EdX

From Atoms to Stars: How Physics Explains Our World (edX)

From Atoms to Stars: How Physics Explains Our World (edX)

Explore the universe through physics from the smallest micro particle to the vastness of galaxies. In this physics course, you will learn about the structure and function of our universe, from the micro-world of quantum fields and atoms up to the mega-world of stars and galaxies. You will learn about the objective laws governing the physical world and about methods, provided mainly by physics, which allow us to obtain such knowledge.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This course is taught by the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, one of the world leaders in nuclear science and education. Our hope is that this course will help boost your curiosity and positively influence or even help to determine your future professional career.

This course is for anyone is who is curious about how our world is constructed and wants to learn more about our universe and the nature surrounding us.
Knowledge of physics and mathematics is NOT required. Basic school level will be quite enough.

What you'll learn:

  • The structure and function of our universe
  • Basic structural levels of matter in the micro world
  • Basic structural levels of matter at a megascale
  • Objective laws governing the physical world
  • Methods in physics which allow us to obtain knowledge of our universe

Syllabus

Week 1-2: Go Deep: Atoms and Quants
Introduction to basic structural levels of matter in micro world and learning about approaches that physics is using to describe them.
Week 3-4: Go Up: Stars and Universe
Introduction to basic structural levels of matter at mega scale: from planets and stars to galaxies and the universe.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Cellular Polymers: Structure, Properties, Processing, Applications (edX) EdX
University of Bayreuth,BayreuthX

Cellular Polymers: Structure, Properties, Processing, Applications (edX)

Take our MOOC and dive deep into Cellular Polymers. Understand what makes them superior to other materials, how they are processed and why they are used in countless applications in our everyday life. This MOOC is your first step in the pioneering field of Cellular Polymers that connects chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, and technology. Get yourself ready and enroll now.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Fundamentals of Transistors (edX) EdX
Purdue University,PurdueX

Fundamentals of Transistors (edX)

This course develops a simple framework for understanding the essential physics of transistors, including modern nanoscale transistors. Important technology considerations and circuit applications are also discussed. The transistor has been called the greatest invention of the 20th century - it enabled the electronics systems that have shaped the world we live in. Today's nanotransistors are a high volume, high impact success of the nanotechnology revolution.

Feb 13th 2023
5-12 Weeks
Quantum Detectors (edX) EdX
Purdue University,PurdueX

Quantum Detectors (edX)

Learn about quantum sensors and devices that extract maximal information from the world around us. Classical detectors and sensors are ubiquitous around us from heat sensors in cars to light detectors in a camera cell phone. Leveraging advances in the theory of noise and measurement, an important paradigm of quantum metrology has emerged. Here, ultra-precision measurement devices collect maximal information from the world around us at the quantum limit.

Feb 12th 2024
5-12 Weeks
Advanced statistical physics (edX) EdX
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,EPFLx

Advanced statistical physics (edX)

We explore statistical physics in both classical and open quantum systems. Additionally, we will cover probabilistic data analysis that is extremely useful in many applications. This course covers non-equilibrium statistical processes and the treatment of fluctuation dissipation relations by Einstein, Boltzmann and Kubo. Moreover, the fundamentals of Markov processes, stochastic differential and Fokker Planck equations, mesoscopic master equation, etc will be treated in detail. Prior knowledge of statistical physics is highly recommended but not required.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Cavity Quantum Optomechanics (edX) EdX
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,EPFLx

Cavity Quantum Optomechanics (edX)

Fundamentals of optomechanics. Basic principles, recent developments and applications. Optomechanics is the study of the interaction between light and mechanical systems which can result in the manipulation of the state of both light and the mechanics. The nature of this interaction gives rise to a wide range of applications in both fundamental physics and technological advancements. In this course, you will learn the concepts and tools required for conducting research in the field of cavity optomechanics.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
On-Ramp to AP* Physics C: Mechanics (edX) EdX
Weston High School

On-Ramp to AP* Physics C: Mechanics (edX)

This course will help the students who have taken intro-level high-school physics to get ready for more advanced courses including AP Physics C: Mechanics. This short course is intended for the high-school students who have taken an introductory-level physics course, acquired some background in Mechanics and intend to take a more advanced course – for instance, AP Physics C.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
The Radio Sky I: Science and Observations (edX) EdX
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,EPFLx

The Radio Sky I: Science and Observations (edX)

Be captivated by the exotic objects that populate the Radio Sky and gain a solid understanding of their physics and the fundamental techniques we use to observe them. The serendipitous and unexpected discovery of radio emission from celestial objects opened up the possibility of studying a new and exciting view of the universe beyond the visible spectrum. Astronomers have been studying the cosmos in visible light since ancient Greece, but it is only in comparatively modern times that the universe beyond the visible spectrum has become accessible to us. In this course you will learn about the most important objects that emit in the radio regime, both within and beyond our own galaxy.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Is this Physics or Magic? Learning Physics through Minds-on Science Demonstration (edX) EdX
National University of Singapore,NUS

Is this Physics or Magic? Learning Physics through Minds-on Science Demonstration (edX)

Is this MOOC an introduction to Physics or Magic? Here's calling all curious minds from every corner of the globe to join us to learn physics via science demonstrations which are exciting, visually appealing and thought provoking. In this MOOC, you'll get to witness how demonstrations can add reality and vividness to the process of concept formation, and pick up one or two scientific nuggets along the way.

Sep 5th 2023
5-12 Weeks
Space Mission Design and Operations (edX) EdX
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,EPFLx

Space Mission Design and Operations (edX)

Learn the concepts used in the design of space missions, manned or unmanned and operations, based on the professional experience of the lecturer. This course builds on university level physics and mechanics to introduce and illustrate orbital dynamics as is applied in the design of space missions. Simple tools will be provided to allow planning of missions on orbit around Earth or in the Solar System. You will learn from the experience of Claude Nicollier, one of the first ESA astronauts, specifically through his involvement in the Shuttle project and his role in the maintenance of the Hubble Space Telescope on two occasions.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Quantum Networking (edX) EdX
Purdue University,PurdueX

Quantum Networking (edX)

Learn about the science and engineering of future quantum networks whose security is guaranteed by laws of quantum physics. Applying exotic quantum properties such as entanglement to every-day applications such as communication and computation reveals new dimensions of such applications. Quantum encoding and entanglement distribution provide means to establish fundamentally secure communication links for transfer of classical and quantum data.

Mar 27th 2023
5-12 Weeks