Science Courses

LEARN ADVANCED ANATOMY

• essential for in-depth learning about human anatomy
• lessons include surface anatomy, regional and systemic anatomy and radiographic anatomy, and cytology.
• talk with tutors and course writers as you study
• work as a sports coach, physiotherapist, nurse, teacher...  

An advanced anatomy course developed for people wishing to develop a career in health and human sciences, paramedical jobs and alternative therapists, especially massage therapists and other health care professions working in close contact with the patients body.

Topics covered include surface anatomy, regional and systemic anatomy, radiographic and diagnostic anatomy, plus cytology. 

This course assumes a basic understanding of anatomy, and is an ideal follow on from Human Anatomy and Physiology BSC101.

Explore how physics has been applied to create the world we now live in.

This course builds upon the Physics 1 course but focuses more on exploring ways that physics has been applied to create solutions to living in today's world.

LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOCHEMISTRY

Biochemistry 1 (Animal) BSC103  focuses on the biochemistry of humans and animals.  Biochemistry is an integral part of all human and animals health studies. Learn with highly qualified and experienced tutors the basis of life while studying in your own home.

Prerequisite: Some secondary school chemistry will be helpful though it is not essential.

Learn Fundamental Plant Biochemistry

- a foundation for work in botany, horticulture, agriculture and more. 

• Study the biochemistry of plants
• Learn about lipids, proteins and enzymes; nitrogen and the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis and respiration in plants, transpiration and assimilation, pH, chemical analysis
• Improve understanding of biochemistry applications

Biochemistry is the chemistry of living things. This course focuses on the biochemistry of plants, rather than animals or humans; though much of what is studied will relate to all types of living things.

Our Problem Based Approach for learning makes the learning experience practical and applied, helping you to understand, absorb and retain your new knowledge. Lessons cover: Biochemical substances and terms, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, metabolism, the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, acidity and alkalinity, nutrition, hormones, chemical analysis and biochemical applications in industry.

Student Comment: 'Having not finished high school myself and never studied biochemistry my confidence is a little low but the encouragement I am receiving from Honor [tutor] is a tremendous help and making it easier for me as I go. [The course] is helping me realize what I am actually capable of and that I am smarter than I thought. Thank you for making it possible for me to study my passion while still being able to work.' Melissa Smith, Australia, Biochemistry I.

Course Prerequisites: Some high school chemistry will be helpful though it is not essential.

BUILD YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF BIOCHEMISTRY 

Learn about the important building blocks of life including: Amino acids, proteins, sugars, polysaccharides, lipids, enzymes, vitamins, hormones, RNA and DNA. This course focuses on biochemical molecules. 

Biochemistry has its roots in medicine, nutrition, agriculture, and natural products chemistry. It covers many other areas as well, but today it is mostly is concerned with the chemistry of molecules found in and associated with living systems, especially the chemistry of these molecules. Biochemists are always trying to break processes down in order to understand how these work, how molecules are created or destroyed and how they relate and affect each other. With the advent of all the modern equipment and computer systems many biochemists also study intact systems and how each system functions and the other structures or processes that may be affected.

Recommended Course requisites: Biochemistry I (Plant) BSC102 or Biochemistry I (Animal) BSC103 or similar, before attempting this module.

DEEPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF ANIMAL BIOCHEMICAL PROCESSES 

This course is designed for people working or wishing to work in a human or animal health or science related profession, as practitioner, educator or researcher.

In this course we examine a wide range of detailed metabolic processes.  You will learn to explain a range of common biochemical processes including glycolysis and glycogen metabolism, lipid, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, enzyme activity, sugar and polysaccharide metabolism, electron transport, oxidative phosphorylation and movement across membranes and a range of other processes.  Enrol now to get the most out of this fascinating course. 

Prerequiste: Biochemistry II or equivalent

PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY III - ADVANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND CAREER

This course will deepen your knowledge on Biochemistry with an emphasis on plants. This is an advanced course in biochemistry that will give you a more thorough understanding on how life processes work, where living organism obtain their energy and nutrients and how these are processed to renew and develop new living materials.

Lessons cover: glycolysis, electron transport, oxidative phosphorylation, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, photosynthesis, nucleotide metabolism, enzymes, reproductive processes, hormones and more

Prerequisites: Biochemistry I and II or equivalent knowledge.

STUDY BOTANY ONLINE

The course contains the basis of plant science, and is an introduction to plant physiology and taxonomy, covering general botany including morphology and anatomy. 

Lessons cover: taxonomic classification of plants; cells and tissues;  specific vegetative parts of a plant; flowers and fruit; seed and the developing embryo; photosynthesis and growing plants; respiration; the role of water; movement of water and assimilates through a plant; the effects of growth movements.

Comments from our Botany students:

"Yes, the course was valuable. As a biologist I am looking to expand my knowledge base into ecological restoration. To date the information in this course relates well as supporting information to the restoration textbooks I am working through.

Although I have not presently capitalized on the course materials from a professional standpoint I foresee the knowledge gained from the course being very helpful in the future even if it is in a more subtle way than originally expected. Although much of the material was covered during my undergraduate studies, I was required to do a sufficient amount of research on my end to complete the assignments.
Through this process I feel I learned the material better than I did the first time around.  I feel the assignments built upon each other quite well. The necessity of the plant reviews continued to bring in not only the scientific aspects of botany but also the more practical knowledge that can be acquired, making the course that much more enjoyable.
My tutor not only provided me with information regarding where I had made errors but she also provided me with insights into how I could improve either my approach to answering the assignments or where I had missed some pertinent information".

Robert T. Magill, MS, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Utah USA, studying Botany 1 course.

"Very good. I like your challenging assignments".  

Marthe; studying Botany I.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANT PHYSIOLOGY

Lessons include: Flower physiology; Photoperiodism; control of flower bud initiation and development; dormancy; effects of plant associations and competition; respiration and post harvest physiology; post harvest storage, transport, retailing and shelf life; endogenous and synthetic growth regulators; risks involved with plant growth manipulation.

ACS Student comment: "I find the course quite interesting! At first glance the reading material and questions look so simple, but they actually require quite a bit of thinking and probing.  The course is very well designed!" - Joanne McLeod, Australia - Botany II course.

An essential foundation for anyone interested in human health, animal care and animal studies.

The cell is the basic unit of life. Its knowledge is most essential to understand how life works for higher animals and plants.

Lessons include: introduction to cells and their structure; cell chemistry; DNA, chromosomes and genes; cell division: meiosis and mitosis; cell membranes; protein structure and function; protein synthesis; food, energy, catalysis and biosynthesis; intracellular compartments, transport and cell communication; the cell cycle and tissue formation.

Learn about Drones and How they can be Used

Drones are finding increasingly diverse applications, across a wide range of industries including agriculture, horticulture, land management, construction, environmental management and telecommunications.

Learn the Basics of Electronics

Understand how electricity can be used to power all sorts of devices from a small torch light or computer to a sound system or large machine.

Study Environmental Chemistry

• The environment is full of chemicals. 
• Some are good, others are bad and some are of little consequence either way

Chemicals are not static either. They keep changing. Understanding the processes of change is the key to managing environmental chemistry. This course develops your fundamental understanding of these processes and the chemicals that inhabit the environment; giving you a foundation for managing environmental chemistry.

BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION; TAKE ON ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

A course to develop your understanding of the environment. It explains the way animals and plants are classified and named, the interrelationships between living things, and basic ecological concepts. Natural environments (forests, water environments, oceans), and man made environments are studied in detail. The course concludes by investigating the environmental problems of pollution and conservation in todays world.

Lessons include:  Living Things; Basic Ecology; Global Environmental Systems; Environmental Problems; Conservation; Acting Locally: Thinking Globally

Online Human Biology Course - Deepen your understanding of Human Anatomy.

•  This course is designed for people working or looking to work in the health care industry, or for people who want to have the basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. Lessons cover: cells and tissues;  the skeleton; the muscular system; the nervous system; digestion and excretion; physiological systems.

Our Students Say:

"The materials were clear and informative and lead you to explore other information. The online quizzes were a good way to check understanding. The assessments meant you needed to research in more depth. I have started an Occupational Therapy course at Uni so it has given me a good foundation. An excellent learning opportunity to work in my own time, but with support."

Lisa Greenhead, UK - Human Biology 1A (Anatomy and Physiology) course.

LEARN ABOUT ENERGY IN THE HUMAN BODY Bionergetics

• learn about the internal environment of the human body
• have considerations into energy use within the human body
• essential knowledge for health science students
• study biochemistry in context
• essential for the fitness trainer, health science and health care professionals, nutritionists 

Discover how energy affects our body, how to manage people's energy, where it comes from and what affects energy levels. Learn about energy and movement within the human body. What are the factors that makes us move better?. By understanding these factors you can better manage people's capacity to move, and to manage optimum levels of energy within their body.   

The lessons cover: energy and work; energy pathways; the acid-base balance; osmosis & diffusion; atmospheric pressure; temperature regulation; ergogenic aids to performance

Prerequisite:  A basic understanding of body systems (e.g. Human Anatomy and Physiology).

 Learn About Muscle Biology

EXTENT YOUR ANATOMY KNOWLEDGE

This course describes why humans see, touch, smell, taste and hear the world around us like we do. It also shows with practical examples how our body is able to move and how to improve flexibility, performance and posture. The course guides you to a better understanding of the operation of muscles and nerves, in movements and reactions observed in the body.

This course covers: nerves, the nervous system, skeletal muscle, muscle organisation, motor skills, structure & function of skeletal muscle, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility amd muscles and posture.

Prerequisites: Human Biology BSC101 or equivalent.

KEEP WITH THE BEAT, STUDY CARDIO RESPIRATORY PERFORMANCE

Breathing is the most important function in the human body, it is the first function that keeps us alive. This course provides you with knowledge to improve your energy levels and prevent ageing with correct respiration.

This course covers: blood, blood pressure, pulmonary ventilation, gas exchange & transport, blood flow and gas transport, cardiorespiratory control, cardiorespiratory disease, and more. 

Prerequisite: Human Anatomy & Physiology BSC101 or equivalent.

Learn the fundamentals of Forensic Science

Generally speaking, forensic science is the application of any scientific knowledge to the law. 

It draws on principles and methods of traditional sciences as well as specific forensic science techniques such as anthropometry, fingerprinting, and blood stain analysis.  Evidence gathered using scientific principles is prepared for submission in courts where it must be presented impartially, and the ultimate test is how well it stands up in court.

Learn online to improve your medical English.

Do you need to communicate with Doctors and patients?

• A special course designed for people working or wishing to work in medical environments, with no medical training, to develop skills to communicate clearly and effectively using medical terminology.

• This course is relevant to anyone working or wishing to work in fields of health, alternative medicine or paramedical areas; such as reception for a doctor or natural therapist.

Learn Microbiology and it's application across many industries, including:

• Agriculture, horticulture and food production
• Food technology and management
• Human Nutrition
• Human Health Care
• Veterinary Health Care
• Environmental management
• Industrial (mining) microbiology
• Pharmaceuticals
• Genetic engineering

Study the Nature and Applications of Nanotechnology.

Nano Technologies have applications in many industries including:

• Electronics and I.T.
• Agriculture 
• Biomedicine
• Environmental management
• Energy
• Construction

• Start any time
• Study from anywhere and at your own pace

Gain an advanced understanding of human physiology.

An advanced course on human physiology that will develop further your understanding of the principles of physiology, examining functions of the cells, tissues and systems of the human body. The course details how our bodies maintain internal equilibrium and health while exposed to the most variable range of conditions, such as physical, psychological and environmental factors. 
A course designed for health therapists and all those working in health care that want or need to develop a deeper understanding of the human body processes and health maintenance.

Prerequisite: Human Anatomy & Physiology  BSC101 or equivalent.

Learn more about the nature and principles of plant ecology

and apply that understanding to the cultivation of plants.

Plant ecology is the science that studies and describes why plants are located where they grow, what makes them grow there, and how they relate to other living beings, such as plants, animals, humans and other organisms.

The course is a basic foundation for people wishing to pursue a career in sciences, environment, agriculture, gardening, landscaping, organic farming, permaculture and herbal medicine, and for all people interested in the natural world.

Online Research Project

Plan and conduct research into a relevant industry related topic of your chosen area of study.

Improve the value of your research to industry

To further develop the student’s ability to monitor, analyse and evaluate a common process (or processes) relevant to their stream studies. (For the purpose of this unit, a "process" is defined as any distinct series of events or changes over a period of time, and which is directly related to the area of study). Prerequisite: Research Project I or equivalent

Study the Chemistry of Soil and Water.

• Learn the chemistry of soils and water and applications in agriculture, health and environmental management.
• Learn about interactions between soil, water, and the environment.
• Study soil fertility, testing methods and much more.
  
   

Get Better with Statistics 

• use statistics efficiently
• use statistics in science - make predictions or conclusions
• knowledge is invaluable to plan, collect and interpret data
• deal with data confidently  

Become efficient in the use of statistics

Develop your career with this course in Statistics. If you want to develop scientifically-based research studies, this is your starting point. Learn how to interpret data sets using established statistical analysis. This  100 hour course such as this provides the most essential knowledge and skills required by consultants and researchers in a wide variety of disciplines.

Lesson cover: distributions; measures of central tendency; the normal curve and percentiles and standard scores; correlation; regression; inferential statistics; the t test; analysis of variance; chi square test.

Learn about Vertebrate Animals, from fish to mammals and their biology, and classification.