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Back to Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows by Tel Aviv University

4.8
stars
1,924 ratings

About the Course

For centuries we have collectively marveled at plant diversity and form—from Charles Darwin’s early fascination with stems and flowers to Seymour Krelborn’s distorted doting in Little Shop of Horrors. This course intends to present an intriguing and scientifically valid look at how plants themselves experience the world—from the colors they see to the sensations they feel. Highlighting the latest research in genetics and more, we will delve into the inner lives of plants and draw parallels with the human senses to reveal that we have much more in common with sunflowers and oak trees than we may realize. We’ll learn how plants know up from down, how they know when a neighbor has been infested by a group of hungry beetles, and whether they appreciate the music you’ve been playing for them or if they’re just deaf to the sounds around them. We’ll explore definitions of memory and consciousness as they relate to plants in asking whether we can say that plants might even be aware of their surroundings. This highly interdisciplinary course meshes historical studies with cutting edge modern research and will be relevant to all humans who seek their place in nature. This class has three main goals: 1. To introduce you to basic plant biology by exploring plant senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste, balance). 2. To introduce you to biological research and the scientific method. 3. To get the student to question life in general and what defines us as humans. Once you've taken this course, if you are interested in a more in-depth study of plants, check out my follow-up course, Fundamentals of Plant Biology (https://www.coursera.org/learn/plant-biology/home/welcome). In order to receive academic credit for this course you must successfully pass the academic exam on campus. For information on how to register for the academic exam – https://tauonline.tau.ac.il/registration Additionally, you can apply to certain degrees using the grades you received on the courses. Read more on this here – https://go.tau.ac.il/b.a/mooc-acceptance Teachers interested in teaching this course in their class rooms are invited to explore our Academic High school program here – https://tauonline.tau.ac.il/online-highschool...

Top reviews

DP

Aug 28, 2018

One of the best courses I have ever watched online. Great choice, and really great teaching. Organized stuff, I wouldn't expect something less from an Israeli University professor. Great work!

CH

Mar 14, 2021

It was very interesting to learn about research on plants and their abilities to detect and respond to a variety of stimuli and to relate that to people and our sensory experiences. Thank you!

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376 - 400 of 548 Reviews for Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows

By Javier B

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May 23, 2020

Outstanding course for basic plant biology!

By Suhail R R

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May 17, 2020

The way sir teaches this course is awesome.

By Fernanda A G

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Aug 13, 2020

Excellent course! I enjoyed it completely!

By Franek K

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May 30, 2020

It was a very good and inspiring course: )

By Roman B

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Feb 8, 2017

Simple language. Interesting. Very useful.

By William H

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Nov 21, 2020

Thorough coverage, engaging presentation.

By nakul v

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Aug 27, 2020

very insightful, know what a plant knows.

By Benjamin P

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Aug 27, 2017

Excellent Course with a great instructor!

By Bhamamani B J

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Jan 24, 2022

Good professor, exceeded the expectation

By Brody A G

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Jan 4, 2021

Awesome course with an awesome professor

By JUAN C M S

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Aug 25, 2020

excelent course and excelent Professor.

By Harika N

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Jul 1, 2021

IT WAS VERY CLEAR AND NEAT EXPLANATION

By Daniel K

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Mar 31, 2018

very interesting! I have learned a lot

By Isuru V

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Oct 30, 2024

Excellent course. Thank you Professor

By Emma J

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Jul 16, 2023

Fantastic course. Highly recommended!

By Brunet P

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Jan 8, 2020

Love it , but exam are hard for me...

By Myriam M

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Nov 16, 2022

Es excelente, atrapante y muy ameno.

By wasim a

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Jun 22, 2022

outstanding course and professor too

By smitha R

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Jul 22, 2019

well explained and the quiz was good

By Yuli P T T

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Mar 24, 2021

I liked very much. Thanks for this.

By James H

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Dec 28, 2017

awesome course and great professor!

By Jennifer E

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Nov 1, 2024

excellent instructor, thank you :)

By Rachel H

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Jun 5, 2018

Challenging and insightful course!

By shahzad b

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Feb 22, 2025

Well managed and full of concepts