Coursera · Chris Impey, University of Arizona
Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space
A broad astronomy introduction examining the universe, astronomical observation, and the evidence used to study distant objects.
Explore physics, biology, chemistry, astronomy, and food-science courses, with guidance on mathematical prerequisites and working with evidence.
Science courses introduce ways to describe, measure, and explain the natural world. A broad survey builds orientation, while a university course may require sustained mathematical or laboratory reasoning. The right starting point depends on both your interest and your existing preparation.
Check prerequisites rather than relying only on a beginner label. Classical mechanics can require calculus, while an astronomy survey may emphasize concepts. Archived university material can teach enduring ideas well, but its age matters when the subject includes rapidly changing research.
Work through a problem or explain an observation in your own words. State what is measured, which model is used, and where the model may fail. For historical course material, distinguish foundational concepts from claims that need a current source.
Coursera · Chris Impey, University of Arizona
A broad astronomy introduction examining the universe, astronomical observation, and the evidence used to study distant objects.
Coursera · University of Virginia — Louis A. Bloomfield
Virginia introduces physics through skating, falling balls, ramps, seesaws, wheels and bumper cars, connecting everyday objects with mechanics.
Coursera · Duke University
A foundational chemistry course introducing matter, atomic structure, chemical reactions, and the quantitative reasoning behind reaction ratios.
Coursera · Georgia Institute of Technology
An introduction to electronic components and circuits, including diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers.
MIT OpenCourseWare · Massachusetts Institute of Technology
A free MIT mechanics course with lectures and problem-solving material on motion, forces, momentum, energy, and rotation.
MIT OpenCourseWare · Massachusetts Institute of Technology
An archived MIT biology course introducing biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and cell function through university-level material.
MIT OpenCourseWare · Massachusetts Institute of Technology
An archived university course on the behavior of solids and structures, connecting loads, deformation, material response, and engineering models.
Coursera · University of Geneva — Martin Pohl
Geneva introduces nuclei, particles, accelerators and detectors, then examines fundamental interactions and evidence for new physical phenomena.
Coursera · Rice University — Jason Hafner
Rice examines mechanical energy, momentum, collisions, statics and elasticity as the second course in its quantitative mechanics sequence.
Coursera · Rice University — Jason Hafner
Rice develops one- and two-dimensional motion and Newton’s laws through quantitative physics problems, with algebra and trigonometry expected.