The distance between us
Matthew Cole and Kate Stewart on how society ‘helps’ us to rationalise the exploitation of other animals, giving us a ‘license to harm’.
Read now: The distance between us about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
14 Dec 2020
The unique relationship between the fig and the fig wasp
Figs and fig wasps depend on each other to reproduce and this is a fantastic example of co-evolution. Dr Philip Wheeler tells us their fascinating story in this article…
Updated on:
04 Nov 2020
How the atmosphere sustains life on Earth
Why does the Earth’s atmosphere make it the perfect home for life? Professor Stephen Lewis explores...
Read now: How the atmosphere sustains life on Earth about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
02 Nov 2020
Studying Mammals
Welcome to OpenLearn’s ‘Studying Mammals’ series. This collection of 10 free courses covers everything from the largest to the smallest of mammals, their eating habits and social interactions.
Read now: Studying Mammals about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
18 Aug 2020
World Environment Day
Friday 5th June is World Environment Day. Check out our FREE courses, articles and other content related to the environment and nature.
Read now: World Environment Day about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
02 Jun 2020
Age of the Image
Art historian James Fox explores how the power of images has transformed the modern world.
Updated on:
25 Feb 2020
Our Coast
Join Adrian Chiles and Mehreen Baig, as they explore four spectacular coastlines linked by the Irish sea.
Updated on:
04 Feb 2020
Why do birds eat plastic?
The photos of birds killed by bellies full of plastic waste are harrowing - but why do they eat the stuff in the first place? The OU's Miranda Dyson explains.
Read now: Why do birds eat plastic? about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
How do ruminants digest?
A quick introduction to how ruminants break down the plant matter they eat - equally useful as a quick revision aid on ruminants.
Read now: How do ruminants digest? about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
Sperm counts
How much sperm does a man make? Would you explode if you don't release your sperm? Explore the male reproductive system in this article and video.
Includes explicit contentRead now: Sperm counts about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
Human impacts on the lives of animals
Humans have destroyed or altered natural habitats, what impact has this had upon animals?
Read now: Human impacts on the lives of animals about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
Rough endoplasmic reticulum: The cell city's industrial park
Why is a cell's rough endoplasmic reticulum similar to a city's industrial park?
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
Cell membrane: The cell's city wall
Why is a cell's membrane similar to a city wall?
Read now: Cell membrane: The cell's city wall about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
What is testosterone?
Find out more about the so-called sex hormone testosterone.
Read now: What is testosterone? about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
19 Mar 2019
The animals are rebelling because they are dying. And we should too. Lessons from a modern-day fable
Reading news about animals as modern-day fables alerts us to human beings’ vulnerability to climate change. What moral lesson about sustainable futures are exposed by restorying news of animals in the context of climate change?
Updated on:
18 Feb 2019
When is the best time to water during a heatwave?
The sun is out, the sky is blue; there's not a cloud to spoil the view and have you seen what that's doing to the herbaceous border? Botanist Alastair Culham explains how to make the most of watering as Britain continues to experience a hot spell.
Read now: When is the best time to water during a heatwave? about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
05 Jul 2018
Life In The Undergrowth
David Attenborough pushes back the foliage and finds a world of invertebrates.
Updated on:
02 Jul 2018
'Good' food destroying biodiversity?
On International Day for Biodiversity (22 May), maybe it's time you considered the impact of the production of ‘good’ food on biodiversity
Read now: 'Good' food destroying biodiversity? about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
22 May 2018
The Speed of Extinct Organisms
How do we know how fast a T. rex moved? Here's an introduction to palaeobiology and how the speed of movement of extinct animals can be calculated.
Read now: The Speed of Extinct Organisms about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
10 May 2018
How old is a mountain range?
Eleni Wood explains how the science of 'geochronology' can be used to effectively analyse the history of a mountain range.
Watch now: How old is a mountain range? about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
08 May 2018
Soil as the book of nature
Our planet is largely covered with soil, and like sunlight and water we tend to take it for granted, and not give it the respect it deserves.
Read now: Soil as the book of nature about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
19 Apr 2018
Life In Cold Blood
David Attenborough explores the lives of amphibians and reptiles - cold blood, but amazing creatures. Watch clips and find out more.
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
09 Apr 2018
The Hunt
Narrated by Sir David Attenborough this lavish series explores the relationship between predator and their prey.
Updated on:
09 Apr 2018
Download your free 'Oceans' poster
Download your free 'Oceans' poster to accompany the OU/BBC series 'Blue Planet 2'.
Take part now: Download your free 'Oceans' poster about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
13 Mar 2018
Tree of Life
Follow evolution and explore the variety of life on the planet with the Tree of Life interactive.
Take part now: Tree of Life about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
09 Mar 2018
Free OpenLearn courses.
Free extracts from OU course materials
The distance between us
Matthew Cole and Kate Stewart on how society ‘helps’ us to rationalise the exploitation of other animals, giving us a ‘license to harm’.
Read now: The distance between us about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
14 Dec 2020
The unique relationship between the fig and the fig wasp
Figs and fig wasps depend on each other to reproduce and this is a fantastic example of co-evolution. Dr Philip Wheeler tells us their fascinating story in this article…
Updated on:
04 Nov 2020
How the atmosphere sustains life on Earth
Why does the Earth’s atmosphere make it the perfect home for life? Professor Stephen Lewis explores...
Read now: How the atmosphere sustains life on Earth about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
02 Nov 2020
Studying Mammals
Welcome to OpenLearn’s ‘Studying Mammals’ series. This collection of 10 free courses covers everything from the largest to the smallest of mammals, their eating habits and social interactions.
Read now: Studying Mammals about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
18 Aug 2020
World Environment Day
Friday 5th June is World Environment Day. Check out our FREE courses, articles and other content related to the environment and nature.
Read now: World Environment Day about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
02 Jun 2020
Animals at the extremes: Polar biology
The extreme challenges of life in the polar regions require the animals who make their habitat there to make many adaptations This free course Animals at the extremes Polar biology explores the polar climate and how animals like reindeer polar bears penguins sea life and even humans manage to survive there It looks at the adaptations to physiological proceses the environmental effects on diet activity and fecundity and contrasts the strategies of aquatic and landbased animals in surviving in this extreme habitat
Level: 2 Intermediate
Updated on:
15 Apr 2020
Introducing mammals
Mammals come in a bewildering variety of shapes and sizes and yet all species have some characteristics in common These similarities justify the inclusion of all such diverse types within the single taxonomic group or class called the Mammalia This free courseIntroducing mammals offers a starting point for the study of mammals It will establish their rich diversity while highlighting the common features that define the group
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
01 Apr 2020
Aquatic mammals
Mammals come in a bewildering variety of shapes and sizes and yet all of the 4700 or so species have some characteristics in common which justifies the inclusion of diverse types within a single group Although mammals evolved on land a number of species have become adapted to spending part or all of their lives in water and it is these mammals that you are going to concentrate on in this course You will meet some aquatic mammals find out how we can study them consider their evolutionary history and read about human impacts on one iconic group
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
25 Mar 2020
Age of the Image
Art historian James Fox explores how the power of images has transformed the modern world.
Updated on:
25 Feb 2020
Our Coast
Join Adrian Chiles and Mehreen Baig, as they explore four spectacular coastlines linked by the Irish sea.
Updated on:
04 Feb 2020
Why do birds eat plastic?
The photos of birds killed by bellies full of plastic waste are harrowing - but why do they eat the stuff in the first place? The OU's Miranda Dyson explains.
Read now: Why do birds eat plastic? about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
How do ruminants digest?
A quick introduction to how ruminants break down the plant matter they eat - equally useful as a quick revision aid on ruminants.
Read now: How do ruminants digest? about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
Sperm counts
How much sperm does a man make? Would you explode if you don't release your sperm? Explore the male reproductive system in this article and video.
Includes explicit contentRead now: Sperm counts about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
Human impacts on the lives of animals
Humans have destroyed or altered natural habitats, what impact has this had upon animals?
Read now: Human impacts on the lives of animals about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
Rough endoplasmic reticulum: The cell city's industrial park
Why is a cell's rough endoplasmic reticulum similar to a city's industrial park?
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
Cell membrane: The cell's city wall
Why is a cell's membrane similar to a city wall?
Read now: Cell membrane: The cell's city wall about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
30 Aug 2019
Studying mammals: Return to the water
Some of the most unusual and versatile of all the mammals are the groups that live feed and reproduce underwater In this free course Studying mammals Return to the water we will see how these formerly landbased mammals adapted to a return to the water discussing such challenges as breathing movement and communication This is the seventh course in the Studying mammals series NOTE TheStudying mammalsseries is gradually being updated and replaced You can study an improved freestanding version of this course titledAquatic mammals here httpswwwopeneduopenlearnnatureenvironmentaquaticmammalscontentsection0
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
15 May 2019
Studying mammals: A winning design
The term mammal encompasses a huge variety of animals including humans But what makes a mammal a mammal This free course Studying mammals A winning design explores some of the features such as reproduction lactation and thermoregulation methods that mammals have in common It is the first in a series of ten Studying mammals courses NOTE The Studying mammals series is gradually being updated and replaced You can study an improved freestanding version of this course titled Introducing mammals here httpswwwopeneduopenlearnnatureenvironmentintroducingmammalscontentsection0
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
07 May 2019
Studying Darwin
Please note that this is not a course containing teaching materials It collates links to a variety of courses and other resources about natural selection its relevance to different environments and animal species and the theorys influence on future scientists psychologists and philosophers It will be of interest to anyone wishing to study Darwins theory of evolution and natural selection and how his work has gone on to influence other work around this theory
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
07 May 2019
Studying mammals: The insect hunters
From pygmy shrews to armadillos a wide range of mammals survive on a diet made up largely of insects Many of these have fascinating adaptations suited to catching or rooting out their prey In this free course Studying mammals The insect hunters you will learn about these adaptations along with survival strategies for when food is scarce This is the second course in the Studying mammals series
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
01 May 2019
Neighbourhood nature
There is a fascinating world of nature all around us which we can see if we know how to look for it Wherever you live be it in a city or the countryside you will find areas that support a range of wildlife This free course Neighbourhood nature will provide you with basic scientific and observational skills so that you can go into your local neighbourhood to discover the animals and plants in open spaces You will learn how to observe identify and record the wildlife around you building up a picture of a small part of your local environment
Level: 1 Introductory
Updated on:
10 Apr 2019
What is testosterone?
Find out more about the so-called sex hormone testosterone.
Read now: What is testosterone? about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
19 Mar 2019
Animals at the extremes: Hibernation and torpor
Hibernation is an ingenious adaptation that some animals employ to survive difficult conditions in winter This free course Animals at the extremes Hibernation and torpor examines the differences between hibernation and torpor and discusses the characteristic signs of hibernation behaviour It explores the triggers that bring on hibernation and whether internal signals or external season cues are predominant It also examines the physiological adaptations that occur in hibernating animals
Level: 2 Intermediate
Updated on:
17 Mar 2019
Cells are like cities
From the nucleus to the cell membrane - we explore the similarities between a cell's structure and a city.
Read now: Cells are like cities about Managing projects through people
Updated on:
01 Mar 2019
The animals are rebelling because they are dying. And we should too. Lessons from a modern-day fable
Reading news about animals as modern-day fables alerts us to human beings’ vulnerability to climate change. What moral lesson about sustainable futures are exposed by restorying news of animals in the context of climate change?
Updated on:
18 Feb 2019
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