosynthesis to create chemical compounds that we can utilize for food, feed, medicine, and even energy. We’ve brought together some of foremost algae experts from industry and academia to teach you the fundamentals of algae.

This course will cover what algae are, why they are important, and why we are interested in them for both their environmental benefit, as well as their use for products. You will also explore the vast diversity of algae including the characteristics and applications of some of the main types of algae that are in commercial use today.

Later you will learn about algal ecology and how interactions with environment, including pests and predators, affect algal productivity. And finally you will examine the processes of algae bio-manufacturing including production processes, as well as some of the products, benefits, and challenges that impact our ability to make commercially viable products from algae.

Flexible deadlines

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Intermediate Level

Approx. 10 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Serbian, Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Intermediate Level

Approx. 10 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Serbian, Italian, Vietnamese, German, Russian, English, Spanish

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.69/5 (379 Ratings)

Dr. Stephen Mayfield

Professor of Molecular Biology

University of California San Diego

89,900 Learners

3 Courses

Ira "Ike" Levine

Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences

University of Southern Maine

28,282 Learners

2 Courses

Offered by

University of California San Diego

UC San Diego is an academic powerhouse and economic engine, recognized as one of the top 10 public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Innovation is central to who we are and what we do. Here, students learn that knowledge isn't just acquired in the classroom—life is their laboratory.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating98%(3,625 ratings)

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Algae Basics

This section will cover what algae are, how they've evolved, and how they've transformed our planet. We will also go over how humans have used algae throughout history.

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 42 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Algal Diversity

Algae are extremely diverse, and in this section you will learn about the main different types.

2 hours to complete

5 videos (Total 60 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz

Week

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Algal Ecology

Algae are found almost everywhere and have complex ecologies. This section covers the basics of algal ecology including some of the other organisms they interact with in nature and in industrial settings.

2 hours to complete

3 videos (Total 46 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Algae Biomanufacturing Part 1

Algae are studied because of their potential to create products using biomanufacturing. In this section, we will look at how algae is used as an industrial organisms and different examples biomanufacturing technologies.

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 50 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

Reviews

4.7

312 reviews

5 stars
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4 stars
18.24%
3 stars
2.56%
2 stars
0.73%
1 star
0.27%

TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO ALGAE

by AMOct 12, 2019

I wish there was an option that I could see the captions (the sentences that the speaker spoke) during the presentations like watching TV with the CC is on... Just a suggestion.

by EUAug 25, 2020

It's a beautifully explained intro to algae course which definitely motivates one to go further and learn more about the vast diversity of algae and the products one can get from them.

by DUApr 14, 2020

Many of the concepts delivered in the course spreads an in depth knowledge in phycology. All the topics were equally informative without repetition of the concepts.

by KRDec 14, 2021

I enjoyed learning a small amount of info on algae, you presented a lot, don't know how much I retained. It sounds very environmentally friendly and innovative!

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

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The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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Introduction to Algae

Introduction to Algae

About this Course