Discovering Science

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 The course is suitable for anyone with a general interest in chemistry; no previous knowledge or experience is required. If you are working in the field of science and would like to practice and improve your science writing skills, this course is designed to support you as a professional. By completing all aspects of the course you will have achieved 14 hours of CPD time. If you intend to complete the Discovering Science program , it is recommended that you complete Discovering Science: Science Writing before starting this course, however this course can still be studied independently. You can use the hashtag #FLchallenges to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

The origins of penicillin and the research behind antibiotic development.
The way in which pencillins kill bacteria.
Introduction to the molecular structure of the penicillins and how their structure underpins their antibacterial properties.
The ways in which some bacteria types are able to become resistant to antibiotics.
The clinical research of a consultant in infectious and travel medicine.
The challenges behind educating people in the proper use of antibiotics.
The ways in which chemists are making contributions to overcoming the problem of bacterial resistance.
The ethical issues associated with powerful medicines, and the appropriate uses of them.
Assignment: prepare interview questions to demonstrate an understanding of the ethical issues behind a scientific topic.
The uses of chemistry in addressing the challenges of feeding a growing population.
The role of chemical crop protection agents and the development of agrochemicals.
The way agrochemical products are discovered and designed.
The discovery of the World’s most widely used fungicidal agent, Azoxystrobin.
The multidisciplinary nature of the discovery of new biologically active molecules.
The uses of natural crops and their genetically-modified alternatives.
Sustainable options for feeding a rapidly growing population.
Alternative methods of agriculture that complement the use of chemical crop protection agents.
Assignment: a peer reviewed task to write a blog post on a scientific topic.

Reviews summary

Global science challenges and chemistry

According to learners, this course offers a highly positive look at how science, particularly chemistry, addresses pressing global challenges like antibiotic resistance and feeding the world. Students found the content accessible and clear, making it suitable even for those with no prior science background. The course provides a solid overview of complex topics, broken down into manageable parts. While the assignments are generally seen as valuable for applying concepts, some learners noted that the quality of peer review they received could be inconsistent, representing a potential neutral point depending on individual experience. Overall, it's considered an engaging introduction.

Good intro, some desire more detail.

"While great for a general overview, someone already familiar with these topics might find it a bit basic."

"I found the introduction excellent, but I did wish for a little more depth on some of the chemical mechanisms discussed."

"It's a broad survey, which is perfect if you want an introduction, but don't expect deep dives into every sub-topic."

Assignments build practical skills.

"The assignment to prepare interview questions was a useful way to apply what we learned about ethical issues."

"Writing a blog post in the peer-reviewed assignment was interesting, although the quality of feedback from peers varied significantly."

"Assignments felt relevant to the course material and helped solidify my understanding, despite the inconsistent peer review aspect."

Provides a good introduction to subjects.

"Gave me an excellent overview of antibiotic development and resistance, covering key scientific aspects."

"The sections on agrochemicals and sustainable agriculture were a great introduction to those fields."

"Covered the topics sufficiently for a foundational understanding without getting bogged down in excessive detail."

Clear explanations for non-experts.

"Perfect for someone like me with absolutely no science background! The explanations were easy to follow."

"I was worried this might be too technical, but the instructors did a great job making complex ideas understandable."

"Didn't require any previous knowledge, which was exactly what I needed as a complete beginner to chemistry topics."

Connects science to real-world problems.

"Loved how the course connected the scientific concepts directly to major global issues like antibiotic resistance and feeding the population."

"It was fascinating to see how chemistry is being used to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing humanity today..."

"The focus on real-world challenges made the science feel incredibly relevant and important."

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Learners who complete Discovering Science: Global Challenges will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Reviews summary

Global science challenges and chemistry

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