MOOCS Online Learning
Information on the School of Physics & Astronomy Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS)
In July 2012 the University of Edinburgh joined the Coursera consortium. Coursera offers short online courses (MOOCs) from top universities and in a range of subjects, all entirely free of charge.
The School of Physics & Astronomy offers the following MOOCS.
AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery
This is an entry-level course where you’ll learn more about the science and technology behind astronomical discovery.
How do stars burn and how do black holes form? Where do the elements come from and how is the expanding universe accelerating? These are just some of the questions addressed by modern astronomy discoveries. But how were these discoveries made?
The Discovery of the Higgs Boson
In this course students will find out more about the Higgs Boson, particle physics, and understanding the universe.
Topics will include: the theory of matter and light; QED to QCD and the weak force; the Brout-Englert-Higgs mechanism; and the Standard Model.
Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
This introductory course is for anyone with an interest in understanding the fascinating field of astrobiology.
Professor Charles Cockell, Director of the UK Centre for Astrobiologyoutlines the conditions that are required for a planet to be habitable, and explores how we can search for and detect life on other planets.