Learn about science with the Great Courses
Published on 11th April 2022
Are you interested in anthropology, palaeontology or molecular biology? Or would you like to cast a botanist’s eye over the marvellously diverse plant life on our planet? Or to take a guided tour of our solar system?
Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have a fantastic online resource for you. The Great Courses offers video-based learning that fits your life. You can watch at a time and place that suits you and learn at your own pace. There’s no homework, no tests, so no pressure.
Here’s a selection of the science courses on offer, and we hope you find something to capture your interest.
The World's Greatest Geological Wonders: Tour Earth's great diversity and beauty in this awe-inspiring course that visits the most amazing natural wonders in the world and explains the geology that underlies them.
Mysteries of Modern Physics: Time: Tackle one of the greatest problems in all of science-the nature of time itself-in this ground-breaking course by one of the foremost researchers in this field.
A Field Guide to the Planets: Take a trip, that's (okay, okay, we'll say it) out of this world, with our helpful field guide to our solar system's iconic planets.
The Botanist's Eye: Identifying the Plants around You: Join an experienced botanist for 24 richly illustrated lessons on how to ID-and better appreciate-the marvellous diversity of plant species.
Chemistry and Our Universe: How It All Works: Chemistry is the science of how everything interacts. An award-winning professor covers it all-from the periodic table to pH to poisons to plate tectonics.
Black Holes, Tides, and Curved Spacetime: Understanding Gravity: Peer into one of the great mysteries of modern physics-the force of gravity-in this brilliant and insightful course taught by an award-winning professor of physics.
The Theory of Everything: The Quest to Explain All Reality: Keep your eyes peeled for black holes on this mind-bending search for a theory that could explain everything. No, really: Everything.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: How Life Works: Immerse yourself in life at its most fundamental level. An acclaimed educator presents a sweeping survey of biochemistry and molecular biology-the "science of us."
Everyday Engineering: Understanding the Marvels of Daily Life: Explore the workings of the fascinating buildings, devices, and public utilities that we use almost every minute of the day, in this course taught by an award-winning professor.
Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals: Hunt through history in search of society's most suspicious scandals, crimes, and mysteries. Deerstalker not included.
Physics and Our Universe: An award-winning professor brings physics down to earth from everyday examples to universal principles.
Understanding the Quantum World: Open your mind and broaden your scientific horizons as you discover the quantum world is more accessible than you ever imagined.
Quantum Mechanics: Peer into the strange and wonderful world of quantum physics with this course that explains how the quantum world works and why it works that way.
Understanding Greek and Roman Technology: Expand your knowledge of Greek and Roman civilization with this in-depth study of their innovative technologies and feats of engineering.
Introduction to Paleontology: Explore the latest paleontological discoveries and what they reveal about life on Earth with the Smithsonian and an award-winning professor.
Introduction to Astrophysics: A Princeton astrophysicist teaches you how to solve the problems that sparked a new understanding of the universe.
Anthropology and the Study of Humanity: Biology, archaeology, language, and culture-gain a comprehensive understanding of humanity's development from an acclaimed professor and field researcher.
Life in the World's Oceans: An award-winning professor of marine science reveals the great diversity of life in the world's oceans.
Zoology: Understanding the Animal World: Join a zoologist at the Smithsonian's National Zoo for 24 lectures that reveal the scientific marvels of animal life on our planet.
To access the Great Courses, click on the Extras link on the Libby app (available to install on your device from Google Play - Android or iTunes - iOS).
Each course is taught by experts in their field, and includes a supplementary guide book. You can play, pause, and review information as often as you like. You can access as many courses as you want to for 7 days. After 7 days, simply log in again and get another 7 day’s access. Simply follow the prompts to find Dublin City Libraries, and register with your library card number and PIN. Just remember to put in Dublin City when asked, and not the name of your local library.
For more information on using Libby, check out our how to video. Or check out our previous blog on learning about history with the Great Courses.
If you don’t have a library card at the moment or if you need to renew your library membership, contact your local library and they will help you; see here for more information on library membership; or contact us at [email protected].
We’re always happy to help.