Science Courses and Certifications

Social construction and social constructionism

12 ratings at OpenLearn

Within the field of social sciences the terms 'social construction' and 'social constructionism' are frequently used, particularly in relation to social policy. This free course, Social ...

• OpenLearn
• 1 hour
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

What do genes do?

12 ratings at OpenLearn

This free course, What do genes do?,  explores how information contained in DNA is used, explaining the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein. Also introduced are the concepts of ...

• OpenLearn
• 2 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Particle physics

33 ratings at OpenLearn

This free course, Particle physics, will give you an overview of current concepts and theories in the field. You will learn about the fundamental components of matter – known as leptons and quarks ...

• OpenLearn
• 5 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Evolution through natural selection

21 ratings at OpenLearn

In this free course, Evolution through natural selection, we describe the theory of evolution by natural selection as proposed by Charles Darwin in his book, first published in 1859, On the Origin ...

• OpenLearn
• 4 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Neighbourhood nature

48 ratings at OpenLearn

There is a fascinating world of nature all around us which we can see if we know how to look for it. Wherever you live, be it in a city or the countryside, you will find areas that support a range ...

• OpenLearn
• 1 hour
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

The oceans

30 ratings at OpenLearn

The oceans cover more than 70 per cent of our planet. In this free course, The oceans, you will learn about the depths of the oceans and the properties of the water that fills them, what drives the...

• OpenLearn
• 15 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Surface water

4 ratings at OpenLearn

Water is arguably the most important physical resource as it is the one that is essential to human survival. Understanding the global water cycle and how we use water is essential to planning a ...

• OpenLearn
• 8 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Moons of our Solar System

19 ratings at OpenLearn

In this free course, Moons of our Solar System, explore the many moons of our Solar System. Find out what makes them special. Should we send humans to our Moon again?

• OpenLearn
• 24 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Aquatic mammals

41 ratings at OpenLearn

Mammals come in a bewildering variety of shapes and sizes and yet all of the 4700 or so species have some characteristics in common, which justifies the inclusion of diverse types within a single...

• OpenLearn
• 5 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Mathematics for science and technology

24 ratings at OpenLearn

Maths is intimately entwined with science and technology, whether it is used to analyse data collected on plants in the Amazon rainforest, to calculate the trajectory of a comet or design a bridge ...

• OpenLearn
• 24 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Minerals and the crystalline state

17 ratings at OpenLearn

Rocks are made of minerals and, as minerals are natural crystals, the geological world is mostly a crystalline world. This free course, Minerals and the crystalline state, introduces the study of ...

• OpenLearn
• 10 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

An introduction to geology

19 ratings at OpenLearn

In this free course, An introduction to geology, you will explore basic geological processes, focusing on how, where and why different rocks and natural resources form across the Earth.

• OpenLearn
• 12 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Fire ecology

7 ratings at OpenLearn

This course explores the role of fire as a natural disturbance in ecosystems. It introduces the concept of a fire regime and its influence on the type and distribution of organisms that occur in ...

• OpenLearn
• 4 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Inheritance of characters

6 ratings at OpenLearn

Genes are units of inheritance that contribute to a person's behaviour and health. In this free course, Inheritance of characters, you will learn what genes, DNA and chromosomes are and how they ...

• OpenLearn
• 4 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate

Practising science: Reading the rocks and ecology

21 ratings at OpenLearn

Have you ever wondered how scientists analyse the environment? This free course, Practising science: Reading the rocks and ecology, introduces you to the techniques used by science students at ...

• OpenLearn
• 14 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Certificate