The Open University on iTunes U - Science

Section of rock

Geological time

A closer look at geological maps and the relationship between the landscape and underlying rocks.

Visit on iTunes U

graphic of Nebula

Take away Science

Take-Away Science is about anything and everything interesting in science.

Visit on iTunes U

Subject introduction

Science

The more you look into science, the more fascinating it becomes. Advances in areas such as communications, food production, healthcare and transport all depend on fresh knowledge emerging from science’s many disciplines. Studying science will enhance your understanding of the world, and contribute to your intellectual and personal development. The depth and breadth of our courses encompass topics such as biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, geology, physics, and planetary and space sciences (including astronomy).

Subject highlights

DNA replication How DNA molecules replicate themselves.	Darwin Online The Darwin Online project is already bringing his life's work to a much larger audience, who are able to engage with it, on an unprecedented scale.
The “dark sector” Examining the concepts of dark matter and dark energy. Ideas about dark energy have led to a theory of the end of the universe called the Big Rip	Evolution and the family A short introduction to this album.
The Nature of Matter Professor Russell Stannard explores the nature of matter and how complete our understanding of matter can be.	Communicating science A short introduction to this album.

Subjects

Arts and humanities

The Aurelianic wall

The renewed threat of barbarian invasion led to the construction of the Aurelianic wall - the second fortification in the history of Imperial Rome.

Artificial Intelligence

Philosophy professor Tim Crane explains what he sees to be the main philosophical issues in the area of Artificial Intelligence

Visit this subject

Business and Management

Calderdale: preparing the bid

Members of the Calderdale NHS trust and the private consortium discuss the affordability of the new hospital.

Sorting out strategies

How a group makes decisions and deals with discord.

Visit this subject

Childhood and Youth

Creativity and early years

Using interviews and a live recording of a learning environment, creativity is defined and discussed as both a central aspect of the curriculum and a developmental tool.

Making Music Together

Recording a DJ set, designing a cd cover, and a guitar lesson. Behind the scenes the facilitators discuss the group's teamwork.

Visit this subject

Computing and ICT

Adding text to video

Titles and visuals are a quick and simple way to give the audience more information.

Why go robotic?

Benefits for the cows, the farmer and his family.

Visit this subject

Education

TESSA - Anything for School

Adjua wants to go to school, even though she is sick

TESSA - Something Good

Jude's snap decision costs him money

Visit this subject

Engineering and Technology

A MIDI composer talks about his career and the equipment in his studio.

IDEO: Encouraging Ideas

How to manage small teams and ways to create innovative ideas.

Visit this subject

Environment, Development and International Studies

Women's roles in the war

Women were involved in various ways in war, and their roles both as perpetrators and in peace-building should not be under-estimated.

The Impact of Science

A discussion with scientists about the nature of scientific knowledge, and it's relationship to policy making regarding climate change

Visit this subject

Health and Social Care

Carers from Minority Ethnic Groups

The specific needs of carers from minority ethnic groups with emphasis on the Chinese Welfare Association in Belfast

Gate Control Theory

Doctors and patients at the Royal Free Hospital's Pain Clinic and at the Real Health Institute explain how chronic pain works

Visit this subject

Languages

Talking to the waiter

Beginners' German Introduction

A series of short tracks giving speaking, pronunciation and listening practice on the theme of Food and Drink.

Visit this subject

Law

Further reading

A list of further readings.

Freedom of speech

A current affairs journalist, a human rights lawyer and an academic debate issues around freedom of speech and to what extent the law should intervene to restrict it.

Visit this subject

Mathematics and Statistics

Taking a bearing

Discover how to get your bearings with a compass and a map.

The Open University's Alan Graham shares his knowledge on the link between music and math, and his band Betty's Kitchen perform several songs and talk us through their instruments.

Visit this subject

Psychology

Identical twinset

Linda, Sharon and their mother discuss their similarities as identical twins.

Discursive Psychological Research

Professor Margaret Wetherell discusses her pioneering research into the language of racism.

Visit this subject

Science

Focusing on fungi

Dr Sarah Watkinson reveals the role of fungi in breaking down dead leaves.

Waves: Electro magnetic waves

How radio waves work and their use at sea.

Visit this subject

Social Sciences

Migration: controlling borders

In Algeciras in southern Spain, the arrival of undocumented migrants from North Africa is a daily occurrence.

Working in partnership

Joan Devlin on how Belfast Healthy Cities is a model for further partnership initiatives.

Visit this subject

Research

Spectacular Flirtations

Open University Art History researcher, Gill Perry takes us through The National Portrait Gallery and explores the relationship between 18th Century art and theatre and the notion of actresses and their portraits as seductive, beguiling objects. Gill also looks at paralells in the ways contemporary female stars use media images to promote themselves as celebrities.

Building on History: the Church in London

Short documentary outlining a new Open University research project involving the Diocese of London and Kings College University in which existing c19th church history research is used to inform current strategies for the Church of England as part of a Knowledge Transfer Process.

Visit this subject

The OU on iTunes U

Bringing learning to life