Mountains 101

Mountains 101 is the University of Alberta's interdisciplinary introduction to the mountain world, looking at the physical, biological and human sides of mountain places in Alberta and around the globe. Twelve lessons run from why mountains matter, through their geological origins, climate, how the human body copes at altitude, mountains as water towers, glaciers, mountains in the imagination, and hazards, to plant and animal adaptations, use and preservation, and what mountains face in a warming climate. Each lesson ends with a Tech Tip on staying safe in alpine terrain, such as choosing footwear or reading avalanche risk, and lessons are filmed in the field, in museums and labs and at alpine huts.

Coursera estimates the lessons at one to two hours each and lists two weeks at ten hours a week on a flexible timetable; no level is stated. The course is flagged as free, so every lesson is accessible without paying. A shareable certificate is offered for a fee that the page does not state, and financial aid is listed.