University of Leeds Courses

Environmental Challenges: Rights and Values in Ecosystem Services

3.7

Humans are very innovative, but we’ve also created many ecological problems. We’ve changed the face of the planet, fished the oceans, and we’re causing climate change through emissions.Designing institutional arrangements that recognise ecosystem services in the values we place upon natural systems will be an important way to help governing the planet, for both present and future generations.This course explores three approaches to rights and values, and applies these to ecosystem services around the world. It also includes advice on producing press releases about environmental issues.The course is suitable for anyone with a general interest in values and environmental decision-making; no previous knowledge or experience is required.If you are working in environmental management, or wish to learn more about it, 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.

Causes of Human Disease: Exploring Cancer and Genetic Disease

4.9

Understand the role of genes in cancer and genetic diseaseIt’s widely known that some diseases run in families. The discovery of the structure of DNA and the unravelling of the genetic code has led to a deeper understanding of such diseases. We now know more about the genetic basis of cancer and how cancer cells are formed and reproduce. On this course you’ll explore the structure of DNA, its processes and learn how genetic disease results from DNA alterations. You’ll look closely at the nature of these changes, causes and risk factors – this is vital in the case of cancer, as prevention has proved to be an effective way of managing this disease.The course is suitable for anyone with a general interest in the science behind causes of human disease. No previous knowledge or experience is required. If you are working in nursing, healthcare or social care, or just wish to learn more, 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.

World War 1: Changing Faces of Heroism

3.8

Did World War 1 make heroism meaningless or was it the conflict that gave it the most meaning? We’ve designed this course in partnership with the BBC to help you explore, discuss and challenge the ways in which World War 1 heroism has been remembered. Our experts will take you through the changing British, French and German views of heroism and discuss important similarities and differences.Through discussion and analysis of art, literature, film and television, guided by our experts, you will explore the portrayals of heroism before, during and after the war. Drawing on rarely seen archive, you will be curating a mini exhibition, exploring a war memorial and writing a review of a representation of war.Together we will examine the changing faces of heroism, from distant figureheads and brave warriors to the ordinary “Tommy” and front-line nurses. The emergence of alternative hero figures, including anti-war campaigners and vulnerable, shell shocked soldiers, is also covered. We hope you will join the University of Leeds and the BBC in a fascinating reflection on the place of heroism, in the centenary commemorations of World War 1.This course is part of a series designed in partnership with the BBC to commemorate the war.World War 1: Paris 1919 - A New World Order? (University of Glasgow)World War 1: Aviation Comes of Age (University of Birmingham)World War 1: Trauma and Memory (The Open University)

Collaboration, Communication and Remote Working

0

Whether you’re working with code, data, social media or any other computer-based job, being able to communicate with your colleagues is vital.Equally, being able to present your ideas effectively so you can get your colleagues on board can be key to efficiently completing a project.As our workplaces evolve, more and more people are working remotely. This is bringing new challenges to effective communication.On this program, you’ll learn how to effectively communicate with others, no matter where you are. You’ll hear from people starting out in their careers as well as experts who share their tips and techniques for successful collaboration.

Learning Online: Managing Your Online Identity

4.5

Many of us now have an online identity running alongside our everyday lives. In this course you’ll consider your online presence; you’ll discover how what we say and do online can have major implications for our real lives, and those of others. You’ll also spend time looking at how to assess and enhance your online identities to ensure that you can get the most out of being yourself online.This course is just one of a series about ‘learning online’, which introduces you to the essential skills and tools you need to study effectively online.This course is part of the Going to University collection which has been specifically designed for students at schools and colleges. They provide a taster of undergraduate study at the University of Leeds and help students to decide which subject to study at university.Completion of the courses will also enhance students’ university applications.The courses can also be used as a teachers’ classroom enrichment resource.Courses in this collection are also great for people that want an introduction in the specific subjects discussed in each course..

Starting a Business 5: Managing Finances

4.8

The management of finances is crucial to a successful business; financial information provides the evidence to support your decisions about a business and helps to justify those decisions when you present them to other people. Whether you have an idea for a future venture or you already have a side-line business whilst studying, this course will introduce you to key financial information and gives you a chance to discuss your ideas with others.This course is the fifth in a series of six about ‘starting a business’.This course is part of the Going to University collection which has been specifically designed for students at schools and colleges. They provide a taster of undergraduate study at the University of Leeds and help students to decide which subject to study at university.Completion of the courses will also enhance students’ university applications.The courses can also be used as a teachers’ classroom enrichment resource.Courses in this collection are also great for people that want an introduction in the specific subjects discussed in each course.

Election 2015 for AS Level Politics

0

This course is designed for students and teachers as a resource for studying the 2015 General Election. Delivered by a range of renowned politics experts, it will deepen your understanding of the election, as well as acting as an engaging revision tool.This online course, involving short learning activities spread over a 3 week period, will help you to review the key elements of the AS level syllabus on British democracy, before applying this learning to the 2015 election. You will participate in themed sessions on the contemporary British political landscape; voter participation and dissatisfaction; and how parties and leaders campaign.Throughout the course you will be able to apply and test your knowledge in interactive activities and short quizzes.During the course you will learn about, and have opportunities to debate, key challenges to the traditional political system, such as the emergence of parties like UKIP and the Greens, and the growing disconnect between voters and politicians. The last section of the course offers tips on how to watch the campaign, and intelligently read the polls and media commentaries.By critically examining the key issues and debates around Election 2015 and discussing them with academic experts and your peers, this short course will provide you with an excellent resource to support your revision. It will also help you prepare for a degree in this subject, such as the University of Leeds’s BA Politics.You can find out more about what to expect from this course in Dr Victoria Honeyman’s post for the FutureLearn blog: “Party leaders: the role of personalities in the UK General Election.”

Incarceration: Are Prisons a Suitable Punishment?

4.7

Explore the ethics of imprisonment and identify prison alternativesEngland and Wales have the highest incarceration rate in Western Europe. Almost a quarter of these prisoners are held in overcrowded prisons. On this course, you will take a look inside the prisons of England and Wales.You will consider the role of imprisonment as a form of punishment, and hear from ex-prisoners about their experience of being incarcerated. Through case studies, you will explore the challenges faced by the current prison system. You will identify alternative methods of punishment and rehabilitation, and learn about the debates that exist within the criminal justice system.This course has been ranked as one of the best online courses of all time by online course aggregator class central.This course is for anyone looking to investigate whether prisons are a suitable punishment for offenders.The course will be useful for professionals such as social workers, probation officers, and anyone that supports prisoners.This course is also useful for learners interested in studying criminology or related disciplines at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

WW1 Heroism: Through Art and Film

4.5

The centenary of the First World War is a time for reflection and exploration. In this short course you will discover just some of the ways that heroism is portrayed through art and film.You will explore recruitment posters and the messages they portrayed for both those going to war and those staying at home, as well as researching WW1 art and reflecting upon a painting you have chosen. You will then move on to explore contemporary German film, consolidating your learning by reviewing a recent book, film, or TV programme about the First World War.This course is part of the Going to University collection which has been specifically designed for students at schools and colleges. They provide a taster of undergraduate study at the University of Leeds and help students to decide which subject to study at university.Completion of the courses will also enhance students’ university applications.The courses can also be used as a teachers’ classroom enrichment resource.Courses in this collection are also great for people that want an introduction in the specific subjects discussed in each course.

A Nutritional Approach to Agriculture and Food Security

4.9

Modern agriculture and global food systems have become very complex and do not always provide people with affordable and nutritious food. This course presents current research, which aims to place nutrition at the heart of the food system. With a focus on the Global South, you’ll learn about the components of the food system and their link to nutrition and acquire the skills to implement and evaluate nutrition-sensitive interventions.Discover nutrition-sensitive food systems and develop nutrition skillsTo uncover the benefits of nutrition-sensitive agriculture, you need to understand key concepts in agriculture, food and nutrition research and learn about the role of crops and livestock in a healthy and sustainable diet.You’ll also acquire nutrition-specific skills used to evaluate food and diets and apply them in course activities.This will help you to design and assess nutrition-sensitive interventions. You’ll then examine research-led material on bio-fortification and other innovative food processing methods to understand how to diversify food production and improve the nutritional value of foods.Discover how to place nutrition at the heart of the food systemAs you conceptualise nutrition in relation to food systems, you’ll evaluate the consequences of nutrition-sensitive interventions and policies on socioeconomic and environmental aspects. You’ll also explore the role of different stakeholders and understand the crucial role of women in driving improvements in nutrition outcomes in households and communities.Learn from the experts at the University of LeedsThis course is based on research led by experts in agriculture, nutrition and environmental sciences from the University of Leeds, the University of Pretoria and FARNPAN.This is a skills-focused course designed for individuals with an existing interest in nutrition, sustainability and diet, in a global context. Learners will also learn practical skills that would help them to apply and evaluate nutrition-sensitive interventions in their own field of interest.

Creating Digital Content

0

On this program, you’ll develop your understanding of how digital content platforms work and learn how to use them more effectively both in and out of the workplace.You’ll build your confidence in creating engaging digital content as you debunk content myths and evaluate the employability of your online presence.You’ll learn how to identify suitable platforms for your needs as well as the right type of communication strategy and platforms.You’ll also critically evaluate the use of language in the online content you encounter and try out practical strategies to better communicate online.

Starting a business: realise your vision

3

If you dream of starting your own business, or are simply interested in the process of how ideas and visions become businesses, then this two-week course is for you.We will help you spot when an idea is genuinely a good business opportunity and then take you through the steps of how to turn it into a successful business. You will learn about the resources needed, how to target the right customers and the range of finance options available.This interactive course will help you understand and navigate the numerous challenges and critical decisions that entrepreneurs face as they go through the process of starting a business. You will do this through the eyes of enterprising students and graduates who have successfully started their own business, using video case studies, real life business plans and plenty of discussion. Throughout the course, you will be supported by university academics and experienced advisors, who will explain underlying principles and offer expert opinion.You can join in by sharing ideas and discussing your own thoughts with other learners and the mentors.You can also interact using polls to guess the course of action taken by the entrepreneurs at key points in their business development journey. Join this course to start your own journey to starting a business.

Ecology and Wildlife Conservation

4.5

Do you worry about the effects of climate change on nature?On this course, you’ll learn you how the work of conservation biologists and study of ecosystems can help with conserving the world’s biodiversity. You’ll explore the impact of wind farms on populations of seabirds, and understand how the use of advanced techniques can be used to study different populations.In Week 2, you’ll learn about ecosystems and how they’re influenced by human activity. You’ll use case studies to explore the reasons behind the bee decline across the world, and examine fish species in tropical seas to see at first-hand how climate change damages coral reefs.This course has been ranked as one of the best online courses of all time by online course aggregator class central.The course is for anyone with a general interest in ecology and wildlife conservation but it will be particularly useful for students at high school who want to study conservation biology, zoology or biology at university level. The course is part of the Going to University collection and completing it can help improve your university application by broadening your understanding of wildlife conservation and developing your independent learning skills. The course can also be used as a teachers’ classroom enrichment resource.

Assessment for Learning in STEM Teaching

0

Assessment for Learning is a term that’s widely used in education, but applied in ways that are variable in their effectiveness. This free online course - designed for STEM teachers in primary and secondary schools, and sixth form and further education (FE) colleges - will help you understand and use it more effectively.Understand Assessment for Learning in theory and practiceThrough this course, you’ll understand:the theory and science behind effective Assessment for Learning;how to use Assessment for Learning to elicit evidence about what’s going on in your learners’ minds;how to use this evidence formatively with your learners in your laboratory and classroom;how to write, judge and use the hinge questions that are central to Assessment for Learning in STEM.Enjoy your teaching moreAs the course progresses, you’ll be encouraged to try things out in your laboratory and classroom; actively reflect on what you discover in the process; and share your experience as part of the course discussions.You’ll also be invited to read some of the scientific literature about Assessment for Learning. Your learners will gain as a result - and you’ll enjoy your teaching more.Learn with Dylan Wiliam and Christine HarrisonThis course has been developed by the Science Learning Network in partnership with the University of Leeds. It gives you the opportunity to learn with two leading experts in STEM education and assessment:Dylan Wiliam: Emeritus Professor of Educational Assessment at the Institute of Education and author of Embedded Formative Assessment;Christine Harrison: Senior Lecturer in Science Education at King’s College London, Chair of the Association for Science Education, and former secondary school teacher.About the Science Learning NetworkThe national network of Science Learning Centres and Partnerships is a joint initiative by the Department for Education and the Wellcome Trust, run under the aegis of the White Rose University Consortium, which comprises Leeds, Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam, and York Universities.

Causes of Human Disease: Understanding Cardiovascular Disease

4.8

Understand the causes and management of cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular diseases are the leading global cause of death. On this course, you’ll learn how the cardiovascular system functions and understand common cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke, as well as the risk factors associated with them. You’ll also learn about blood pressure, blood sugar control and imbalances, and the role of these in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. You’ll investigate socio-economic factors in the development of cardiovascular diseases, and current management and prevention strategies.The course is suitable for anyone with a general interest in the science behind causes of human disease.No previous knowledge or experience is required. If you are working in nursing, healthcare or social care, or just wish to learn more, 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.