Open University
Training
Open University offers 32 training opportunities:
In the Night Sky: Orion
MOOC (Online) by FutureLearn and Open University · Free
Explore the night sky, discover how stars are formed and find out about exoplanets, all through the constellation of Orion.
Certificate in Astronomy and Planetary Science
Course (Online) by Open University · £3228
You’ll explore the structure, origin and evolution of stars, galaxies and the Universe, while making your own observations of the sky. You’ll also tackle fundamental questions about the Solar System and its formation; including how and why life began on Earth and the search for intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe.
The search for water on Mars
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
The possibility of water on Mars has captured human imagination for over a century. In this free course, The Search for Water on Mars, find out more about how scientists have found evidence for water in the red planet’s past and present, and what this might mean for the possibility of life beyond Earth.
An introduction to software development
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
Software development is the practice of organising the design and construction of software, the beating heart of much technology fundamental to our personal and professional life. This free introductory course, An introduction to software development, discusses the engineering nature of software development, its challenges and some fundamental practices which have developed to meet them. Software development is a fast-moving discipline and as a software development professional you must be able to track its leading edge. The course also teaches you some fundamental skills to help you interact with the growing published academic and professional literature on the subject.
Scales in space and time
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
Scale – dealing with the miniscule to the massive, over milliseconds to millennia – is central to all the sciences. In this free course, Scales in space and time, you’ll go to the absolute limits of what can be measured – all through a study of an oak tree! By studying it you will be introduced to concepts in physics, chemistry, biology and life-sciences, and Earth and environmental sciences. Across these multiple disciplines you will meet time scales that include ages, durations and rates, and size scales including distances in three dimensions, which underpin areas and volumes.
An introduction to electronics
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
Electronics is fundamental to modern life. Using an interactive website, videos, and easy-to-use electronic circuit design and simulation software, this free course, An introduction to electronics, will show how electronic devices and systems pervade everything we do, and teach some of the basic ideas.
The Sun
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
The Sun dominates our lives by defining our day, but how much do you know and understand about it? This free course will help you to explore the workings of what, from Earth, appears to be the brightest star in our universe by looking at its structure and the main processes taking place within it. You will also examine the phenomenon of sun spots.
Galaxies, stars and planets
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
This free course, Galaxies, stars and planets, is a general introduction, including scale of the universe from the very large to the very small; orbits and gravity; the Solar System; the Sun and other stars; galaxies and the composition of astronomical objects.
Introduction to finite element analysis
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
What is finite element analysis (what is it and why do we carry it out? This free course, Introduction to finite element analysis, introduces the essence of finite element analysis. As an example of its use, you will look at the case of FEA of the tub of a racing car. You will also have the opportunity to try out two exercises to carry out a simple analysis of a plate and a square beam.
Moons of our Solar System
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
Discover the amazing diversity of moons in our Solar System. There are lots of moons in our Solar System. The Earth is the only planet with just a single moon. Some are bigger than ours. Many are much smaller. Some moons have ongoing volcanic eruptions. Others have rivers of liquid methane. A small handful may even be home to primitive life. This free course, Moons of our Solar System, will allow you to explore the rich diversity of moons in our Solar System. With experts from The Open University, you’ll explore the fundamental processes that have shaped them, and the relationship between our Moon and the Earth.
Additive manufacturing
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
This free course, Additive manufacturing, introduces you to its key concepts. It covers the fundamentals of the additive manufacturing (AM) process, the steps involved in creating a model and building an artefact, the materials and techniques used, as well as the design implications and the factors which affect the functionality of the finished parts.
Astronomy with an online telescope
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
This free course, Astronomy with an online telescope, shows you how to navigate the night sky, and introduces the wide variety of objects it contains. You will develop a hands-on understanding of telescopic observations using the Open University’s own robotic telescope facility COAST sited on the island of Tenerife. Supported by your own measurements we illustrate how stars evolve, and study variable stars.
The restless Universe
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
The restless Universe introduces you to major achievements and figures in the history of physics, from Copernicus to Einstein and beyond. The route from classical to quantum physics will be laid out for you in this free course without recourse to challenging mathematics but with the fundamental features of theories and discoveries described in sufficient detail to whet your appetite for further physics study.
Moons
MOOC (Online) by Open University and FutureLearn · Free
Explore the many moons of our Solar System. Find out what makes them special and ask whether we send humans to our Moon again.
Systems engineering: Challenging complexity
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
This free course, Systems engineering: Challenging complexity, examines system engineering and why it is important. You will learn to identify and evaluate the importance of relationships within the process and assess the relative importance of stakeholders. You will also be able to classify a systems engineering project in terms of the balance of demands, choice and constraints.
Microgravity: living on the International Space Station
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
This course will be covering questions such as, how does the International Space Station (ISS) orbit the Earth? Is circular motion involved? What about the forces? Are they pushing or pulling the ISS to the Earth? What would happen if these forces suddenly disappeared? How does a rocket overcome the Earth’s gravity? How has human endeavour in space impacted on other aspects of our lives? As well as GPS and studying the stars, it has also helped us to study the ageing process! The ISS helps us to study Biology, Chemistry, Quantum Physics and even banking and security! There will be interviews with several scientists along the way. But what about the cost of the ISS? Do you think that it is justified? Finally, could you be an astronaut or a scientist?!
Electronic applications
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
Electronics is fundamental to modern life. Take for example this free course, Electronic applications. An interactive website with videos and interactive software will show how electronic systems pervade everything we do; review some basic ideas of signal processing, control and communications; and allow you to use a digital filter to remove Gaussian noise from a signal.
Introduction to active galaxies
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
The field of active galaxies is recognised as one of increasing importance. But how do we know there are different kinds of galaxy? What are active galaxies? How are they powered? This free course, Introduction to active galaxies, examines the different types of active galaxies and looks at the crucial role of the active galactic nucleus and the energy source at its heart.
The evolving Universe
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
The Big Bang is said to be the origin of our Universe. This free course, The evolving Universe, will help you to comprehend what happened in the moments immediately after the Big Bang and during the initial cooling period. You will also gain an understanding of how this event turned in to the Universe we live in today.
An introduction to exoplanets
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
What are the planets outside our Solar System like? Could there be life on them? Learn about this fascinating area of twenty-first century science in this exciting free course, An introduction to exoplanets. The course introduces our Galaxy's population of planets, and some of their many surprises. It explains the methods used by astronomers to study exoplanets, and provides a general introduction to the methods of scientific inquiry. The course culminates in discussion of life elsewhere in our Galaxy.
Icy bodies: Europa and elsewhere
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
The new discipline of astrobiology that is, the science of searching for extraterrestrial life, is not only rapdly growing, but has also captured the public imagination. This free course, Icy bodies: Europa and elsewhere, examines the emergence of icy satellites of distant planets as potential sites of extraterrestrial life, looks at the potential for life on Jupiter's moon Europa, and speculates on the ethics of searching for life elsewhere in the solar system.
The Moon
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
As the only planetary body everyone is familiar with seeing in the sky, the Moon has long been an object of fascination and speculation. This free course will teach you about the nearest planetary body to Earth: the missions to the Moon, the basic facts of its composition, the cratering on its surface, and the ancient eruptions that flooded many low-lying areas.
Approaches to software development
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
This free course, Approaches to software development, presents an engineering approach to the development of software systems – a software engineering approach. The course pays particular attention to issues of software quality, in terms of both product (what is built) and process (how we build it).
Digital communications
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
Optical-fibre communications became commercially viable in the 1970s and innovation continues today. This free course, Digital communications, will illustrate how very high data rates can be transmitted over long distances through optical fibres. You will learn how these fibres are linked, examine the technology used and assess the future direction of this continually developing area of communication.
The Big Bang
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
This is the way the world ends / Not with a bang but a whimper.' (T.S. Eliot) But how about the way the world begins? Was this the biggest bang of all? This free course The Big Bang will introduce you to the theory of the Big Bang and will present the three main lines of experimental evidence that support this theory.
Comparing stars
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
Stars can necessarily be observed only at a distance. Comparing stars is a 16-hour free course that introduces the HertzsprungRussell diagram, an essential tool in understanding the nature of stars. You should have some understanding of the basic stellar properties of luminosity and temperature in order to get the most from the course.
Telescopes and spectrographs
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
This free course, Telescopes and spectrographs, looks at how they are designed to improve our ability to observe the universe. You will examine how different technologies have been developed over the last four hundred years to enable us to look deep into space.
Microelectronic solutions for digital photography
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
The human eye is a fascinating and complicated device, but how do digital cameras capture images? This free course, Microelectronic solutions for digital photography, examines one of the humanmachine interfaces that link optical information to the electronic world. You will learn how the components within a digital camera capture images for electronic manipulation.
MSc in Space Science and Technology
Course (Online) by Open University · £8,025–£8,765
This qualification looks at space science and the technology that underpins it. Developed in consultation with the UK Space Agency and the space industry, it’s suitable for developing a career in the space sector. This MSc will equip you with the skills to carry out individual and team scientific investigations using space-based instrumentation. In addition, you’ll learn how to use a programming language for space science applications and develop skills relevant to further research or employment in the space sector. You’ll also conduct an in-depth research project in space science or technology.
Postgraduate Certificate in Space Science
Course (Online) by Open University · £2,760
Designed for those with an academic or professional interest in space science, this qualification provides students with a wide-ranging overview of scientific measurement in the space environment, and will equip students with the skills required to carry out scientific investigations using space-based instrumentation, both individually and as a team.
Postgraduate Diploma in Space Science and Technology
Course (Online) by Open University · £5,265–£6,005
This postgraduate qualification is designed for those with an academic or professional interest in space science and the technology that underpins this discipline. It equips students with the skills to carry out scientific investigations using space-based instrumentation, both individually and as a team. Students learn how to use a programming language in support of space science applications and develop other skills that are highly relevant to employment in the space sector.
Astronomy: images of the Universe
MOOC (Online) by Open University · Free
Modern astronomy utilises a range of techniques across the electromagnetic spectrum that allow astronomers to measure the brightness, size and shape of astronomical objects, as well as their structure in many cases. This free course enables you to explore multiwavelength images of the Universe and make your own measurements of stars, nebulae and galaxies using online tools and databases. You will explore the different types of nebulae in the Messier catalogue, considering their sizes and distances using an interactive Scales tool, and use a web tool called Chromoscope to survey the Milky Way in different wavebands. This free course is an adapted extract from the Open University course S284 Astronomy.