Coursera

Confronting The Big Questions: Highlights of Modern Astronomy (Coursera)

Offered by University of Rochester,
Confronting The Big Questions: Highlights of Modern Astronomy (Coursera)

An introduction to modern astronomy's most important questions. The four sections of the course are Planets and Life in The Universe; The Life of Stars; Galaxies and Their Environments; The History of The Universe.

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

Syllabus

Week 1
Are we alone in the Universe?
Planets and Life in The Universe - Exoplanets searches, exoplanet census, astrobiology

Week 2
How do Stars Evolve and Die?
The Life of Stars - Star formation, fusion and stellar middle age, black holes and stellar death-

Week 3
What Exists Outside our Galaxy?
Galaxies and Their Environments - Galaxy types, Active Galactic Nuclei, Clusters of Clusters of Galaxies

Week 4
What is the Fate of the Universe?
The History of The Universe - Why the Big Bang? A History of Time, What Happened Before the Big Bang

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

Related Courses

Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Physical Sciences (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Physical Sciences (Coursera)

Humanities

What is the origin of our universe? What are dark matter and dark energy? This is the first part of the course 'Philosophy and the Sciences', dedicated to Philosophy of the Physical Sciences. Scientific research across the physical sciences has raised pressing questions for philosophers. The goal of this course is to introduce you to some of the main areas and topics at the key juncture between philosophy and the physical sciences.

Aug 24th 2026
4 Weeks
Neuroscience Cosmology Universe
Details
From the Big Bang to Dark Energy (Coursera) Coursera
The University of Tokyo

From the Big Bang to Dark Energy (Coursera)

Sci: Physical & Earth Sciences Sci: Physics

We have learned a lot recently about how the Universe evolved in 13.7 billion years since the Big Bang. More than 80% of matter in the Universe is mysterious Dark Matter, which made stars and galaxies to form. The newly discovered Higgs-boson became frozen into the Universe a trillionth of a second after the Big Bang and brought order to the Universe.

Aug 10th 2026
4 Weeks
Astronomy Universe Energy
Details
Conceptos y Herramientas para la Física Universitaria (Coursera) Coursera
Tecnológico de Monterrey

Conceptos y Herramientas para la Física Universitaria (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Physical & Earth Sciences

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.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Math Physics
Details
Journey of the Universe: The Unfolding of Life (Coursera) Coursera
Yale University

Journey of the Universe: The Unfolding of Life (Coursera)

Humanities

Journey of the Universe weaves together the discoveries of the evolutionary sciences together with humanities such as history, philosophy, art, and religion. The course draws on the Emmy-award winning film, Journey of the Universe, and the book from Yale University Press. Journey explores cosmic evolution as a creative process based on connection, interdependence, and emergence. It examines a range of dynamic interactions in the unfolding of galaxies, Earth, life, and human communities. It investigates ways in which we understand evolutionary processes and the implications for humans and our ecological future.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Earth Life Universe
Details
Magic in the Middle Ages (Coursera) Coursera
University of Barcelona

Magic in the Middle Ages (Coursera)

Humanities History

Magical thought has always attracted human imagination. In this course we will introduce you to the Middle Ages through a wide conception of magic. Students will have an approach to medieval culture, beliefs and practices from the perspective of History and History of Science. Popular magic, as well as learned magic (alchemy, geomancy and necromancy) will be addressed. Moreover, we will also deal with how eastern practices and texts influenced western culture. In July 2016, the course will contain a brand-new module devoted to astrology. Magic in the Middle Ages offers a captivating overview of medieval society and promotes reflection about certain stereotypes associated with this period.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Astronomy History Middle Ages
Details
Philosophy, Science and Religion: Religion and Science (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

Philosophy, Science and Religion: Religion and Science (Coursera)

Humanities

Philosophy, Science and Religion mark three of the most fundamental modes of thinking about the world and our place in it. Are these modes incompatible? Put another way: is the intellectually responsible thing to do to ‘pick sides’ and identify with one of these approaches at the exclusion of others? Or, are they complementary or mutually supportive? As is typical of questions of such magnitude, the devil is in the details. For example, it is important to work out what is really distinctive about each of these ways of inquiring about the world. In order to gain some clarity here, we’ll be investigating what some of the current leading thinkers in philosophy, science and religion are actually doing.

Aug 11th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Science Evolution Universe
Details
Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 1 (Coursera) Coursera
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 1 (Coursera)

Sci: Biology & Life Sciences Engineering

Nanotechnology and nanosensors are broad, interdisciplinary areas that encompass (bio)chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, electrical engineering and more. The present course will provide a survey on some of the fundamental principles behind nanotechnology and nanomaterials and their vital role in novel sensing properties and applications. The course will discuss interesting interdisciplinary scientific and engineering knowledge at the nanoscale to understand fundamental physical differences at the nanosensors.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Biology Physics Chemistry
Details
Physics 101 - Energy and Momentum (Coursera) Coursera
Rice University

Physics 101 - Energy and Momentum (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Physics

This course serves as an introduction to the physics of energy and momentum. Upon completion, learners will have an understanding of how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe the motions and interactions of objects all around us. They will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus.

Aug 10th 2026
4 Weeks
Physics Energy Mechanics
Details
Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds (Coursera) Coursera
University of Arizona

Astrobiology: Exploring Other Worlds (Coursera)

Sci: Physics

How are astronomers approaching their search for life in the universe? What have we learned from the surge of exoplanets discoveries? How likely is it that Earth does not host the only life in the Universe? In this course we explore the field of astrobiology, an emerging multidisciplinary field. Progress in astrobiology is driven by telescopes on the ground and in space, and by new insights on how life emerged on Earth and its diversity.

Aug 24th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Universe Astrobiology Solar System
Details