Course Description

Join molecular biologist Douglas Axe as he investigates evidence for intelligent design in molecular biology. In 40 short video lectures, Axe explores the complex world of the cell, the holes in evolutionary theory, and how those holes are best answered by intelligent design. Introducing the student to concepts discussed in his book, Undeniable: How Biology Confirms Our Intuition That Life Is Designed, Axe demonstrates the innate human ability to discern between what is designed and what is accidental, and proposes that our earliest intuitions about the nature of the world might be correct. Each video lecture is accompanied by a short quiz, and a special digital certificate of completion is offered for those who finish the course.

Curriculum

  • 1

    Unit 1: Proteins and Genes

  • 2

    Unit 2: Evolution

    • Lecture 7: The Evolutionary Paradigm

    • Quiz 7

    • Lecture 8: Gradualism

    • Quiz 8

    • Lecture 9: The Gaping Hole

    • Quiz 9

    • Lecture 10: Stepping Stones 1

    • Quiz 10

    • Lecture 11: Stepping Stones 2

    • Quiz 11

    • Lecture 12: Stepping Stones 3

    • Quiz 12

    • Lecture 13: Stepping Stones 4

    • Quiz 13

    • Lecture 14: Mathematizing Darwin's Theory

    • Quiz 14

    • Lecture 15: Mathematizing Darwin's Theory 2

    • Quiz 15

    • Lecture 16: The Challenge of Complex Adaptation 1

    • Quiz 16

    • Lecture 17: The Challenge of Complex Adaptation 2

    • Quiz 17

    • Lecture 18: The Downside of Rapid Growth

    • Quiz 18

    • Lecture 19: Math of Adaptation

    • Quiz 19

    • Lecture 20: Testing the Recruitment Model

    • Quiz 20

    • Lecture 21: Laboratory Tests of Adaptation

    • Quiz 21

    • Lecture 22: Neo-Darwinian Evolution 1

    • Quiz 22

    • Lecture 23: Neo-Darwinian Evolution 2

    • Quiz 23

    • Lecture 24: The Engineering Challenge

    • Quiz 24

    • Lecture 25: No Free Lunch

    • Quiz 25
  • 3

    Unit 3: Intelligent Design

    • Lecture 26: Universal Design Intuition

    • Quiz 26

    • Lecture 27: Benefits of a Simple Design Argument

    • Quiz 27

    • Lecture 28: Coincidence vs. Surprising Correspondence

    • Quiz 28

    • Lecture 29: Fantastic Improbability

    • Quiz 29

    • Lecture 30: Distinction

    • Quiz 30

    • Lecture 31: Functional Coherence

    • Quiz 31

    • Lecture 32: The Common Sense Argument

    • Quiz 32

    • Lecture 33: The Anthropic Argument

    • Quiz 33

    • Lecture 34: The Multiverse

    • Quiz 34

    • Lecture 35: Mind

    • Quiz 35

    • Lecture 36: Faith and Science

    • Quiz 36

    • Lecture 37: The Inept Design Argument

    • Quiz 37

    • Lecture 38: What is Intelligent Design?

    • Quiz 38

    • Lecture 39: The New Biology

    • Quiz 39

    • Lecture 40: How to Get Involved

    • Quiz 40

Instructor

Douglas Axe

Maxwell Professor of Molecular Biology, Biola University

Douglas Axe is the Maxwell Professor of Molecular Biology at Biola University, the founding Director of Biologic Institute, the founding Editor of BIO-Complexity, and the author of Undeniable: How Biology Confirms Our Intuition That Life Is Designed. After completing his PhD at Caltech, he held postdoctoral and research scientist positions at the University of Cambridge and the Cambridge Medical Research Council Centre. His research, which examines the functional and structural constraints on the evolution of proteins and protein systems, has been featured in many scientific journals, including the Journal of Molecular Biology, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, BIO-Complexity, and Nature, and in such books as Signature in the Cell and Darwin’s Doubt by Stephen Meyer and Life’s Solution by Simon Conway Morris.