Introduction
The content from this book is taken from Part 4 of the Charles Darwin, Evolution and Tropical Australia MOOC, run by CDU from 2013 -2017.
The free, open course was offered by Charles Darwin University to provide an introduction to Charles Darwin, the theory of evolution, Alfred Russel Wallace, and an overview of adaptation of tropical organisms in the Northern Territory of Australia. The course received excellent feedback and included engaging videos and innovative, interactive media. This course won Blackboard’s 2014 Exemplary Course Award and Director’s Choice for Courses with Distinction.
“This course is one of the best MOOC course designs I have seen and should be considered a model for others to follow. The materials are so relevant and engaging that it feels like you are talking with the person.” ~Blackboard Review Panel
Featuring guest appearances by:
- Harvard University’s Professor Janet Browne, Charles Darwin Scholar 2014;
- Professors Peter and Rosemary Grant, Princeton, Charles Darwin Scholars 2016; and
- Professor Daniel Dennett, Tufts University, Charles Darwin Scholar 2018.
In this resource, we explore the characteristics of the wet-dry tropical environment and how it influences the survival of organisms, focussing on local examples of evolution in the monsoonal tropics of the Northern Territory of Australia.
View the introductory video, featuring Chris Darwin.
At the end of this resource you should be able to:
- Discuss characteristics of the wet-dry tropical environment and how it influences the survival of organisms
- Examine local examples of adaptation to the environment of tropical northern Australia
