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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
1,791 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

DS

Aug 14, 2021

I really liked this course, the professor was engaging, clear, and informative, and did a great job explaining and simplifying the more complex biology topics so that it was digestible for beginners.

RV

Dec 12, 2016

Love the clarity of the instructors deliver which is supported by great explanations and most importantly visual aids & demonstrations. Ps... Especially loved the bloopers at the end. Nice treat! :)

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201 - 225 of 519 Reviews for Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows

By Cynara F B

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Oct 28, 2017

Excellent course! But it was not easy, I had to study a lot because my background was in civil engineering.

Thank you, professor!

By Dr S J

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May 16, 2021

I enjoyed the clarity and enthusiasm with which the course was taught. would love to learn more may be at the end of this year.

By Renata d O A

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May 16, 2019

Love it and I'd recomend this course to people I know. Now I'm gonna do the second part.

Thank coursera and Professor Chamovitz

By Andrés S

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Aug 11, 2017

Really interestint course to discover and understand a lot of things on plants and their similarities or not to animals/humans.

By Deleted A

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Jan 25, 2021

Outstanding Course. Professor Daniel is an outstanding tutor and Presenter. I have an all new respect for what a plant knows

By MOHAMED M P

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Oct 16, 2020

I really enjoyed learning about the sensory world of plants and cell and it provide us with good foundations in this subject

By Ashley J S

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Mar 7, 2020

Really good course, better than I wa expecting. Professor was easy to understand and made the subject even more interesting.

By Godineau E

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Feb 26, 2017

A very interestinf course, well documented and explained by Dr. Chamowitz ! I highly recommend this course, I learnt a lot !

By Ricardo M

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May 1, 2020

Great course, really changed my view on how plants are affected by their environment and how they are able to react to it.

By Fedir C

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Aug 2, 2023

Very easy and in the mean time deep enough to understand the basics in such a small period of time. Good course to learn.

By Dr. S B S

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Jul 10, 2020

I was really exited to learn the subject through the way he taught us. He really made us to understand the plant feelings

By Silvia G

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May 18, 2020

i highly recommend this great and interesting course!

The professor explains the arguments in a clear and stimulating way.

By Lucas C

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Jun 18, 2021

Words cant describe how much I enjoyed this course. I would travel halfway around the world just to shake this mans hand

By L D

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Feb 3, 2022

Daniel Chamovitz is an awesome educator and communicator - this course has revolutionised the way I think about plants!

By Craig F

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Apr 29, 2018

This was an original and creative way of learning about plants! The instructor is enthusiastic and obviously an expert.

By Jean P G

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Jun 7, 2020

I am pleasantly impressed with the quality of this course, it gave me great knowledge and I really enjoyed the calsess

By Tânia G M

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Jan 7, 2018

It was a very interesting course and after finished it I really want to learn more and more about plants.

Thanks a lot!

By Rinsha S

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Oct 25, 2020

Helpfull and well clarification about each process is explained .make me more interested in studying about plants🌿🌿

By ANJU C

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Aug 4, 2020

This is one of the best course. The topic is very simple and no need worry about it. The presentation was superb....

By Temitayo C

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Apr 30, 2020

One of the best courses I have ever undertaken. The knowledge and teaching style of prof. Chamovitz is awesome.

Thanks

By Debasish P

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May 6, 2018

I am very happy to complete this course. I am looking for more courses from Professor Dr. Daneil Chamovitz in future.

By TEY W H

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Aug 9, 2017

Great Lecturer and good content! plus it is really fun to hear and watch the videos. Thank you for making this course

By Jo I M

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Dec 15, 2021

It was very enlightning and didactic. Some of the videos could do with an update, but all in all a great experience.

By Danise G R

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Nov 9, 2020

I've acquired great knowledge about plants! Thank you so much for a wonderful priviledge! you have great instructor!

By mariaschlatter@yahoo.co.uk

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May 24, 2021

Great, enthusiastically and clearly presented course! So many amazing aha moments and takeaways! Really enjoyed it!