Why This Course Exists
From the Author
Here’s why I built Exploring Life, and what I hope it will mean for you:
Dear Learner,
In the age of AI, facts are everywhere. But understanding—real, lasting understanding—still takes a human connection. That’s why I built this course.
Exploring Life tells the entire story of life—from the birth of the universe to today—making meaningful connections across disciplines, all in a single semester. It’s not just about earning credit; it’s about seeing what biology means for you, for our species, and for the planet’s future.
The insights you’ll gain here go far beyond what most people ever learn about how nature truly works—rivaling, and often surpassing, the understanding many biology graduates leave college with.
There’s no dumbing down, no memorization for its own sake. Just clear, honest explanations, respect for your intelligence, and a journey designed to be challenging yet manageable—with plain language, helpful analogies, and a little humor along the way.
AI can give you facts. This course will help you make sense of them—and rediscover what it means to learn deeply, as a human.
— Natalia Comer
Creator of Exploring Life
From Students
Here’s how learners described their experience in Exploring Life:
Dr. O made the subjects featured in this course so relatable that what I've learned will stay with me the rest of my life.
— Victoria Rust
WVNCC Student
…a very fun and engaging course that really opened my eye and heart to the world of all living things and matter around me.
— Shilo Lippert
WVNCC Student
From Faculty
Faculty who have reviewed or taught with Exploring Life share their impressions of its impact:
This course is essentially an explanation of why biology must always be a part of the general education curriculum.
— Nadya Povysheva
Teaching Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh