Natural sciences
Explore natural phenomena with Oxford University
Short courses in Oxford and online
Our courses in the natural sciences include biology, physics, astronomy and earth science, with some overlap into the medical and environmental sciences. Courses might be hands-on or philosophical, and might address topics as diverse as climate change, particle physics, animal behaviour, the universe or the brain.
Many of our short courses can be studied for credit, which means they can count towards a recognised qualification such as our Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education.
The video below was filmed during a past day school (Animals as Inventors) and is an example of what students can expect from our face-to-face classes. Presented by Dr Thomas Hesselberg, Director of Studies in Biological Sciences at the Department.
Upcoming courses
Online - flexible • Short courses
Why do animals behave the way they do? In this course we will look at the full range of behaviours found in the animal kingdom, from simple escape behaviours to complex tool use and their evolution.
- Mon 09 Sep 2024 – 22 Nov 2024
Online - flexible • Short courses
Investigate the power of maps and spatial data to document and illustrate local and global issues. Learn how to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to explore the world around you and share ideas.
- Wed 11 Sep 2024 – 22 Nov 2024
Online - flexible • Short courses
How old is the universe? How unusual is the Solar System? How will it all end? Oxford astronomers Chris Lintott and Robert Simpson provide an overview of the last 13.7 billion years of cosmic evolution, answering these questions and more.
- Mon 16 Sep 2024 – 29 Nov 2024
Online - flexible • Professional development
Part-time over five weeks, this tutor-led online training course can be taken from anywhere in the world. It will appeal to students and practitioners who want to improve their ability to conduct vegetation surveys.
- Wed 18 Sep 2024 – 23 Oct 2024
- 5 meetings
Online - live • Short courses
An overview of the change of focus from classical physics describing an ideal world to a new approach, modelling nonlinearity and chaotic behaviour. Chaos theory describes a world where the smallest actions might have the greatest consequences.
- Wed 02 Oct 2024 – 04 Dec 2024
- 10 meetings
- 5:00 – 6:00pm
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