Understanding Science: An Introduction to Science

Course Programme (may be subject to some modification)

Session 1: The Universe

• In this session we will discuss the origin of the universe and discover how stars and planets are born. We will learn about the different objects which we can find in the universe today: galaxies, stars, and planets.

Session 2: Earth and the origin of life

• We will zoom in on the Earth and learn about how our Planet was formed. We will discuss the origin of life, and find out how this early life developed to the life forms we have today. We will discuss the current state of the Earth, mainly focussing on the planet’s climate.

Session 3: Quantum Physics

• We will discover the build-up of atoms, and the nature of the different elementary particles. We will learn how new atoms are detected and the laws of physics which apply at this smallest scale.

Session 4: Genetics and evolution

• In this lesson we will learn everything about the genetic code of life: DNA. We will discover how DNA determines what you look like, how it is inherited over generations and how it is involved in the evolution of species.

Session 5: The human body and neuroscience

• We will learn how the human body works, and the function of the different organs and tissues in our body. We will zoom in on one of the most important and mysterious organs: the brain. We will discuss how the brain is built and how it functions.

Session 6: Disease

• In this lesson we will discuss what can cause a disease and how the immune system is able to prevent diseases. We will discover how pharmaceuticals are designed to prevent and cure diseases.

Additional Reading

There is no compulsory reading required for this course, and there is no set course text. However, if you would like to read more on the subject you might enjoy the book:

Dr Linda van Keimpema is a science and education enthusiast. She studied bioengineering and neuroscience, and completed a PhD in molecular neuroscience. She has been teaching science throughout her life, in multiple formal and informal roles. Linda loves to spark scientific interest in others and has worked with students from all ages.

A previous student has said that "Linda is an excellent teacher - very enthusiastic, passionate, and approachable".

Rate Categories and Discounts

Standard Rate

• Available to all except those who fall under the Internal Rate or Associate Rate category.

Internal Rate

• Current Imperial College students and staff (incl. Imperial NHS Trust, Imperial Innovations, ancillary & service staff employed on long-term contracts at Imperial College by third-party contractors)
• People enrolling under our Friends & Family scheme
• Alumni of Imperial College and predecessor colleges and institutes, including City & Guilds College Association members
• Students, staff and alumni of the Royal College of Art, Royal College of Music and City, UAL and the City and Guilds of London Art School
• Students, staff and Governors of Woodhouse College and the IC Mathematics School

Associate Rate

• Austrian Cultural Forum staff
• Co-operative College members
• Francis Crick Institute staff, researchers and students
• Friends and Patrons of the English Chamber Orchestra
• Friends of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
• Friends of Leighton House/ Sambourne House
• Friends of the Royal College of Music
• Harrods staff
• Historic Royal Palaces staff
• Lycee Charles de Gaulle staff
• Members of the Friends of Imperial College
• Members of the Kennel Club
• Members of the London Zoological Society
• Members of the South London Botanical Institute (SLBI)
• Members of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
• National Health Service (NHS) employees
• Natural History Museum staff
• Residents of postcodes SW3, SW5, SW7, SW10 and W8
• Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council staff
• Royal Geographical Society staff
• Science Museum staff
• Staff of Exhibition Road Cultural Group (Discover South Kensington) organisations
• Students (non-Imperial College)
• Teachers and other staff of UK schools
• The American Institute for Foreign Study
• Tutors and other staff of institution members of the Association of Colleges
• Tutors and other staff of other universities and higher education institutions
• Victoria and Albert Museum staff

Late enrolment

It is possible to enrol on many of our adult education courses after the course has already started. For non-language courses this is subject entirely to agreement by the tutor. For language courses it is subject to agreement by the language coordinator conducting level assessment. If you want to join a course late do bear in mind there might be work you will need to catch up on, particularly in language courses.

Friends and Family Scheme

This course is eligible for allowing Imperial College students and staff to share their discount with their friends and family.

Enrolment via the blue booking link is open. Early-bird discounts are available until the end of 30 September 2024

Enrolment and payment run through the Imperial College eStore. When enrolling:

• Do check on the drop down menu above called "Course Fees and Rate Categories" to see if you are eligible for a discounted rate and also do make sure you select that rate when enrolling on the eStore
• If you are a first-time eStore user you will need to create an account before enrolling. You can do this by entering an email address and password. This account can then be used for any future enrolments via the eStore.

When you have enrolled you will be sent the following email notifications:

If you have any questions about the academic content or teaching of this course please contact the Course Tutor, Dr Linda van Keimpema, l.van-keimpema@imperial.ac.uk

If you have any questions about your enrolment or payment processes please contact the Programme Administrator, Christian Jacobi, eveningclass@imperial.ac.uk