University of Leeds program

Discovering Science

Explore the fascinating world of everyday chemistry and earn 10 academic credits from the University of Leeds.

Discovering Science

Overview
Details
Pricing
Educators
Overview
Details
Pricing
Educators
  • Overview 5 courses + 1 assessment
  • Duration 13 weeks
  • Learn Free
  • Credential $370 + £300 More info
  • Program Academic credential

Learn about the extraordinary world of everyday chemistry, and earn 10 academic credits from the University of Leeds

The Discovering Science program consists of five short online chemistry courses. Each course looks at how chemistry plays an important role in our everyday lives, by exploring topics such as advances in modern medicine, food, climate, and household products.

Through case studies and discussions, explore how research is responsible for significant scientific developments. Take a look at science in action, and find out more about what the future holds for scientific discoveries.

Each course includes exercises for you to complete which will allow you to practice your science writing skills for blog posts, press releases, interview questions, and video scripts.

Accessible for free on desktop, tablet or mobile, the five courses can be taken in any order. However, it is recommended that you join the Discovering Science: Science Writing course first, as this will help you make the most of the science writing activities in each of the topic courses. The science writing course will be open throughout the program so you can join it at any time.

This program provides a flexible way to enhance your understanding of chemistry principles, whilst continuing your professional development (CPD).

Academic credential program

When you complete all five courses in the program and obtain a Certificate of Achievement for each, you will be eligible to join a final assessment course that leads to the award of 10 credits from the University of Leeds.

Duration
10 weeks recommended learning
3 week assessment course
Price
$370 USD (course costs)
£300 GBP (assessment cost)
Overview
5 courses + 1 assessment
Credential
10 credits from the University of Leeds

What skills will I learn?

This program is intended for anyone interested in learning more about chemistry and science writing. By the end of the program, you will be able to:

  • produce a science narrative and convey your message for different written formats;
  • explore science at the molecular level considering cancer chemotherapy and medical imaging;
  • investigate how chemistry plays a fundamental role in overcoming two of the issues that affect our everyday lives: bacterial resistance and global food security;
  • explore the development of new ‘bio-inspired’ materials and discuss how chemistry is used in the development of consumer products;
  • and reflect on climate and pollution science and investigate atmospheres of other planets in and beyond our solar system.

Courses on this program

5 courses + 1 assessment

University of Leeds

Discovering Science: Science Writing

What science discoveries will you choose to write about?

2 weeks
5 hrs per week
University of Leeds

Discovering Science: Medicinal Chemistry

What role does chemistry play in healthcare and our ability to diagnose and treat patients?

2 weeks
5 hrs per week
University of Leeds

Discovering Science: Global Challenges

Can chemistry help to feed a growing population, or overcome increasing bacterial resistance?

2 weeks
5 hrs per week
University of Leeds

Discovering Science: Chemical Products

With chemistry providing us an endless amount of possibilities, what would you choose to develop?

2 weeks
5 hrs per week
University of Leeds

Discovering Science: Atmospheric Chemistry

What can we learn about Earth, and other planets in and beyond our solar system, by studying their atmospheres?

2 weeks
5 hrs per week
Assessment

Discovering Science: Final Assessment

Revise, practice and then test the knowledge and skills you have gained through self, peer and tutor marked assessments. Write a report (...

How does our pricing work?

Start Learning Free
$370 USD - Course Upgrades
£300 GBP - Final Assessment

Can I learn for free?

Programs are made up of short courses, most of which you can join for free.

However, if you want to take the final assessment and unlock the award or accreditation for the program, you must upgrade each individual course or buy Unlimited to gain a Certificate of Achievement for all the courses in the program.

How do course upgrades work?

If you want to spend more time on course material and better demonstrate what you've learned, you may choose to upgrade each course. You can upgrade your courses at any point after you enrol.

When you upgrade a course, you get ongoing access to the course material for as long as the course exists on FutureLearn. This means you can return to the subject whenever you like.

You will also be given access to any course tests, and the ability to qualify for a downloadable and printed Certificate of Achievement to show what you’ve achieved.

How does Unlimited work?

If you have Unlimited, you will get access to all of the short courses in this program, plus hundreds of other short courses and tests for a year.

You have the ability to learn at your own pace throughout the year and gain digital Certificates of Achievement on all your courses.

If you gain a certificate on a course, you will keep access to the course’s content beyond your Unlimited year so you can revise the content whenever you need.

Unlimited costs $199 for a year. Find out more about Unlimited.

What is the final assessment?

The final assessment is designed to rigorously test your understanding of the subject. This test is marked by experts and enables you to demonstrate your learning to yourself and to employers.

The assessment is summative and may include a multiple-choice test, or tutor-marked assignment.

Passing the final assessment unlocks the academic or professional recognition associated with completing an entire FutureLearn program, plus a FutureLearn Award.

To be eligible for the final assessment, you must upgrade on each individual course or buy Unlimited and attain a Certificate of Achievement for all of the courses in the program. The final assessment must be purchased separately.

Are these the final prices?

Yes. There are no additional fees. The price you see here includes everything - such as test fees, tuition and any additional accreditation provided by the course.

Learn from academic experts and leading researchers

The Discovering Science program has been developed by the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds. The University of Leeds is one of the world’s top 100 universities and part of the Russell Group of leading UK universities, and Times Higher Education University of the Year for 2017.

The School of Chemistry was ranked equal 4th in the UK for research impact in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), with all work being rated as internationally excellent or leading.

In each course, Paul Taylor, Professor of Chemical Education, will introduce his academic colleagues from the School of Chemistry. Each expert will focus on a specific area of research, by introducing historical perspectives. They will then look at examples of interdisciplinary research within the University of Leeds, which that have led to significant scientific breakthroughs in the field.

Who will you learn with?

Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor

I'm from Holmfirth in Yorkshire. I'm a Professor at the University of Leeds. I'm a Pro-Dean and research cancer & evolution https://physicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/staff/210/professor-paul-taylor

Martin McPhillie

Martin McPhillie

I'm a research scientist/Teaching Fellow within the School of Chemistry at the University of Leeds, interested in the structure-based design of novel medicines for infectious diseases.

Gain evidence of your continuing professional development

The courses within this program are seeking certification from the CPD Certification Service which means they can be used to provide evidence of your continuing professional development.