Education Courses
Universities Without Borders offers a range of different courses that span across STEM, humanities, the arts, and more vocational careers-based topics (such as finance and law). In terms of difficulty/complexity, our education courses are written at an undergraduate university standard.
Below is a selection of our self-study courses that are available to download for free.
An Introduction to the 2008 Financial Crisis
Subject Areas: Finance; Economics; Politics
An introduction to the Subprime Mortgage Crisis of 2008. Investigate the role of Residential Mortgage Backed Securities, Collateralized Debt Obligations, Credit Default Swaps, and NINJA loans in the collapse of investment banks such as the Lehman Brothers. Learn about how 'greenlining' policies led to aggressive subprime lending and contributed to the collapse of the global financial system.
An Introduction to Ecosystem Services (ESS) and ESS Valuation
Subject Areas: Ecology; Economics; Biology; Geography
An introduction to the theoretical fundamentals of ecosystem services (ESS) and the complex debates surrounding ESS valuation. In Part 1, learn about the basics of ecosystem service provision and the findings in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) of 2005. In Part 2, investigate reasons why we should, and why we should not, value ESS. This includes discussion of monetary, non-monetary, market, and non-market valuation methods.
An Introduction to the Key Themes of Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan (1651)
Subject Areas: Politics; Philosophy
This course provides an introduction to the key macro themes within Thomas Hobbes' most notable book, Leviathan. Explore the key themes of the 'State of Nature' (or, 'the war of all against all') and Hobbes' argument on the means in which men can escape this undesirable and miserable condition. Next, investigate why, for Hobbes, escaping the state of nature is only possible through unlimited sovereignty.
An Introduction to Natural Resource Management
Subject Areas: Geography; Biology; Ecology
An introduction to the numerous debates surrounding natural resource management. Investigate the history of conservation, preservation, and command and control management techniques. Next, learn about the critical perspectives which build on the limitations of conservation (especially in the Anthropocene era). These include Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), planetary boundaries, and resilience-based management approaches.
Cell Structure: Phospholipid Bilayers and Transmembrane Transport
Subject Areas: Biology; Medicine
Note: it is highly recommended that students have a background in higher level biology before taking this course.
An introduction to cell surface membranes, the phospholipid bilayer, carrier proteins and protein channels. Explore the passive and active ways in which molecules move across membranes through simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion and active transport.