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
In-person weekly • Short courses
An overview of the change of focus from classical physics describing an ideal world to a new approach, modelling nonlinearity and chaotic behaviour. Chaos theory describes a world where the smallest actions might have the greatest consequences.
- Mon 22 Apr 2024 – Mon 08 Jul 2024
- 10 meetings
- 7:00 – 9:00pm
Online - live • Short courses • Lecture series
The Greek word Logos means 'word,' 'reason' and 'order.' It's a central concept in philosophy, religion and science. We will explore Logos in these different fields, providing a powerful framework for understanding the world. 6 lectures with Femi Fadugba.
- Tue 23 Apr 2024 – 28 May 2024
- 2:00 – 3:15pm
In-person weekly • Short courses
This course looks at the importance of plants on our planet and the relationship between plants, humans, and the environment. The course will understand how plants survive in extreme environments and how scientific research can impact the food we consume.
- Tue 23 Apr 2024 – Tue 02 Jul 2024
- 10 meetings
- 10:30am – 12:30pm
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 24 Apr 2024 – 05 Jul 2024
In-person weekly • Short courses
We will look at the epoch-making work of Galileo and how he influenced Newton as well as the toppling of the Aristotelian world view. After Newton, we will look at more classical physicists and conclude with Relativity, Particle and Quantum Physics.
- Thu 25 Apr 2024 – Thu 27 Jun 2024
- 10 meetings
- 7:00 – 9:00pm
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Environment and sustainability
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