200 Free Online Classes to Learn Anything
Published on Thursday 17th of January,
2008
By Jessica Hupp
A high quality education doesn't have to come at a high cost. In
fact, it's possible to take classes from big names like Yale, MIT,
and Tufts without ever submitting an application or paying a cent
in tuition. We've compiled 200 online classes from these and
other respected institutions, and you can take all of them with no
strings attached.
Natural Science
These courses cover physics, geology, natural phenomena, and
more.
-
Fundamentals of Physics
: Professor Ramamurti Shankar's
physics course from Yale covers Newtonian mechanics, special
relativity, and more.
-
Principles of Chemical Science
: Professors Ceyer and
Drennan of MIT provide this introductory chemistry course.
-
Frontiers and Controversies in Astrophysics
: Yale's
Professor Charles Bailyn discusses extra-solar planets, black holes
and dark energy in this course.
-
Life in the
Palaeozoic
: Take a look at the evolution that occured
in the Palaeozoic era.
-
General Biology
I
: Learn the basic principles of biology in this
course.
-
General Biology
II
: This course continues the principles from General
Biology I.
-
Physics I: Classical Mechanics
: Professor Lewin from
MIT discusses Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, and kinetic gas
theory.
-
Climate
Change
: Understand the basic science behind climate
change and global warming.
-
Quantum
Mechanics
: Get a working knowledge and comprehension
of quantum mechanical operations.
-
Organic Chemistry I
: Professors Berkowski and O'Connor
of MIT cover the basic principles of the structure and reactivity
behind organic molecules.
-
Earthquakes
:
Learn about these destructive natural disasters.
-
Comparing
Stars
: Get an introduction to stars and the
Hertzprung-Russell diagram.
-
Physics III: Vibrations and Waves
: Physics III with
MIT's Professor Lewin covers mechanical vibrations, waves, and
beyond.
-
Introduction
to Modern Physics
: This course discusses physics from
Max Planck to Einstein.
-
Superconductivity
:
Take a look at the phenomenon of superconductivity and its
applications.
-
Electricity and Magnetism
: Learn about
electromagnitism in everyday objects and beyond with MIT professor
Walter Lewin.
-
Evolution
Through Natural Selection
: Explore the theory of
evolution by natural selection according to Charles Darwin.
-
Physics for
Humanists
: Learn about classical and modern physics
with emphasis on the connection between science and society.
-
The Evolving
Universe
: This course discusses the "Big Bang" and
what is believed to have happened in the moments following.
-
Physics I
: Physics I with MIT professor Stanley
Kowalski is an introduction to classical mechanics.
-
The
Sun
: Get an in-depth look at the brightest star in our
universe.
Math
Study math, from simple prices to calculus in these courses.
-
Linear Algebra
: MIT professor Gilbert Strang discusses
matrix theory and linear algebra.
-
Exploring
Distance Time Graphs
: Learn how to present
mathematical information in graphs.
-
Differential Equations
: MIT professors Arthur Mattuck
and Haynes Miller present differential equations in this
course.
-
An
Introduction to Complex Numbers
: In this course,
you'll take a look at complex numbers and learn how they're
defined.
-
Calculus I
: Get an introduction to differential and
integral calculus in this course.
-
Calculus
II
: This course is a continuation of Calculus I.
-
Calculus
III
: Follow the continuation of Calculus I and II in
this course and learn about calculus of functions of several
variables.
-
Prices
:
Take a look at a number of different ways to compare prices.
-
Single Variable Calculus
: MIT's Professor Jason Starr
covers differation and integration of functions of one
variable.
-
Systems of
Differential Equations
: Learn how a variety of
situations can by modeled into linear differential equations.
-
Math
Everywhere
: Learn how to recognize math when you come
across it.
Engineering & Computer Science
Learn about computer networks, electrical engineering, and more
with these classess.
-
Circuits and Electronics
: Get an introduction to the
fundamentals of the lumped circuit abstraction from MIT's Professor
Anant Agarwal.
-
Network
Security
: Learn about the methods available for
network security.
-
Science of Sound
: This course covers 8 different
aspects of sound.
-
Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering
: In this
course, you'll find applications of approximation, interpolation,
and more.
-
Protocols in
Multi-Service Networks
: Examine protocols in networks
that interconnect devices for two-way communication.
-
Flash
:
Get familiarized with Macromedia Flash in this course.
-
Mathematical Methods for Engineers I
: Check out math
for engineers from MIT's Professor Gilbert Strang.
-
Signals and Systems
: Find out about systems
realizations, Fourier transform, and more.
-
Computers and
Computer Systems
: This course discusses the computers
we encounter in our daily lives.
-
Computer System Engineering
: MIT professors
Balakrishnan and Madden provide an overview of the engineering
behind computer software and hardware systems.
-
Communications Systems I
: This course covers analog
communication, including the basic Fourier transform
properties.
-
Fluid Mechanics
: This course covers fluid properties,
dynamics, flow, and more.
-
Information
on the Web
: Learn how to use the Internet as an
information resource.
-
Microelectronic Devices and Circuits
: Professor del
Alamo of MIT covers devices, circuits and systems in this
course.
-
Stochastic Processes
: Get an introduction to
stochastic processes, presented in communications, signal
processing, and more.
-
Introducing
ICT Systems
: Learn about what ICT systems are and how
they work.
-
Models and
Modeling
: This course discusses models and the
modeling process.
-
Soil-based Hazardous Waste Management
: Learn about the
engineering management of hazardous waste in this course.
-
Introduction to Algorithms
: Learn about the design,
analysis, and methods of efficient algorithms from MIT professors
Eric Demaine and Charles Leiserson.
-
Error Control Coding
: Get an understanding of modern
error control coding, with an emphasis on algebraic block
coding.
-
Designing the
User Interface
: Discover how user interface design can
create a user-friendly environment.
-
Uncertainty in Engineering Analysis
: This course
offers a study of probability and statistics for engineers.
-
Signals and Systems
: This course from MIT discusses
the fundamentals of signal and system analysis.
-
Accessibility
in Interaction Design
: Take a look at disabilities and
understand how you can create a design that's accessible to
all.
-
Mathematics for Computer Science
: MIT professors Meyer
and Rubinfeld introduce discreme mathematics for computer science
and engineering.
-
Biochemical Engineering
: This course covers
biochemical processes, thermodynamics, and kinetics.
-
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
: MIT
professors Grimson, Darrell, and Szolovits offer an introduction to
the principles of computation.
-
An
Introduction to Data and Information
: Learn how a
computer processes data into information.
-
Information Theory
: Explore the limits of the
representation and transmission of information in this course.
Language, Arts & Design
Get in touch with your artistic side by learning French,
studying poetry, and honing your dance skills.
-
Modern
Poetry
: This Yale poetry course with Professor Langdon
Hammer discusses modern poetry, including Yeates, Pound and
Frost.
-
French: En
Ville
: Learn basic French language skills that will
help you find your way around a French town.
-
Three-Dimensional Modeling,
Animation and Rendering Using Blender 3D Software
:
This course is an introduction to computer generated 3-D modeling
and animation.
-
Beginning
Latin: Grammar
: Learn the ancient language of Latin in
this course.
-
Finding
Information in Modern Languages
: Learn how to identify
and use information in Modern Languages.
-
Introduction to Writing:
Academic Prose
: Learn how to write academic papers in
this course.
-
Producing
Films for Social Change
: Learn about the basic
principles of video journalism, with special attention paid to
documentaries for social change.
-
Spanish:
Espacios Publicos
: This language course focuses on
Spanish as a communication tool, as well as Hispanic culture.
-
First Year Chinese I
: Get a basic understanding of
Chinese speaking and written languages in this course.
-
First Year Chinese II
: This course is a continuation
of First Year Chinese II.
-
Dance
Skills
: Learn this expressive art form as a way to
communicate through movement.
-
English
Grammar in Context
: Understand the complexities of
English grammar with this course.
-
Studing the
Arts and Humanities
: Get an introduction to studying
the arts and humanities, working on your learning skills.
-
Technology
for Professional Writers
: Develop technological skills
that are needed for today's writing industry with this course.
-
Understanding
Theatre
: Learn about the enjoyment of theatre as an
art form as well as theatre's application to daily life.
-
CALFNES
Spanish
: This Spanish course is deisnged for
non-English speakers.
-
Nature and the Built Environment
: This course
discusses architecture as it relates to nature, now and in ancient
cities.
-
Intermediate Writing:
Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode
: Develop
critical skills for persuasive research writing with this
course.
-
Classical
Drama and Theatre
: Take a look at ancient Greek and
Roman theatre in this course.
Health
You're not going to learn how to perform open heart surgery with
these classes, but they do offer a wealth of information.
-
Health Issues for
Aging Populations
: This Johns Hopkins course
introduces the study of aging.
-
Introduction to Biology
: MIT offers this course as an
overview of biology.
-
Introduction to Methods for
Health Service Research and Evaluation
: Get an
introduction to research within health services organizations and
systems with this course.
-
Principles of Drug
Development
: Learn about the principles behind drug
development in this course.
-
Implant
Dentistry
: Learn about implant dentistry in this
course.
-
Professional Issues in Nursing
: This course helps RNS
develop reading, thinking, and writing skills for university
study.
-
Epidemiology
of Infectious Diseases
: This course offers an
introduction to the basic methods for infectious diseases.
-
Addiction and
Neural Aging
: Take a look at specific issues in both
neural aging and addiction.
-
Public Health
Biology
: Get a molecular and biological perspective on
public health issues.
-
Population Change
and Public Health
: Learn about population size and the
way it changes public health.
-
Managed Care and Health
Insurance
: This course provides an overview of
insurance and managed care plans.
-
Health Assessment and Promotion
: Learn about health
assessment, the nursing process, and early detection in this
course.
-
Preclinical
Complete Denture Prosthodontics
: Learn about clinical
steps and lab procedures behind complete dentures and other
prosthodontics.
-
Genetics
: In this
course, you'll learn about genetic diseases and more.
-
Ethical
Issues in Public Health
: This course focuses on
ethical theory and issues in health policy.
-
Introduction
to Clinical Pain Problems
: Learn about the general
principles of evaluation and management of common pain.
-
STI Prevention: Using
Epidemiology to Inform Policy and Program
: Take a look
at the issues of sexually transmitted diseases and how they can be
controlled.
-
History of
Public Health
: Understand the historical experience of
health and illness.
-
Food Safety,
Storage and Allergies
: Discuss the safety of foods,
concerning their storage, additives, and food technology.
-
Human Growth
and Development
: Deepen your patient knowledge with
this course.
-
Microbiology
: Study
microbiology as it pertains to infectious diseases in this
course.
-
Concepts
in Economic Evaluation
: Understand economic evaluation
as it is related to public health.
-
Ethics
of Human Subject Research
: Learn about ethical theory
and principles as they apply to human subject research.
-
Comtemporary
Biosocial Problems in America
: Take a look at the
application of basic biological ideas to modern American social
problems in this course.
-
Opthamology
Grand Rounds
: Take a look at interesting cases from
the New England Eye Center Grand Rounds in this course.
-
Epidemiology
and Biostatistics
: Get the skills you need to critique
medical literature in this course.
-
Reproductive
and Perinatal Epidemiology
: Learn about current
research, issues, and problems in reproductive health and perinatal
epidemiology.
-
Renal
Pathiphysiology
: Learn how the kidneys adapt, all
about different disorders, and kidney therapy.
-
Nutrition and
Medicine
: In this course, you'll learn basic nutrition
principles.
-
Family Planning
Policies and Programs
: Learn about the issues and
strategies behind family planning programs, particularly programs
in developing countries.
Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine
Take on issues like the environment, veterinary health, and
conservation.
-
Agricultural
Science and Policy I
: Learn about natural resource
conservationism in this course.
-
Agricultural
Science and Policy II
: This second semester course
discusses plant nutrients, pests, breeding, and production.
-
Histology
: Learn about
the microscopic anatomy of animals in this course.
-
Cattle
Management
: Learn how to manage cattle under drought
conditions with this course.
-
Animals at
the Extremes: The Desert Environment
: This course will
show you how animal life adapts to survive extreme habitats.
-
Irrigation & Conveyance Control Systems
: Learn
about the measurement of flow rates and water levels in
irrigation.
-
Plant
Diseases & Chemicals
:
Discuss pesticides for the use of plant disease control.
-
Law
and Veterinary Medicine
: Get acquainted with the law
and ethics behind veterinary medicine.
-
Tropical
Ecology and Conservation
: Get an in-depth
understanding of tropical ecology and conservation biology from
this course.
-
Vegetable Gardening and Lawn Care
: This course covers
soil preparation, planting, and general care related to
gardening.
-
Veterinary
Respiratory Pathophysiology
: This course offers an
overview of respiratory physiology and structure.
-
Sprinkle & Trickle Irrigation
: Learn about the
design and evaluation of irrigation systems.
-
Water
Quality
: These videos cover water usage and drinking
water safety.
-
Population
Health
: Take a look at the relationship between animal
health, human health, public health, and more.
-
Human-Animal
Relationships
: Learn about the relationships between
animals and humans in this course.
-
Zoological
Medicine
: This course covers the treatment of
non-traditional species, such as wildlife, zoo species, and exotic
animals.
-
Surface Irrigation Design
: Originally developed for
the US Department of Agriculture, this course discusses the design
and evaluation of surface irrigation systems.
Law & Politics
Brush up on the law and the political process with these
classes.
-
Theories of
Public Policy
: Get a look at policymaking in this
course.
-
International Relations
: Learn the fundamentals of
international relations in this course.
-
Terrorism, Peace and Other Inconsistencies
: This
course takes a look at 9/11, terrorism, global security, and
more.
-
Judges and
the Law
: Learn about the ways in which judges
influence law.
-
Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley
: This political
theory course discusses the implications of women's rights as they
relate to mother Mary Wollstonecraft and daughter Mary
Shelley.
-
Introduction to Political Philosophy
: Get an
introduction to political science with Yale professor Steven B.
Smith.
-
Making and
Using Rules
: Learn how we interpret and apply rules,
and how they work in the English legal system.
Social Science
Learn about human phsychology, worldwide social issues, and more
with these courses.
-
Death
:
Yale's Professor Shelly Kagan discusses the issues that arise from
realizing one's own mortality.
-
Introduction to Philosophy
: This course offers a
topics-based introduction to philosophy.
-
Introduction to Psychology
: This psychology class from
MIT professor Jeremy Wolfe surveys questions about human
behavior.
-
Cultural
Anthropology
: In this course, you'll learn about
biological evolution, the evolution of civilizations, and
more.
-
Public Opinion
: Learn about attitude and public
opinion from this course.
-
Introducing
Consciousness
: Discuss the baffling aspect of
conciousness in our minds.
-
Introduction to Philosophy
: Get introduced to
philosophical questions in this course.
-
Ancient Wisdom and Modern Love
: This course takes a
look at romance and erotic love, combining philosophy and
literature.
-
Substance Abuse and the Family
: Learn about how
families with substance abusers function.
-
Promoting
Positive Development Among Youth
: Learn about applied
developmental science theory in this course.
-
Women in Islamic Societies
: In this course you'll find
a survey of issues relating to women in the Islamic world.
-
Introduction to Psychology
: Learn about dreams, sexual
desires, and other introductory psychology topics with Yale
professor Paul Bloom.
History
Learn from the past with these history courses.
-
19th
Century Europe
: Learn about life in 19th century
Europe in this course.
-
The Roman
Empire: Introducing Some Key Terms
: Go over key terms
that are necessary for an understanding of Roman history.
-
African American History
: Learn about the history of
African Americans.
-
History of
Utah
: This course covers the history of the state of
Utah.
-
US
Institutions
: Here, you'll find the US Constitution as
a focal point to institutions in America.
-
Islamic Societies of the Middle East and North Africa
:
This course discusses the religion, history, and culture of Islamic
societies in the Middle East and North Africa.
-
History
and Civilization
: Understand the development of
various Western civilizations.
Theology
Take a look at religious development, history, and more.
-
Introduction to the Old Testament
: Learn about the
religious life and thought of ancient Israel as well as the bible's
function as a foundational document in Western civilization with
Yale's Professor Christine Hayes.
-
Anthropology
of Religion
: In this course, you'll find an analysis
of religion as a cultural phenomenon.
-
Faith and the African American Experience
: Take a look
at the historical development in African American faith.
-
Foundations of Theology: Biblical and Historical
: This
course will familiarize you with the Bible and development of the
early Christian church.
-
Latino Theology and Christian Tradition
: This class
discusses latino theology and traditions.
-
Jews and Christian Throughout History
: This course
takes a look at the historical interaction of Jews and
Christians.
-
Religion
Today: Themes and Issues
: Discuss the presence of
religion in today's world.
Business & Finance
Use these courses to better understand management, economics,
and innovation.
-
Principles of Macroeconomics
: MIT Professor Huntley
Schaller's course gives an overview of macroeconomic issues.
-
Capital
Markets
: This course covers monetary policy, central
banks, and more.
-
Creating an
Ethical Organization
: Find out what you can do to make
your organization more ethical and responsible.
-
Fundamentals of Personal
Financial Planning
: This course is designed to make
financial consumers more aware of issues in financial
planning.
-
Introduction
to Economics
: In this course, you'll focus on economic
institutions, history, and principles.
-
Microeconomics
for Managers
: Here, you'll find an overview of
macroeconomic theory and policy.
-
Entrepreneurial
Behavior
: Find out what's involved in becoming an
entrepreneur.
-
Introduction
to Microeconomics
: This course will teach you about
the economics of the marketplace.
-
Understanding
Management
: Get a clear definition of "management" and
information on what's involved in being a manager.
-
Training and Human
Resources Development
: In this course, you'll learn
how to tailor training to your specific needs.
-
International Economics
: Learn about trade theory,
policy, and international finance.
-
The Concept
of Innovation
: Examine the concept of innovation, and
learn its differences from invention.
-
Medical
Product Quality Systems
: Learn about the quality
control issues behind medical products.
-
E-Marketing
:
This course, offered in Spanish only, discusses the use of the
Internet as a marketing tool.
-
International
Multilateral Negotiation
: Learn about the tools,
techniques, and rhythms of multilateral negotiation.
-
Spa
Operations
: In this course, you'll learn how to
operate a successful spa.
-
Managerial
Economics
: This course will teach you how to apply
microeconomics to management decisions.
-
An
Introduction to Business Cultures
: Learn about the
different cultures behind companies and how they act
conceptually.
-
Regulatory Requirements for
Pharmaceutical Products
: Learn about what's required
in pharmaceutical product creation.
-
Business
Analysis
: Take a look at the new partnership between
business and IT in this course.
Family & Education
These courses focus on family, children and better methods for
learning.
-
Introduction to Open Education
: Understand open
education issues like copyright, licensing, and sustainability, as
well as learn more about the open education movement.
-
Psychosocial
Aspects of Visual Impairment
: Better understand
students with vision impairments using this course.
-
Intro to Instructional Design
: Learn about the design
that falls into creating the processes of learning.
-
Producing Distance Education Resources
: Learn how to
produce resources for online education in this course.
-
Parents and
Toddlers: Teaching and Learning at Home
: See how
children learn at home, and learn about different at-home teaching
methods.
-
Why Teach
Art?
: Learn why art is an important part of the school
curriculum.
-
Marriage and Family Relationships
: Get a balanced
understanding of marriage and the family.
-
Understanding Online Interaction
: Better understand
how to develop learning environments by learning how people
interact online.
-
California Subject
Examination for Teachers
: Get the test preparation you
need for the CSET here.
-
Accessibility
of eLearning
: Understand the needs of a diverse
population of students with this course.
-
Conversation on Instructional Design
: Take a look at
learning theories, compare the events of instruction, as well as
Component Display Theory.
-
Learn
and Apply HTML
: Designed for instructors, this course
will walk you through creating educational pages with HTML.
-
Family Finance
: Learn how to manage family values and
finances with this course.
-
Data Visualization Theory and Practice
: Learn about
visualization and why it's important to use in educational
instruction.
-
Research for the Classroom Teacher
: Learn about a
teaching model called Guided Design, and how it can be implemented
in your classroom.
-
Instructional
Games
: Learn about using games to instruct, including
products currently on the market and in development.
-
Advanced Topics in Learning Object Design and Reuse
:
Understand how to create and reuse learning objects.
-
Blogs, Wikis, New Media for Learning
: Discover online
innovations that are effective for education.
-
Power of Positive Parenting
: This course offers
information on positive parenting.
-
Connecting People with Online Resources
: Learn how to
teach others to find high-quality online resources.
Additional Resources
The courses we've listed here are just the tip of the iceberg.
Check out these resources for even more free classes online.