Big History - From the Big Bang until Today (Coursera)

Big History - From the Big Bang until Today (Coursera)

Welcome to this Big History course! In this course, renowned scientists and scholars from the University of Amsterdam and beyond will take you on a journey from the Big Bang until today while addressing key questions in their fields. After completing this journey you will have developed a better understanding of how you and everything around you became the way they are today.

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

You will also have gained an understanding of the underlying mechanisms that have helped shape the history of everything and how they wil help shape the future. Last but not least, you will have developed the skill to use this knowledge to put smaller subjects into a bigger perspective with the aid of the little big history approach, which can help you develop some new ideas on these smaller subjects.

Syllabus

WEEK 1: Introduction - Cosmic History
WEEK 2: The History of Earth and Life
WEEK 3: Human History
WEEK 4: Wrap up

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

Related Courses

Control of Nonlinear Spacecraft Attitude Motion (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Control of Nonlinear Spacecraft Attitude Motion (Coursera)

This course trains you in the skills needed to program specific orientation and achieve precise aiming goals for spacecraft moving through three dimensional space. First, we cover stability definitions of nonlinear dynamical systems, covering the difference between local and global stability. We then analyze and apply Lyapunov's Direct Method to prove these stability properties, and develop a nonlinear 3-axis attitude pointing control law using Lyapunov theory. Finally, we look at alternate feedback control laws and closed loop dynamics.

Jun 22nd 2026
4 Weeks
Introduction to the Orbital Perspective (Coursera) Coursera
University of Florida,University of Arizona,Drexel University

Introduction to the Orbital Perspective (Coursera)

The goals of this course are to develop the student’s critical thinking skills, global awareness, and ability to work as an integral part of a team in an increasingly complex global job market. The course provides a foundation in such skills as team building, collaboration, and elevated empathy using real-world scenarios from some of world’s most effective collaborative projects including the Earthrise-2068 Project.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Biosphere 2 Science for the Future of Our Planet (Coursera) Coursera
University of Arizona

Biosphere 2 Science for the Future of Our Planet (Coursera)

Are you ready to take an incredible journey around Planet Earth and beyond? In this course, you will delve into a world of innovative science and learn from a team of Biosphere 2 and University of Arizona researchers. From plants and soils, to oceans and rainforests, the Moon, Mars, and more, this course is an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in science and Earth stewardship.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity (Coursera) Coursera
Stanford University

Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity (Coursera)

In this course we will seek to “understand Einstein,” especially focusing on the special theory of relativity that Albert Einstein, as a twenty-six year old patent clerk, introduced in his “miracle year” of 1905. Our goal will be to go behind the myth-making and beyond the popularized presentations of relativity in order to gain a deeper understanding of both Einstein the person and the concepts, predictions, and strange paradoxes of his theory.

Jun 15th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Física: Vectores, Trabajo y Energía (Coursera) Coursera
Tecnológico de Monterrey

Física: Vectores, Trabajo y Energía (Coursera)

Este curso provee al estudiante con conceptos y herramientas matemáticas para modelar problemas en física, que al aplicar podrá enfrentar con éxito los cursos de física universitarios. Así pues, la filosofía de este curso consiste en cubrir temas conceptuales relativos a la Física y desarrollar tu capacidad de aprender y aplicarlos en tu vida profesional.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Science of the Solar System (Coursera) Coursera
Caltech

The Science of the Solar System (Coursera)

Learn about the science behind the current exploration of the solar system in this free class. Use principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to understand the latest from Mars, comprehend the outer solar system, ponder planets outside our solar system, and search for habitability in our neighborhood and beyond. This course is generally taught at an advanced level assuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, but the majority of the concepts and lectures can be understood without these prerequisites.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Physics 102 - AC Circuits and Maxwell's Equations (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

Physics 102 - AC Circuits and Maxwell's Equations (Coursera)

This course serves as an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism. Upon completion, learners will have an understanding of how the forces between electric charges are described by fields, and how these fields are related to electrical circuits. They will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. The course follows the typical progression of topics of a first-semester university physics course: charges, electric forces, electric fields potential, magnetic fields, currents, magnetic moments, electromagnetic induction, and circuits.

Jun 22nd 2026
3 Weeks
Physics 102 - Electric Potential and DC Circuits (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

Physics 102 - Electric Potential and DC Circuits (Coursera)

This course serves as an introduction to the physics of electricity and magnetism. Upon completion, learners will have an understanding of how the forces between electric charges are described by fields, and how these fields are related to electrical circuits. They will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus.

Jun 22nd 2026
3 Weeks
Light and Materials (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

Light and Materials (Coursera)

This second course serves as an introduction to the physics of waves and light. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe wave propagation and light in the context of both geometrical and physical optics. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus.

Jun 22nd 2026
3 Weeks
Conceptos y Herramientas para la Física Universitaria (Coursera) Coursera
Tecnológico de Monterrey

Conceptos y Herramientas para la Física Universitaria (Coursera)

Este curso provee al estudiante con conceptos y herramientas matemáticas para modelar problemas en física, que al aplicar podrá enfrentar con éxito los cursos de física universitarios. Así pues, la filosofía de este curso consiste en cubrir temas conceptuales relativos a la Física y desarrollar tu capacidad de aprender y aplicarlos en tu vida profesional.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks