Thomas Hesselberg
Thomas is a zoologist who has studied spiders, insects and worms for more than 15 years in both temperate and tropical climates. In addition to his teaching for OUDCE, he is a lecturer in biological sciences at St. Anne's College.
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.
A wide-ranging look at the fungal kingdom. Ecology, species numbers and identification. Edible, poisonous and hallucinogenic species. Beatrix Potter, Urtzi, Quorn and penicillin. From Salem and Father Christmas to nutrient cycles and tree communication
A wide-ranging introduction to evolution from a geological viewpoint. Topics include evolutionary processes, evidence from fossils, extinction and an overview of the evolution of life, with a chance to study many real fossils in the teaching room.
A wide-ranging introduction to evolution from a geological viewpoint. Topics include evolutionary processes, evidence from fossils, extinction and an overview of the evolution of life, with a chance to study many real fossils in the teaching room.
With increased human activity, travel and trade comes an increase in the spread of non-native species and wildlife diseases. What impact do they have on global biodiversity? How can we conserve wildlife in such dynamic times?
Our genes are beautifully organised, precisely regulated and amazingly networked to maintain healthy cells and hence healthy bodies. What goes wrong in diseases? What is genes therapy? We will explore this field and address these questions.
This interactive course addresses an exciting subject: creativity as a natural process. Human creativity, technology and art have their roots in biology. Interactive exercises show how we can use natural laws for creativity to enrich our design concepts.
Treating cancer involves being able to see it. Where is it? What shape? How big? What is it doing? Good imaging allows the most modern treatments to do their work; this course will explore how CT, MRI and PET can help us treat cancer well.
Our genes are beautifully organised, precisely regulated and amazingly networked to maintain healthy cells and hence healthy bodies. What goes wrong in diseases? What is genes therapy? We will explore this field and address these questions.
Questions arise with the application of genomics and its benefit to society. How can it be useful to health? How to address ethics of data usage and consent? What are the policies beyond genomics projects? We introduce genomics and discuss these questions
Our immune system is a defence against all life throws at us. It fights foreign invaders; it can also destroy sick, dying and mutated cells. So why does our immune system fail with cancer? This course will explore what goes wrong and what to do about it.
Are we doomed, or just dangerous? We evaluate possible scenarios for the future of Homo sapiens. The course will investigate whether we are on a crash course for extinction or will manage to transcend biology.
Bumblebees deliver the most important job in the ecosystem: its reproduction, allowing the beauty of meadows to reappear year by year. However, they are seriously affected by human activities. In this course, you will learn simple ways to help bumblebees.
An introduction to the dramatic story of volcanoes, mountains, seas, ice and other environments that have come and gone during three billion years of Britain's history. There will be a chance to study many geological specimens in the teaching room.
An introduction to the dramatic story of volcanoes, mountains, seas, ice and other environments that have come and gone during 3 billion years of Britain's history. There will be a chance to study many geological specimens in the teaching room.
Everywhere we look on this planet from the deepest sea to the highest mountain, we find examples of how life has evolved to thrive in extreme environments. This course will explore the fascinating adaptations present in these diverse organisms.
Animals have been reported to be able to predict natural disasters. But what does the science say? In this course we investigate ways in which animals may be able to sense cues in their environment warning them that a disaster is about to strike.
Seedsaving is a powerful technique for ensuring strong, beautiful plants in your vegetable or flower garden year on year. We will introduce the principles of good seedsaving and the science behind it, and explore ways of producing new plant varieties.
Discover the origins of popular garden plants introduced by the Tradescants, Hookers, Douglas, Wilson and others. Illustrated lectures will cover 400 years of plant finds in the context of geography, history and politics, which shape our modern gardens.
A five-week tutor-led data analysis course taken entirely online. The course introduces you to the use of QED Statistics and R software.
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.
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.
Biodiversity is at risk across the world including in highly industrialised countries such as the UK. Here we will explore how to determine biodiversity and how to mitigate risks through a mixture of field-based and class sessions.