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Science, Maths & Technology
Iceland: ridge, plume and basalt
Why is Iceland the fastest growing island in the North Atlantic? Why is Iceland on dry land? Dr Dave McGarvie takes us on a geographically complex field trip to discover Iceland's new land. McGarvie explains how different types of basalts eruptions help build the crust of Iceland. This material forms part of The Open University course S339, ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Island Arc Magmatism: Santorini
Today tourists flock to the spectacular Greek island of Santorini. But how many realise that its stunning scenery was birthed by one of the largest and most destructive volcanic eruptions in history? This eruption left a geological caldera surrounded by huge amounts of volcanic ash. In this album, Open University geologists Richard Thorpe and ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Geological structures exposed
Understanding mountain building involves unraveling how and why rocks deform. Geologists Nigel Harris and John Whalley tour the Scottish segment of the Caledonian orogenic Belt to untangle the kinematics and the chronology of deformation. This material forms part of The Open University course S339, Understanding the continents.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Radiotherapy and its Physics
This masters level science course aims to give you an understanding of the application of physics to the techniques of radiotherapy, one of the key weapons in the fight against cancer. It is designed to enable you to develop a broad and balanced appreciation of this area of contemporary medicine, rather than a detailed ‘professional’ knowledge. ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Archaeology: the science of investigation
Archaeology is about reconstructing the physical past to obtain an understanding of how different civilisations and cultures have evolved over time. In this album, archaeologists from the British Museum explain the scientific processes involved in the discovery, investigation and interpretation of a variety of artefacts, such as skeletons, ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
The Art of Breathing
How does your body control your breathing unconsciously? This album explores this complex process in fascinating detail using a battery of detectors attached to human guinea-pigs to monitor their breathing, blood flow and heartbeats. How does an anxious mind affect this system during a stressful situation? Whether stress is physical or ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Chance, Risk and Health
The Human Genome Project, the cutting edge of 21st century science, involves a unique collaboration between biologists, geneticists and statisticians, using the latest information technology. Today we stand on the brink of a new era, and the work of one man prepared the way. But few people today know of the achievements of Ronald Aylmer Fisher. ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Environmental Science in the Field
This is a one-week residential course which introduces a range of practical skills appropriate to the study of environmental science. You visit a variety of sites where you apply your knowledge of biology, chemistry, earth sciences and physics to study interactions and feedback in the environment, including landforms, soils, water and vegetation...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Innovation Design: Sustainable Communities
Can you picture the future in a world without fossil fuels? Perhaps you think that living an "alternative" lifestyle has to mean painful and radical changes to the way you live now. This album looks at various small scale initiatives which show that living sustainably may not be as unpalatable as you might imagine. Bedzed, Findhorn, Hockerton, ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Starting with Maths
How many times have you used mathematics today? Starting with Maths takes a detailed look into the history behind numbers and how mathematics has evolved into something we use in everyday life. We hear the experiences of people who rely heavily on accurate calculations for the success of their jobs. In addition to this we look into the lives of ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Evolution and the human family
Can Darwin's theory of evolution be applied to cultural institutions like the family? If so, how can it help us to understand how family structures have evolved? If not, what are the limitations of a Darwinian approach? In this album, Ruth Mace, Professor of Evolutionary Biology at UCL in London, reveals how she uses a Darwinian approach to ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Living the Legacy
How can Darwin be used to inspire the scientists of tomorrow? What is the best way to communicate his theories to a modern audience? And what events have been taking place all over the world to commemorate him? Sheila Ochugboju from the African Technology Policy Studies Network, Janice Asnine from the OU and Roberta Kacowicz from The British ...