The University of York is offering free online course to gain an insightful look into everyday chemistry. Topics include searching for new antibiotics, how to make the most delicious coffee and designing performance enhancing sports wear.
The overall objective of this course is to explore the organic chemistry behind perfume, medicine, brewing and sport from one of the UK’s leading universities. The course will start on January 23, 2017.
Course At Glance
Length: 4 weeks
Effort: 4 hours/week
Subject: Chemistry
Institution: University of York and Future learn
Languages: English
Price: Free
Certificate Available: Yes
Session: Course starts on January 23, 2017
Effort: 4 hours/week
Subject: Chemistry
Institution: University of York and Future learn
Languages: English
Price: Free
Certificate Available: Yes
Session: Course starts on January 23, 2017
Providers’ Details
The University of York combines the pursuit of academic excellence with a culture of inclusion, which encourages everyone – from a variety of backgrounds – to achieve their best. We are a high-performing, research-intensive Russell Group university, committed to providing an environment where great minds can thrive.
About This Course
This free online course explores a range of chemistry-based topics relating to our everyday lives, with an emphasis on the important role of organic chemistry – the study of carbon-containing organic compounds. Activities include experimenting ‘in the kitchen’ with hands-on projects ranging from extracting a plant fragrance, to testing the activity of spices against microbes. The course will be particularly useful for sixth formers who are interested in developing independent learning skills to help the transition to university.
Why Take This Course?
This is a free online course. This MOOC will be offered with Video Transcripts in English. Applicants can get a verified certificate.
Learning Outcomes
During each week of the course, we will use real-life examples to show you how an understanding of the structure and shape of organic compounds can be used to explain their reactivity and properties.
Week 1: The chemical attraction of perfumes and pheromones
We’ll identify a range of natural and synthetic attractants; understand current theories that help to explain how chemical structure is related to smell; and make a molecular model.
Week 2: The race for new antibiotics
We’ll describe the mode of action of antibiotics; understand bacterial resistance; identify promising new areas of research to design smarter drugs; and explore pattern recognition in structure-activity relationships.
Week 3: The chemistry of brewing
We’ll describe the process of brewing; identify key flavouring compounds in beer, tea and coffee; understand the role of modern analytical methods; and analyse spectroscopic data.
Week 4: The chemistry of sport
We’ll explore innovations that are changing the game; identify modern materials that improve performance and aid protection; and model the structures of polymers.
Requirements
The course is designed for anyone with an interest in chemistry (a GCSE level of science is recommended), but will be particularly useful for sixth formers to aid the transition to study science at university. You can use the course to support your UCAS personal statement and prepare for university study, by broadening your chemistry knowledge and developing your independent learning skills.
Instructors
Andy Parsons
Andy Parsons is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of York. His textbooks include Chemistry3 (co-author) & his teaching has been recognised by a Royal Society of Chemistry HE Teaching Award.
How To Join This Course
- Go to the course website link
- Sign Up At FutureLearn
- Select a course and Join
- Once a course has started, applicant will be able to access the course material
- After the start date, students will be able to access the course by following the Go To Course link on My Courses page.
- Applicants can buy, to show that they have completed a FutureLearn course.
- On some FutureLearn courses, learners will be able to pay to take an exam to qualify for a Statement of Attainment. (These are university-branded, printed certificates that provide proof of learning on the course topic(s)).
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