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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Introduction to Algae by University of California San Diego

4.7
stars
1,197 ratings

About the Course

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....

Top reviews

MK

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this is cool, i wish could open an edible macroalgae oil extraction factory as my vision is to open a strat-up, thank you coursera and all the instructor for brought the course for free.

FK

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The course provided my first babysteps into the world of kelps/seaweed & was very interesting. However I would have loved to see a more clear split between micro & macroalgae.

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276 - 300 of 341 Reviews for Introduction to Algae

By Joel S

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Jul 21, 2021

I found the course very interesting with much information I had never been acquainted with in the past or even knew of its existence. I have a comment, though, about the structure. Many of the slides had information /data that I assume were copied as pdf's or other photos. The information within those was too small or too low resolution to read even with full screen. And in some cases the data on the screen was obstructed by the lecturer standing in front of the posted data.

By colin w

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Jul 15, 2020

Great introduction to algae and their uses. Focus is heavily on microalgae and producing algae for use as an oil, bio-fuel and in bio-products but also gives a good overview of macroalgae (seaweed) and how they grow and develop too. Would recommend to anyone with an interest in either microalgae as a bio-product and macroalgae as an aquaculture product for food and other appplications.

By Harald S

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Jun 24, 2018

The content at large excellent but but most of the diagrams were not in focus therefore justimpossible to read/follow/understand ( had to use other sources ) The textmass connected could just have some corresponding time notes..thus easier to follow.. As such quite a few questions came to be exlpained ..in good way Many many thanks to you all

By Enos N

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Mar 4, 2020

I was taking this course because I want to learn more about macroalgae cultivation. So it was not what I expected. But the course talk more about microalgae cultivation (industry), which at some point is inaccessible to more traditional community who can't afford high capital to start with.

But overall, it was a good introduction course.

By Panos F

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Jun 7, 2021

A very interesting course that covers all algae basics, from their structure to their ecology and biotechnology. The lecturers were experts in the field and gave a lot of data and sources to support their claims, which really helped in understanding. Overall a really good course for anyone looking to know more about algae.

By Annie G

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Feb 23, 2022

Good introduction, really gets you interested for more! Could use better made presentations, visually. Not necessarily prettier, but clearer in the sense of not having a bunch of text while someone is talking, perhaps showing one part at the time, etc. But I understand it's still just introductory!

By Marion L

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Aug 17, 2022

Very interesting and clear. I was more interested by the beginning of the course about algae biology than the biomanufacturing and industrial uses aspects however the teachers made it really interesting too and I got caught up and learned a lot more. I very much recommend this course !

By Nicolas D

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Apr 14, 2020

The course is rather well done and teaches a lot. It's a big eye opener on algae but on plants as well. The only part I didn't like at all was the bio-manufacturing one which felt like a marketing presentation more than explaining actual processes (including even some FUDs).

By Nicole R

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Dec 3, 2021

i really enjoyed course i enjoy learning and continue to adaptable open minded keep learning keep looking different ways to do things helpful in problem solving to resolve things & learn from mistakesi may make take responsibility move forward positively as possible

By Claudia C V T

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Jun 28, 2020

Excelente material, tal y como lo dice, es material introductorio, por lo que si alguno desea venir en busca de información profunda, no la encontrará aquí. Un poco de todo y sobre todo, aplicación de la información. Excelentes explicaciones y planteamiento.

By Dominica Q

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May 28, 2020

I enjoyed the course, i liked the quality of the questions and the power point presentations used.

What I didn't really like was that every lecture was given by a different proffesor... anyway, I had a good experience and learned many new things :)

By Shrihari N

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Mar 30, 2020

Great Introductory course! However, I would have liked to better understand the challenges in bringing algae derived biofuels to the market, and more details about other applications of algae, such as wastewater treatment, Hydrogen production etc.

By Alisa V

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Aug 18, 2019

This was really a great in-depth introduction to algae! The modules were very well structured and assignments tested the understanding of important concepts. Also very manageable for those people working full-time jobs! Really enjoyed it!

By yogita g

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Sep 9, 2020

exceptional introduction I must say. I am an BS Aquaculture from URI and an oyster hatchery manager and was more than satisfied with the curriculum and the expertise of the speakers. I would greatly encourage a follow-up course.

By Simran P

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Jul 26, 2022

I just finished my first year of undergraduate biology, so this course was a great way to recap key biological concepts. But unlike university, this course taught me the concepts in a real-world applied context which was great!

By David D R

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Oct 24, 2018

Excellent overview. Needs some editing for minor errors. Some questions need to be redesigned since many forms of answers could be correct, e.g. energy source for photosynthesis could be light, sunlight, photons, etc.

By Ahmed A

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Apr 19, 2022

Excellent course but one suggestion if possible to consider.

It could be quite beneficial to add animations to aid the receiver to understand and visualize the ideas being discussed.

By Frederik D K

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Apr 19, 2021

The course provided my first babysteps into the world of kelps/seaweed & was very interesting. However I would have loved to see a more clear split between micro & macroalgae.

By Vanitha.K

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Nov 18, 2020

It is very good to have additional course like this which makes us even more informative and keep us on learning.

Good to know about this course its really a useful one

Thank u

By Bruno

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Jan 27, 2021

This course is worth to be attended. The quality of material and teachers is high. I suggest to update/add some parts relevant to latest industrial applications.

By Maria A P

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Aug 27, 2024

Basic and interesting course. By the end of the course, it is oriented to only a kind of products. I would have liked it to be more diverse in that section

By Soham S G

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May 7, 2018

some lectures were pretty boring. just add a little bit of fun and excitement in the professors' voices so that to capture the attention of the students.

By Niko W

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Feb 7, 2021

Really great foundational course providing the basics required to understand the benefits and principles of algae farming and production.

By Carolina H M

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May 23, 2018

Thanks, it was a very good course, but I recommend putting additional bibliography to read and complement the information

By Sandra M

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Jun 1, 2023

It was intricate for a person not knowing that field nor an expert in the biology field in general and most interesting