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level 2: intermediate icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Geological processes in the British Isles
The landscape of the British Isles has undergone dramatic changes during the history of the Earth, from shallow sea to desert to the familiar terrain of the 21st century. In this free course, Geological processes in the British Isles, you will explore the processes that have shaped the British landscape over time, gaining insight into the ...
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History & The Arts
The man behind Matilda – what Roald Dahl was really like
Roald Dahl: the incredible storyteller loved by millions or a belittling bully? Find out what his character was like in this article.
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Money & Business
Why is the iPhone X a thousand-dollar gamble?
As it launches a new model, Apple is hoping that its brand will persuade enough people to dig deep into their pockets. Loizos Heracleous explores Apple's thinking.
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History & The Arts
Four weird ideas people used to have about women’s periods
Professor of Classical Studies Helen King takes a look at historic beliefs around menstrual periods.
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level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Meiosis and mitosis
This free course, Meiosis and mitosis, looks at how units of inheritance are transmitted from one generation to the next. First you will look at what happens to the chromosomes of animals and plants during the process of sexual reproduction. Then you will examine how genes are transmitted in particular patterns from generation to generation. ...
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level 3: advanced icon
Society, Politics & Law
Attention
What does 'attention' mean to you? This free course, Attention, will help you to examine how we 'pay attention'. How do we manage to single out sounds and images that require attention and how easy is it to distract someone and why.
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level 3: advanced icon
Science, Maths & Technology
Drug development process: combating pain
Drug development process: combating pain, is a free course offering a brief introduction to the process of new drug discovery; from identification of a suitable candidate drug molecule to the development of a commercial drug product available in the clinic for pain relief or as an anti-inflammatory.
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Society, Politics & Law
Smart Cities in the Making: Learning from Milton Keynes
Why research Milton Keynes? Professor Gillian Rose introduces a study of how cities are increasingly using digital data to improve their management and create new ways of living.
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Society, Politics & Law
Milton Keynes and the roots of 'Smart' transport
Learn about MK’s unique history of transport innovation, and how The Open University has been a part of the experiment.
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level 1: introductory icon
Science, Maths & Technology
What do genes do?
This free course, What do genes do?, explores how information contained in DNA is used, explaining the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein. Also introduced are the concepts of transcription (as occurs between DNA and RNA) and translation.
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Money & Business
An American Classic: How Spam became a success
Fritter away a few minutes with the story of how chopped meat in a tin became a branding success. What can we learn from the constant reinvention of a staple?
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Society, Politics & Law
The Curious Geography of Weetabix: A Cereal Tale for Our Times
Where is Weetabix actually from? Prof. John Allen investigates.