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level 1: introductory icon
Nature & Environment
Studying mammals: Meat eaters
The powerful and majestic carnivores are the focus of many television documentaries. In this free course, Studying mammals: Meat eaters, we will delve into the lives of these fearsome hunters and explore their physical adaptations and social behaviour. This is the fifth course in the Studying mammals series.
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level 1: introductory icon
Nature & Environment
Studying mammals: Plant predators
From the mouse-deer to the elephant, plant eaters come in all shapes and sizes. But how do they manage to flourish on a salad diet? In this free course, Studying mammals: Plant predators, we will examine the special features that allow them to extract their nutrients from leaves, and see how some plants protect themselves from these predators. ...
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level 1: introductory icon
Nature & Environment
Studying mammals: Chisellers
Ever wondered why rats, mice and squirrels seem to reproduce at such an alarming rate? Rodents are among the most successful of all the mammal groups. In this free course, Studying mammals: Chisellers, you will learn more about some of the evolutionary features that make these creatures so plentiful. This is the third course in the Studying ...
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level 1: introductory icon
Nature & Environment
Evolution through natural selection
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 of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or The Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. We will look at natural selection as Darwin ...
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level 2: intermediate icon
Nature & Environment
Managing coastal environments
Coastal environments are by their nature ever-changing. This free course, Managing coastal environments, looks at the example of the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, England, describing how the current state of the estuary came to be. It examines the contests and conflicts that centre on the estuary in terms of managing the environment for human ...
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Society, Politics & Law
Do we really want speed on our roads to be further reduced?
As towns in Britain begin to switch to 20 mph speed limits, Paul Rowlinson wonders if vested interests will limit their impact.
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level 3: advanced icon
Money & Business
Enacting European Citizenship (ENACT)
The term 'European citizenship' triggers an immediate association with the European Union, its member states, and people who are citizens of those states. This free course, Enacting European Citizenship (ENACT), develops another way of thinking about European citizenship whereby European citizenship need not be granted by the state, limited to ...
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Money & Business
The Bottom Line Expert Opinion: Renewable Energy
What are the economic consequences of climate change? Peter Bloom discusses the potential and limitations of 'green business'.
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Nature & Environment
UK must balance food farming impacts
The UK could reduce its emissions by converting farmland to absorb more carbon dioxide − but risks increasing climate change effects abroad.
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Nature & Environment
El Niño and war drive aid agencies to the brink
Governments must act immediately to end conflicts and counter the impact of climate disruption so as to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe affecting millions.
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OpenLearn Ireland
Bird ringing in Bog Meadows
Bird ringing is a world-wide method of finding out where birds migrate and how population levels change. This video shows how it works in Bog Meadows, a city nature reserve a few metres from the M1 motorway in Northern Ireland.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Can dogs read their owners' emotions?
Does a dog know what you're thinking? Can your dog empathise? It's possible, suggests new research.