EdX, Cornell University, and University of Queensland to Offer First Shark-Focused Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

Sharks! Global Biodiversity, Biology, and Conservation will begin on June 28 during the annual Discovery Channel Shark Week (June 26 - July 3). A first-of-its-kind collaboration between Cornell University and University of Queensland, Sharks! delivers biological insights from renowned scientists.

Sharks! offers a deep dive into the secret lives of these incredible sea creatures, giving learners the chance to track movements of a wild shark, observe shark habitats and behavior, and dig deep into the fossil record.

According to William Bemis, Cornell Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and co-instructor of the online course, new research and technologies are making significant improvements to the way in which scientists study and understand sharks.

"An explosion of new research and technologies, such as satellite tagging and CT scanning, are helping researchers advance our knowledge of sharks at an unprecedented rate," Professor Bemis said. "The technology has been integrated so much that you can now follow some sharks on Twitter."

The free and open online course provides a unique opportunity for learners from around the world to hear from global shark experts and to better understand shark evolution.

"Working in partnership with Cornell University professors, we present the latest in shark science to educate on what is largely a misunderstood or misrepresented species," UQ Associate Professor of Biology and course co-instructor Ian Tibbetts said. "Given the news hype about shark sightings, you'd be forgiven for thinking that shark populations are on the increase, but in actual fact some shark populations are declining, and likely destined for extinction."

While public interest in sharks continues to rise, many people lack a full understanding of these diverse species. Taking a scientific approach, the MOOC will help learners see shark biology in a different way and assess whether they truly are creatures to fear.

"The edX mission is to increase access to high-quality education for learners everywhere," said Anant Agarwal, edX CEO and MIT Professor. "I'm delighted that our partners Cornell University and University of Queensland are teaming up to offer edX learners a comprehensive look at sharks and the science and people driving new discoveries."

Learners everywhere are encouraged to join UQ and Cornell on edX to track sharks, observe behavior, and consider what can be done to help them thrive. More course information is available at: http://www.edx.org/sharks.

For even more Shark Week celebrations and fun facts, visit the edX blog, and on Twitter (@edXonline) and Facebook.com/edX.

About edX
EdX is a nonprofit, open-source learning destination offering online courses from more than 100 member institutions, composed of both leading global universities, and colleges and a diverse group of prominent organizations from around the world. Founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and based in Cambridge, MA, USA, edX is focused on transforming online and classroom learning through groundbreaking methodologies, game-like educational experiences and cutting-edge research on an open-source platform.

About Cornell University
Cornell is a private, Ivy League university and the land-grant university for New York State. Cornell's mission is to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge; produce creative work; and promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community. Cornell also aims, through public service, to enhance the lives and livelihoods of students, the people of New York, and others around the world.

About University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) located in Brisbane, Australia, is one of the world's premier teaching and research institutions. UQ's mission is to positively influence society by engaging in the pursuit of excellence through the creation, preservation, transfer and application of knowledge. UQ helps shape the future by bringing together and developing leaders in their fields to inspire the next generation and to advance ideas that benefit the world.

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