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University of Alberta

Mountains 101

University of Alberta via Coursera

Overview

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Mountains 101­­ is a broad and integrated overview of the mountain world. This 12-lesson course covers an interdisciplinary field of study focusing on the physical, biological, and human dimensions of mountain places in Alberta, Canada, and around the world. Specifically, we'll study the geological origins of mountains, how they’re built-up and worn-down over time; we’ll learn about their importance for biodiversity and water cycles, globally and locally; we’ll explore their cultural significance to societies around the globe, and how that relationship has evolved over time; and we’ll learn how mountains are used, how they’re protected, and how today they’re experiencing rapid change in a warming climate.

At the end of each lesson, Mountains 101 will also provide learners with some smart tricks -- Tech Tips -- to safely enjoy time in the high alpine environment: from how to pick the best footwear for hiking to making smart decisions in avalanche terrain.

We’ll be delivering your online lessons from valley bottoms to mountaintops, from museums and labs, to alpine huts and other spectacular alpine sites, and we’ll do so with the help of a whole host of experts.

We invite you to join us for this online adventure! The mountains are calling...

Syllabus

  • Lesson 1: Why Mountains Matter
    • In this introductory lesson, you will learn why mountain environments are relevant to people all around the globe. We’ll also define just what a “mountain” is in order to show why it is useful to think about mountains from various perspectives. TechTip: Your feet are your vehicle
  • Lesson 2: Origins
    • In Lesson 2, we discuss why mountains are located where they are. How did they get there? We’ll explore the physical origins of mountains, theories of mountain building, and how our changing ideas about mountains and their genesis have shaped our engagement with them. TechTip: Dress for success
  • Lesson 3: Climate
    • Mountains influence climate and weather at both global and local scales. In Lesson 3, we will examine how elevation affects atmospheric processes, and discuss an ecological manifestation of mountain climate: the alpine tree line. TechTip: What goes in your pack?
  • Lesson 4: Bodies at Altitude
    • Lesson 4 explores some of the physiological responses that allow humans to visit higher altitudes, as well as the unique genetic adaptations that permit long-time exposure to the world’s high places. TechTip: Stay found – preparation
  • Lesson 5: Water Towers
    • Lesson 5 focuses on mountain hydrology. We'll discuss the ways that water moves through the mountain landscape, how water shapes and changes mountain landscapes, and we'll introduce some hazards associated with water, such as glacial lake outburst floods. TechTip: Stay found – in the field
  • Lesson 6: Glaciers
    • Lesson 6 focuses exclusively on glaciers, their physical composition and processes, how they form and move, and how they modify the landscape. We’ll also examine how our changing understandings of glaciers have shaped the ways people have engaged with mountain landscapes over the past few centuries. TechTip: Stay safe – from falling
  • Lesson 7: Imagination
    • In Lesson 7, we examine some of the ways people have imagined mountains throughout time, and try to place those ideas and attitudes in their respective cultural contexts. Appreciating the diversity of views – their reception in oral traditions, art, literature, architecture, and other cultural forms – gives us some context for the more dominant ways we think about and celebrate mountains today. TechTip: Stay safe – winter challenges
  • Lesson 8: Hazards
    • Mountain hazards are the focus of Lesson 8, specifically snow avalanches, landslides, and volcanoes. We will examine the physical processes that lead to instability in mountain landscapes and consider how risks associated with hazards can be managed. TechTip: Stay safe – avalanche safety (know before you go)
  • Lesson 9: Mountain Biodiversity and Adaptations of Plants
    • In this Lesson 9, we discuss the ecological and evolutionary processes that account for the remarkable biodiversity of species living in mountain environments. Then, we explore some of the unique adaptations that plants have for coping with extreme conditions, including cold, intense solar radiation, and short growing seasons. TechTip: Go farther – camping
  • Lesson 10: Animal Adaptations
    • Animals living in mountains have evolved morphological, behavioural, and physiological adaptations to survive under extreme conditions. In Lesson 10, we will focus on how several species deal with the cold and conclude with a peek at the adaptations of fish living in mountain lakes. TechTip: Go farther – cooking
  • Lesson 11: Use and Preservation
    • How are mountains used? How are they preserved? In Lesson 11, we examine the often conflicting demands of using mountains, and preserving and managing the integrity of mountain environments, cultures and economies. TechTip: Go softly – mountain ethics
  • Lesson 12: Future Mountains
    • In Lesson 12, we will look forward and consider some possible future scenarios for mountains. How is our changing climate affecting these places? What are the indicators of change? What lessons can we learn from the past and present to inform decisions for tomorrow?

Taught by

Zac Robinson and David Hik

Reviews

4.9 rating, based on 615 Class Central reviews

4.9 rating at Coursera based on 2473 ratings

Start your review of Mountains 101

  • If you enjoy the great outdoors, stunning scenery or learning about a variety of plants, animals and geological processes, this course could be for you! Not only does it explain how mountains are formed and degraded, it also teaches us about glacier…
  • Anonymous
    (Much of this review has already been published at the Institute for Mountain Research's site, mountainresearch.org.) Mountains 101 is a great introduction to the growing young field of mountain studies by one of the best academic programs. True to…
  • This course is fantastic: - It has passionate instructors: thank you, David and Zac! - It has a fascinating subject: I'll see mountains differently from now on. - It's beautifully produced: well edited, nice music, crisp sound, beautiful image.…
  • A great class! I got the recommendation for this class from the Class Central cohort initiative! I am glad I joined this class and completed it. Well, this is one of those classes that I will keep visiting again and again and certainly keep learnin…
  • Beautiful course giving you a multidisciplinary view of mountains.

    Very well worked out lectures with fine video, infographics, explaining concepts, intermittent quizzes, and more.

    The weekly assignments are of the right level of difficulty, you need some thinking/studying to come to the right answers but you will succeed I you studied the material well.

    I had the opportunity to do the course in a Class Central organised study group, with weekly scheduled lectures, a rich discussion forum and live sessions with the instructors. I hope Class Central will continue providing these extras, these are extra motivators for the course and enrich the learning experience significantly.
  • Anonymous
    This is the single best MOOC I've ever taken. The instructors and those behind the scenes put in mind boggling amounts of effort in order to source inspirational and engaging images and videos of mountains, to design interactive and unique assessmen…
  • Profile image for John Webb
    John Webb
    The Mountains 101 Course was most interesting and thoroughly enjoyable! Many thanks to Profs. David Hik and Zac Robinson and their expert guest interviews for presenting their vast knowledge and expertise in this critically important subject. As a University of Alberta alumnus now living in Northern California and still enjoying hiking in the mountains, thank you so much for this wonderful learning opportunity!

    John Webb
  • I will not complain and fully welcome any assessment that this is one of the best, if not the best, MOOCs in existence. I am simply in awe of the subject matter, the presentation of the material, and the heartfelt dedication that obviously went into…
  • Anonymous
    Wow. I loved this course. I learned so much about mountains and glaciers and watersheds and climate change and I learned about the "Paris Agreement". I live in BC, Canada, and now when I read the news about the mountains and glacier melt, and floods, I understand the news much more in depth. The best Profs, Teachers, and Experts in the field, and this was free. Amazing. Thank you so much !
  • Anonymous
    A great course , that will make you fall in love with the mountains and learn about the history, importance, how to enjoy it and how to protect it .
    A mix of history , engineering, geology, ecology that will be a great add to your knowledge.
  • Very well planned and fascinating course. While the curriculum only covered the tip of the iceberg as a 101 class, it was enough to get me interested in certain subjects to go research them on my own. I like that the course had a section of Suggested Reading in the notes, it was nice to be able to have a direction to go when I wanted to do additional reading on the different subjects. Great course, had a lot of curriculum that I was pleasantly surprised to see! Also as an added bonus, the videos were gorgeous: lots of beautiful mountain landscapes. Made it very enjoyable to watch!
  • Jennifer Lomas
    Interesting course that’s well organized and presents a breadth and depth of information. The beautiful images and videos also inspired me to continue making exploring the mountains a priority!
  • Anonymous
    comprehensive, well-narrated, well-structured. I already took the liberty of recommending it to others. Thanks again and well-done!
  • Anonymous
    A very well instructed course with clear learning objectives before each module and nicely paced information. The course begins with a module on why mountains matter and then builds upon that, looking at may aspects including their cultural, recr…
  • Anonymous
    I want to start out saying I loathe science. Science, mathematics and I have a hate, hate relationship with each other. Regardless, I decided to give this a try. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it until I reached the section conc…
  • Unparalled breadth for a MOOC. Loved the onlea mountain finding tool. A very well put-together course. Top 3 of all time MOOCs
  • Volkert De Villeneuve
    This is such a fun course. It's rich in content, approaching the topic of mountains from many different perspectives. The visuals are absolutely stunning, and a lot of effort went into bringing up views from a great amount of experts whose passion f…
  • Anonymous
    I absolutely loved Mountains 101. I enjoyed each and every lesson - the depth and diversity of topics related to mountains as well as the up-to-date information and perspective. I appreciated the profession and interesting presentation of each lesso…
  • Anonymous
    I love the mountains - always have. Finding out more about what makes them so unique has been a great journey, and Mountains 101 was a very large step in that journey. Well presented, well researched and just a great way to continue my life long learning
  • Anonymous
    An excellent and engaging online course! As a mountain-lover and avid trekker, this was a great way to learn more about all the different aspects of mountains - from history and culture to geography and biology. I really liked the presentation format and also the pop quizzes, tech tips and interactive maps.

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