UFOs: Scanning the Skies Teach-Out (FutureLearn)

UFOs: Scanning the Skies Teach-Out (FutureLearn)

Explore possible explanations for UFO sightings as you delve into fascinating accounts of unidentified flying objects. Unpack the myths and facts surrounding UFOs. Following the release of the U.S. Pentagon UFO report, there has been a surge of interest in unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). People across the world are gripped by the history of UFOs and the stories told by those who have witnessed them.

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

On this two-week course, you’ll hear from multidisciplinary experts to understand the importance of investigation and possible explanations for UFO sightings.

Understand what makes a compelling UFO report
The course will guide you through various UFO reports – a crucial aspect of the study of UFOs.
As you explore each one, you’ll learn what factors make a UFO report compelling and begin to understand what conclusions can be drawn.

Apply video analysis practices to UFO videos
You’ll have the opportunity to not only watch but also analyse UFO videos.
You’ll develop the skills and basic techniques used to analyse videos to critically observe UFO videos within the course, and beyond.

Discover how the UFO discussion relates to science and society
With a firm understanding of the history of UFOs, you’ll start to explore the position of UFOs within the larger conversation of science and culture.
Learning from the experts at the University of Michigan and beyond, you’ll hear from top researchers, and scholars in the field to develop your knowledge of the study of UFOs.

What topics will you cover?

  • History of unidentified flying objects (UFOs)
  • Possible explanations for UFO sightings
  • Analysis of UFO videos
  • UFO reports and ufology
  • Research into extraterrestrial life
  • Relation of UFOs to science and society

Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explain the history and cultural phenomena of unidentified flying objects (UFOs)
  • Describe a range of possible explanations of UFO sightings
  • Apply basic techniques used to analyze videos of UFOs
  • Reflect on the connection between UFOs and science and society
  • Summarise UFO reports and describe the study of UFOs

Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about UFOs. You don’t need any prior knowledge or experience.

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

Related Courses

Inside Cancer: How Genes Influence Cancer Development (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Bath

Inside Cancer: How Genes Influence Cancer Development (FutureLearn)

Understand how genetics influence the development and spread of cancer, with this free, introductory online course. What is the one thing that all cancers have in common? They begin as mutant or rebel cells! In this course we will explore how changes in cancer genetics and epigenetics enables these cells to grow uncontrollably, by exploiting our blood vessels and immune system along with other systemic changes.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Toxicology 21: Scientific Applications (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Toxicology 21: Scientific Applications (Coursera)

This course familiarizes students with the novel concepts being used to revamp regulatory toxicology in response to a breakthrough National Research Council Report “Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy.” We present the latest developments in the field of toxicology—the shift from animal testing toward human relevant, high content, high-throughput integrative testing strategies. Active programs from EPA, NIH, and the global scientific community illustrate the dynamics of safety sciences.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
How to Survive on Mars: the Science Behind the Human Exploration of Mars (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Monash University

How to Survive on Mars: the Science Behind the Human Exploration of Mars (FutureLearn)

Learn the basic science needed for humans to survive on Mars, with this free online science course. Mars has captivated the human imagination since the very earliest civilisations. It is the most explored planet in the solar system and that is unlikely to change. Getting to Mars is relatively easy, surviving on Mars will be the real challenge.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
Teaching in University Science Laboratories (Developing Best Practice) (Coursera) Coursera
University of Amsterdam

Teaching in University Science Laboratories (Developing Best Practice) (Coursera)

This course is developed to improve the effectiveness of laboratory classes in higher education. It aims to support teachers to improve their teaching skills for active learning in university science laboratory courses. It will show you how laboratory sessions can differ with respect to their aim and expected learning outcomes, how to engage students for learning and how to cope with their different levels of pre-knowledge and experience and probe their understanding. Last but not least it will show how you could assess students in laboratory courses.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Snow: What It Is and Why It Matters (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Luleå University of Technology

Snow: What It Is and Why It Matters (FutureLearn)

Explore the science of snow – how it forms, its different types, and how it can best be used. Learn all about snow from cold weather experts in Sweden. Snow can affect every aspect of life, from transport systems to business operations; that’s why it’s crucial to understand what exactly snow is, how it forms, and how we can manage it.

Oct 25th 2021
2 Weeks
Myths and Realities of Personalised Medicine: the Genetic Revolution (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
UNSW Sydney - University of New South Wales

Myths and Realities of Personalised Medicine: the Genetic Revolution (FutureLearn)

Learn about personalised medicine and the impact that our enhanced understanding of genetics has on modern medicine and society. Personalised medicine. Precision medicine. Individualised medicine. Customised medicine. Targeted medicine. All buzzwords of recent years that excite, confuse and infuriate the public, researchers and healthcare professionals. Broadly speaking, these terms all refer to the idea of tailoring treatment to individual patients based on their genetic code.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Genetics and Evolution (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

Introduction to Genetics and Evolution (Coursera)

Introduction to Genetics and Evolution is a college-level class being offered simultaneously to new students at Duke University. The course gives interested people a very basic overview of some principles behind these very fundamental areas of biology. We often hear about new "genome sequences," commercial kits that can tell you about your ancestry (including pre-human) from your DNA or disease predispositions, debates about the truth of evolution, why animals behave the way they do, and how people found "genetic evidence for natural selection." This course provides the basic biology you need to understand all of these issues better, tries to clarify some misconceptions, and tries to prepare students for future, more advanced coursework in Biology (and especially evolutionary genetics). No prior coursework is assumed.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Science Communication and Public Engagement (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Universidad Autonoma de Madrid,EIT Food,EIT,University of Turin

Science Communication and Public Engagement (FutureLearn)

Discover the importance of public engagement in science, and learn techniques to share and raise awareness of your research. Define your message and share your findings through social and traditional media. Good science communication ensures the public engage with and understand relevant scientific research. On this course, you will learn how best to share your science findings with your intended audience.

Jan 2nd 2023
3 Weeks
The Science Behind Forensic Science (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
King's College London

The Science Behind Forensic Science (FutureLearn)

Get an introduction to the science of forensic science and discover how it's applied in the real world. Discover the biology and chemistry behind forensic science. How does forensic science really work? How are scientific principles applied in crime scenes? Answer these questions and more with this course from the team who teach the longest-running forensic science programme of its type in England.

Self Paced
4 Weeks