Investigative Courses are focused on asking the right questions towards exploring different disciplines. They are basically interested in the “how” and “why”, as a means to better understand these topics. The courses below span across different disciplines such as Social Sciences, Maths, Arts and Humanities, Economics & Finance, etc.
Making Sense Of The News: News Literacy Lessons For Digital Citizens
Making Sense Of The News: News Literacy Lessons For Digital Citizens is a Social Sciences course offered by The University of Hong Kong. This 6-week course is taught in English, with subtitles in Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified), English, Spanish, and Polish. These days, it has become more important than ever for news consumers to learn how to distinguish fact from fiction. Participants will learn to develop their critical thinking skills so as to better identify reliable information in news reports, and thus, stay well informed about our world. Join in to discuss the core elements of journalism from a news consumer’s perspective. Gain skills in News, Evaluation, Media Literacy, and Journalism.
Greek and Roman Mythology
Greek and Roman Mythology is an Arts and Humanities course offered by the University of Pennsylvania. It is taught in English for 10 weeks, with subtitles Romanian, Chinese (Simplified), and English. Myths remain for a long time, and are usually about traditional stories; some are events of long ago, of the heroes involved, and others are simply stories of people who did either great good or great evil. This course focuses on the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, paying attention to how the Greeks and Romans understand them, as well as the functions it plays for them. This course will also look into a number of questions that have been raised on myths, using topics like religion, family, sex, death etc.
Finding Hidden Messages in DNA
Finding Hidden Messages in DNA is course 1 of 7 in the Bioinformatics Specialization offered by the University of California San Diego. This Health course is taught in English for about 16 hours in total, with subtitles in English and Portuguese (Brazilian). Participants will learn firsthand how powerful computing is for finding hidden messages. This course is divided into two parts: the first investigates DNA replication while answering the question, “where in the genome does DNA replication begin?”; and the second examines a different question based on DNA patterns involved in the maintenance of circadian rhythm. In both cases, simple algorithms hold the answer. Gain skills in Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Algorithms, Algorithms, and Python Programming.
Data-driven Astronomy
Data-driven Astronomy is a Physical Science and Engineering course offered by The University of Sydney. This 6-week course is taught in English via online readings, quizzes, videos, and weekly interviews for approximately 25 hours. Knowledge of Python is assumed as all activities will be done in Python 3. Science is currently undergoing a vast data explosion, with astronomy leading the way. With modern telescopes, terabytes of data are produced per observation, maxing out even supercomputers. Participants will learn to think computationally to solve issues. Investigate challenges of working using large datasets: algorithm implementations that work; use of databases to manage data, as well as learning from data using machine learning tools. Gain skills in Python Programming; Machine Learning; Applied Machine Learning; and SQL.
International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes
International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes is a Social Sciences course offered by Universiteit Leiden. It is taught in English for about 17 hours. This is the second course in the new series on International Law in Action, and focuses on providing an insider perspective into the work done by international criminal courts and tribunals in The Hague. Explore how realistic the “age of accountability” as named by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon is. This theory states that anyone who commits the worst of human crimes will be held accountable, regardless of identity and position. Learn how international criminal justice functions; the actors, outcomes produced, and means of improvement. Gain skills in Justice; Criminal Justice; International Law; and Law.
Principles of Microeconomics: Social Microeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics: Social Microeconomics is an Economics & Finance course that forms part of the The University of Queensland’s Microeconomics professional certificate. It is taught in English for 6 weeks, with 1-2 hours weekly effort. Participants will learn about public goods and game theory via an investigation and analysis into how microeconomic concepts eg., price discrimination, and competitive markets, contribute to real world outcomes. Explore topics such as oligopoly, imperfect competition, game theory, and non rivalrous and non-excludable public goods, using practical and real world examples. Also, investigate asymmetric information and how firms deal with the problems of imperfect information.
Discovery Precalculus: A Creative and Connected Approach
Discovery Precalculus: A Creative and Connected Approach is a Maths course offered by The University of Texas at Austin. This course requires participants to have a mastery of mathematics up through the Algebra II or College Algebra level. It is taught in English, and lasts for 15 weeks. Participants will deepen their knowledge of functions, equations, and graphs from high school, as a way of preparing them for university level calculus. It centers on why the topics covered are important to the discipline, and not just their mechanism. Topics include: modeling of common relations and functions, sequences and series including the method of induction, as well as making conjectures, constructing logical arguments, and justifying your reasoning.
Introduction to Forensic Science
Introduction to Forensic Science is a Science, Engineering & Maths course offered by the University of Strathclyde. It is taught in English for 6 weeks, with a weekly study of 3 hours. This course is for everyone, however some of the content may be distressing to individuals, especially younger ones. This has however been presented in an objective and professional manner. Participants will learn forensic science, from crime scene investigations to reporting evidential value within a case. 4 major evidence types: DNA, firearms, drugs of abuse and impression evidence, are discussed via the exploration of a theoretical murder case in this 6-week framework. Join in to find out who the murderer is.
An Introduction to Cryptography
An Introduction to Cryptography is an IT & Computer Science course offerered by the Coventry University, and Institute of Coding. It lasts for 2 weeks, with a weekly study of 6 hours. It is part of the program Cryptography, which is one of the programs needed to bag a degree in MSc Cyber Security. Participants will explore how code breakers and spies influence cryptography, and investigate the role it plays in modern secure communication. Investigate the security of encrypted data; how to prove it, and test the algorithms. Get introduced to cryptography and cryptanalysis, starting from ancient spies to modern cryptography, and use it in exploring the basics of data security. Also try encrypting data yourself by completing a set challenge.
Introduction to Psychology: Sensation and Perception
Introduction to Psychology: Sensation and Perception is a Psychology & Mental Health course offered by the Monash University. It is taught in English for 2 weeks, with about 6 hours weekly study. This introductory course is for anyone interested in psychology, even though it might be of particular interest to learners who already completed a Bachelor’s degree in other disciplines, but still want to branch out and improve their science and research skills. Learn how our sensory systems work together to help us to perceive and respond to the world around us. Explore the role of touch, sight, hearing, taste and smell in our behaviour, as well as differences between perception and sensation. Also investigate why psychologists study sensation to better understand perception, which is a core component of our mental and behavioural processes.
All the courses described above are free to audit, however a small fee is required to purchase a certificate of completion. Financial aid is also available to those who qualify.
