This course explores the population-environment relationship. In this course, you will learn about the human population and the ways in which changes in the population affect the environment. Agriculture, soils, and the environmental implications of eating meat, vegetables, local, organic, sustainable, industrial, and other types of food are discussed too.
Population, Food, and Soil
Give your career the gift of Coursera Plus with $160 off, billed annually. Save today.
Population, Food, and Soil
This course is part of Introduction to Environmental Science Specialization
Instructor: Andy Friedland
3,072 already enrolled
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8
(36 reviews)
Beginner level
Recommended experience
15 hours to complete
3 weeks at 5 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
4 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is part of the Introduction to Environmental Science Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 4 modules in this course
This module explores the global population trends, how and why population changes, and concepts related to population numbers including growth rate, doubling time, crude birth and date rates etc.
What's included
4 videos13 readings1 assignment8 discussion prompts
This module explores the global population dynamics.
What's included
3 videos4 readings1 assignment4 discussion prompts
This module deals with the major environmental issues related to global human nutrition, some common practices of modern, industrial agriculture and the potential environmental costs associated with each practice. It also explores sustainable farming practices.
What's included
4 videos5 readings1 assignment5 discussion prompts
This module explores the role of soils in ecosystems, soil horizons, and soil-forming processes. Through a video, you will learn about the soils of a particular landscape and learn about various soil-forming processes.
What's included
4 videos5 readings1 assignment6 discussion prompts
Instructor
Instructor ratings
5.0 (12 ratings)Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Environmental Science and Sustainability
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo
Stanford University
University of Zurich
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
Showing 3 of 36
4.8
36 reviews
- 5 stars
86.11%
- 4 stars
11.11%
- 3 stars
0%
- 2 stars
2.77%
- 1 star
0%
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.