Natural sciences
Explore natural phenomena with Oxford University
Short courses in Oxford and online
Our courses in the natural sciences include biology, physics, astronomy and earth science, with some overlap into the medical and environmental sciences. Courses might be hands-on or philosophical, and might address topics as diverse as climate change, particle physics, animal behaviour, the universe or the brain.
Many of our short courses can be studied for credit, which means they can count towards a recognised qualification such as our Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education.
The video below was filmed during a past day school (Animals as Inventors) and is an example of what students can expect from our face-to-face classes. Presented by Dr Thomas Hesselberg, Director of Studies in Biological Sciences at the Department.
Upcoming courses
Online - flexible • Short courses
How old is the universe? How unusual is the Solar System? How will it all end? Oxford astronomers Chris Lintott and Robert Simpson provide an overview of the last 13.7 billion years of cosmic evolution, answering these questions and more.
- Wed 15 Jan 2025 – 28 Mar 2025
In-person weekly • Short courses
How does the stationary nature of plant life necessitate its connections with other living things? The course will explore plant behaviour as positive, negative, as well as neutral interactions with microbes, animals, plants, as well as humans.
- Tue 21 Jan 2025 – Tue 25 Mar 2025
- 10 meetings
- 10:30am – 12:30pm
Online - live • Short courses
A person’s body requires the ingestion of food components to fulfil its basic functions. This is referred to as Nutrition. You will learn about the main food groups and the methods for determining if a Diet provides enough nutrients and promotes health.
- Wed 22 Jan 2025 – 26 Mar 2025
- 10 meetings
- 2:00 – 3:00pm
In-person weekly • Short courses
Geology determines the underlying nature of landscape, but mankind has utilised, modified and shaped the Earth's surface through several millennia of occupation. We examine the roles of geology and people in forming a range of distinctive landscapes.
- Wed 22 Jan 2025 – Wed 19 Mar 2025
- 10 meetings
- 7:00 – 9:00pm
Online - live • Short courses
Introduction to the Energy Transition is a course that covers an increasingly important issue with respect to climate change, ecology, energy policies, supply disruption, and competition for energy.
- Fri 24 Jan 2025 – 04 Apr 2025
- 10 meetings
- 3:00 – 4:00pm
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Courses in the environment, sustainability, urbanism, wildlife conservation and ecology - whether your interest is professional or personal.Ecological survey techniques
Flexible postgraduate and online courses in ecological survey techniques for professionals working in field surveysMedical and health sciences
Postgraduate qualifications, short courses, part-time study and online courses in medical and health sciences