Online course

What Drives the Body?

Get an introduction to the different components and systems in the body that keep us alive and healthy.

What Drives the Body?

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Overview
Topics
Start dates
Requirements
Educators
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  • Duration 3 weeks
  • Weekly study 4 hours
  • Learn Free
  • Extra benefits From $74 Find out more
This course is part of the Understanding the Body program, which will enable you to develop your knowledge of the human body and earn 10 credits from the University of Aberdeen.

Find out how different parts of the body communicate with each other

Why is communication so important inside the human body?

This course will show you how the body’s communication system works, and how individual components produce energy.

You’ll learn about the key energy pathways used inside the body, and how different elements communicate effectively.

You’ll find out about the biomolecules involved in communication, and the role of endocrinology and immunology.

You’ll understand how the body regulates itself, and improve your knowledge of disease development and prevention.

What topics will you cover?

  • How does the body produce energy?
  • Why is communication important in the body?
  • The key communication pathways used by the body
  • Biomolecules used in communication
  • How the body regulates itself

When would you like to start?

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more

  • Available now
    This course started 15 April 2019

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Explain the importance of communication between different components of the body
  • Describe the role of endocrinology and immunology within the body
  • Classify and describe the key molecules involved in endocrinological and immunological processes
  • Describe the importance of homeostasis and synthesise examples of when and how this process is used in the body
  • Describe the key pathways involved in energy production

Who is the course for?

This course is aimed at anyone who is interested in how the body regulates and communicates with itself. Existing knowledge of components of the body is not essential but you may find it useful to complete What is the Body? first if you are completely new to biology.

Who will you learn with?

Lynsey Christie

Lynsey Christie

I'm a Teaching Fellow at the University of Aberdeen's Institute of Applied Health Sciences, specialising in nutrition. I have a particular interest in developing courses for online learning.

Kirsty Kiezebrink

Kirsty Kiezebrink

I am a senior lecturer with the University of Aberdeen. My main areas of interest are research methods and postgraduate skills development. I have a particular interest in online learning.

Who developed the course?

University of Aberdeen is the 3rd oldest Scottish and 5th oldest UK University. With 14500 students from 120 countries, it is a world leader in medical research, energy, environment, law and business.

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Introductory offer. Available until 11 May 2019. T&Cs apply.

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