Revolutionary thinking can come from the most unlikely places. Even if you've never been near a Bunsen burner before, our science courses might just light a spark that takes you on to bigger and brighter things.
Darwin and evolution (S170)
Celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of one of Britain's greatest minds by learning more about the man and his groundbreaking theory of evolution by natural selection. You'll have the opportunity to examine the evidence for yourself and explore the impact that his theories have had on every scientific discipline.
This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in Darwin. You do not require a scientific background or any particular knowledge of evolution.
Exploring science (S104)
How did life begin? How do animals and plants evolve? Is there life on Mars? What causes global warming? Why do some countries have more earthquakes than others? If you're curious about these questions and more, Exploring science is the perfect place for you to start looking for answers.
This course is suitable for beginners but you will need some basic mathematical skills and a basic familiarity with scientific terminology. If you'd like to build or refresh your knowledge of maths, you might like to take our introductory course S154 Science Starts Here before tackling Exploring Science.
Evolution (S366)
If you want an in-depth look at the fascinating science behind the origins and development of all life on earth then this course is for you. You'll explore topics such as natural selection, the creation of new species, the evolutionary relationships between organisms and the way in which humans influence the evolution of other species.
This course is recommended for those with previous experience of studying science at a higher level. Complete beginners are advised to start with Exploring Science (S104) first.
Philosophy and the human situation (A211)
This course deals with some of the most difficult questions that arise from our everyday lives and our interaction with the world around us. Whether you are looking for an introduction to philosophy or a course to enable you to go on to further philosophical study, you will gain valuable techniques to help you engage with some of life's biggest questions.
The course is recommended for anyone with an interest in philosophy but does require fairly confident study and essay writing skills.
Biology: uniformity and diversity (S204)
How did such a rich variety of life forms evolve from just a few basic life processes? How can we demonstrate our thinking using microbes, plants and animals? What techniques do we use to develop highly complex biological theories?
This course covers a variety of topics across the whole field of modern biology, emphasising that it is a science firmly grounded in observation and experiment.
Fossils and the history of life (S193)
This short course is ideal if you don't have much spare time or you want to top up your scientific knowledge in between longer courses. It will give you the basic skills you need to identify and interpret fossils, and will help you to understand how the life which created them fits into the story the earth's history.
This course is available four times a year in February, May, September and November. It can be studied over eight to ten weeks or up to five months.
Medicine and society in Europe 1500 - 1930 (A218)
This course charts the development of medicine from the Renaissance until just before Europe was torn apart by the Second World War. You'll explore how early medical practice in Ancient Greece influenced modern medicine, the role and identity of healers, and how a patient's experience of illness and access to care has changed over time.
This course is ideal for anyone with an interest in science, history or sociology who is fairly confident about their study and essay writing skills.
The geological record of environmental change (S369)
Explore how sea levels have changed over time and how this has been recorded in the natural landscape, investigate the evidence for, and controls on climate change and extinction during the Cretaceous period, and examine the impact of the Great Ice Age. Your geological journey of discovery will be supported by three books with study commentaries, DVDs and a returnable kit of rock specimens.
We strongly recommend that you take both Our dynamic planet: Earth and life (S279) and Geology (S260) before taking this course.
Geology (S260)
This course offers students who are new to geology the opportunity to learn the basics in an exciting and innovative way. You'll look at four main areas: interpretation of geological maps, identification and description of minerals and rocks, the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks, and sedimentary processes, fossils and environments.
It is designed as an introduction to geology and is suitable for anyone who has a basic scientific background and an interest in the subject.
The arts past and present (AA100)
Explore some of the world's most influential ideas in art, religion and philosophy. Discover landmark works of fiction and music and and form your own opinions about how and why some of the 20th Century's greatest tragedies occurred. This is a broadly focused course which introduces you to the arts across a range of subject areas including history, art history, philosophy, religious studies, music and English.
