University of Alberta - Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds

Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds is a five-lesson, self-paced online course offered by the University of Alberta that examines the anatomy, diversity and evolution of theropod dinosaurs and their relationship to modern birds. The course includes videos, readings and graded module assessments across five lessons covering topics such as bird anatomy, Triassic-Cretaceous theropods, coelurosaurs, the "Dinosaur Renaissance", and the evolution of avian lineages.

The syllabus lists multiple short videos, readings and 1-5 assignments per module, with an estimated total completion time of about 9 hours. The course is delivered remotely on Coursera with flexible scheduling and is suitable for anyone interested in dinosaurs, evolutionary biology and paleontology.

Learners may audit content for free, or purchase the Certificate experience to access graded assignments and receive an electronic certificate. Financial aid is available to eligible learners, and the course is also included for Coursera Plus subscribers.