Open education is a movement that makes online education courses available to everyone for free. Open courseware is even offered by reputable, established traditional schools, like MIT, Utah State University, and the University of Massachusetts. Here are some of the best free courses online by subject area.
Agriculture
These courses teach a wide range of topics, from conservation to veterinary science.
Source: Utah State University
2. Water Safety: Quality drinking water is one of the most important substances humans need. This course addresses potability and water usage.
Source: Utah State University
3. Agricultural Science and Policy I: Professors discuss agricultural systems and management.
Source: Tufts University
4. Agricultural Science and Policy II: In this course, students will delve deeper into agricultural systems.
Source: Tufts University
5. Plant Diseases and Chemicals: This class discusses the use of chemicals to control crop diseases.
Source: Utah State University
6. Tropical Ecology and Conservation: Birds and plants in Costa Rica are studied throughout this course.
Source: Tufts University
7. Human-Animal Relationships: With a view toward veterinary science, the interaction and interconnectivity of humans and animals are studied.
Source: Tufts University
8. Zoological Medicine: This course gives an introduction and overview to the groups of animals covered in zoological medicine.
Source: Tufts University
9. Animals at the Extremes: The Desert Environment: The different desert climates are studied as a habitat for the animals that live in them.
Source: Open University
10. Cattle Management: Professor Norris Stenquist specifically addresses the management of cattle during a drought.
Source: Utah State University
Business/Economics
With global connectivity increasing, business is expanding and building bridges between countries and continents.
11. An Introduction to Business Cultures: Business culture is explored with a look into companies renowned for it.
Source: Open University
12. Entrepreneurial Behavior: This course addresses how to build a team that will build your business.
Source: Open University
13. Building an Ethical Organization: The concerns with developing a human-centered company with ethics executed consistently are the focus of this course.
Source: Open University
14. Principles of Microeconomics: The principles and application of microeconomics is the basis of this class taught by Professor Jonathon Gruber.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
15. International Economics: Professor Dave Donaldson teaches the theory and real-word application of international economics.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
16. Principles of Macroeconomics: Basic principles of macroeconomics are taught by Professor Veronica Guerrieri.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
17. Financial Theory: Professor John Geanakoplos investigates global financial systems in business.
Source: Yale University
18. Game Theory: Taught by Ben Polak, instructs online students about strategic thinking and game theory.
Source: Yale University
19. Financial Markets: Risk and enterprise are explored by Professor Robert J. Shiller in 2011.
Source: Yale University
20. People and Organizations: Professor Thomas A. Kochan discusses the challenges and techniques inherent in the management of organizations.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Education
These free, online courses provide information on education, the family, and education technology.
21. Parents and Toddlers: Teaching and Learning at Home: This class focuses on the benefits and skills involved in early childhood education at home.
Source: Open University
22. Accessibility of eLearning: This course looks at using computers in teaching to make learning more accessible to diverse populations.
Source: Open University
23. Conversation on Instructional Design: Dr. Robert M. Gagne and Dr. M. David Merrill discuss their learning theories.
Source: Utah State University
24. Preschool Learning Standards and Guidelines: How to teach the content areas of preschool is taught by Angi Stone-MacDonald, PhD.
Source: University of Massachusetts
25. Research for the Classroom Teacher: The guided model design for teaching is discussed by Professor Nick Eastmond, PhD.
Source: Utah State University
26. Intellectual Development: Cognitive theory and development is covered in this course taught by David Henry Feldman.
Source: Tufts University
27. Engaging with Educational Research: Students learn about the theory and practice of research into education.
Source: Open University
28. What Makes a Great School?: Notable school Oxley Park is examined to find the qualities of a good school.
Source: Open University
29. Creating Open Educational Resources: An introduction for students to learn to create their own open-source educational technology.
Source: Open University
30. Learning and Practice: Agencies and Identities: The connections between places of learning are examined in this introductory course.
Source: Open University
Computer Science/Engineering
Computer and electrical engineering are career fields which are expanding as the world becomes more and more dependent on computers and technology.
31. Signals and Systems: This MIT course by Professor Dennis Freeman analyzes signal and system function.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
32. Designing the User Interface: This Learning Space course teaches about using color, text, images, moving images, and sound to facilitate a user friendly experience.
Source: Open University
33. Network Security: Firewalls and file encryption are discussed in this Learning Space Class.
Source: Open University
34. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming: Professor John Guttag teaches beginners (or those with no experience) in computer programming.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
35. Communication Systems I: Professor Jacob Gunther is primarily concerned with digital communication in this course.
Source: Utah State University
36. Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering: Professor Gilberto Urroz, PhD, offers expert teaching on engineering applications.
Source: Utah State University
37. Elements of Software Construction: Professors Daniel Jackson and Robert Miller from MIT instruct online students in the fundamental principles and techniques of software development.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
39. Computers and Computer Systems: Computers are an integral part of the world we live in. This course discusses the devices that we use every day.
Source: Open University
40. An Introduction to Data and Information: Students learn how computers process and work with information.
Source: Open University
Health
These free courses offer information on basic applied health subjects.
41. Nutrition and Medicine: This basic course offers an overview of nutrition principles.
Source: Tufts University
42. Human Growth and Development: Students will learn the developmental passage from conception to death.
Source: Tufts University
43. History of Public Health: This course travels through history with a look at the health of populations, guided by Graham Mooney, PhD.
Source: John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
44. Ethical Issues in Public Health: The moral dilemmas which arise in the field of public health are the focus of this course.
Source: John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
45. Public Health Biology: Several professors join together to conduct this study of biological effects on public health.
Source: John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
46. Managed Care and Health Insurance: This course provides a solid understanding of managed care plans in health insurance.
Source: John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
47. Microbiology: This microbiology course is focused on the principles involved with infectious agents.
Source: Tufts University
48. Epidemiology and Biostatistics: The fundamental principles of the field will be addressed in this course.
Source: Tufts University
49. Addiction and Neural Ageing: This Learning Space course addresses these two areas and how they interact.
Source: Open University
50. Principles of Drug Development: Professor Charles Flexner addresses how drugs come to be through preclinical and clinical development.
Source: John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
History
“Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” These courses help history students avoid the mistakes of the past.
51. Nineteenth Century Europe: The major European nations from 1815 to 1900 are discussed in this course.
Source: University of Massachusetts – Boston
52. African American History II: A historical look at the range of African American experiences to the 1980′s from the Civil War.
Source: University of Notre Dame
53. History of Utah: Professor John D. Barton teaches this course on Utah’s history, a unique state because of the prevalence of the Mormon Church.
Source: Utah State University
54. The Roman Empire: Introducing Some Key Terms: The culture of the Roman Empire is explored through basic terms.
Source: Open University
55. U.S. Institutions: The Constitution is used as the center of a study of the governmental processes of the United States, led by Professor Craig Peterson.
Source: Utah State University
56. History and Civilization: Professor Mark Damen, PhD, explores the development and history of western civilizations.
Source: Utah State University
57. The Age of Reason: Jeffrey S. Ravel teaches about European thought from the 17th through the 19th Century.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
58. The American Revolution: Professor Joanne Freeman concentrates on the changes which took place in America over the course of the American Revolution.
Source: Yale University
59. The Dark Ages: Taught by Professor Aiden Breen, PhD, this course discusses the invasions during the dark ages and the societal structures in Europe.
Sources: University of Massachusetts
60. France: 1650-1815: The Enlightenment, the Revolution, and Napoleon are major points addressed by Professor Jeremy S. Ravel in this course.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Language/Arts and Design
From English to Chinese, language and the arts are central to the culture of nations.
61. English Grammar in Context: This is an advanced course in using grammar appropriately within context.
Source: Open University
62. Technology for Professional Writers: Professor David Hailey, PhD, teaches accomplished writers the technical skills to succeed financially in today’s market.
Source: Utah State University
63. Modern Poetry: Professor Langdon discusses the techniques and concerns of modern poetry.
Source: Yale University
64. The American Novel Since 1945: Amy Hungerford, professor at Yale, leads students in a study of the development of the novel in this modern period.
Source: Yale University
65. Listening to Music: Professor Craig Wright teaches online students about western music through the aural skills involved.
Source: Yale University
66. French: En Ville: This quick, introductory course presents the French language in the context of visiting a French town.
Source: Open University
67. Spanish: Espacios Publicos: Beginning Spanish students learn an introduction to the language, culture and history.
Source: Open University
68. Dance Skills: Students learn dance moves and vocabulary in this Learning Space course.
Source: Open University
69. Understanding Theatre: Professor David Sidwell, PhD, introduces students to the theatre as a part of society.
Source: Utah State University
70. Classical Drama and Theatre: Dr. Mark Damen teaches this course analyzing Greek and Roman theatre.
Source: Utah State University
Math
Simple math concepts ranging to advanced courses are offered in free formats online.
71. Math’s Everywhere: Most students wonder at some point why they have to learn math. This course explores the reasons for studying this important discipline.
Source: Open University
72. Prices: Compare prices, create price indices, and study well-known price index structures in this course by Learning Space.
Source: Open University
73. Linear Algebra: Professor Gilbert Strang teaches this introduction to linear algebra and matrix equations.
74. Calculus I: This online course is the first in a series of three calculus courses by Catalin Zara.
Source: University of Massachusetts – Boston
75. Calculus II: Catalin Zara continues this excellent coverage of calculus topics.
Source: University of Massachusetts – Boston
76. Calculus III:
Source: University of Massachusetts – Boston
77. Single Variable Calculus: Professor Jason Starr of MIT introduces students to the basics of calculus.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
78. Differential Equations: Four professors collaborate to create this interesting delve into differential equations in the laws of nature.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
79. Exploring Distance Time Graphs: Learning Space explains how to create graphs displays mathematical information in this 12-hour course.
Source: Open University
80. A Look at Complex Numbers: This advanced math course is focused on defining and working with complex numbers.
Source: Open University
Natural Science
These high quality science courses deal offer university level exploration of several science disciplines from geology to biology, from physics to space.
81. General Biology I: This is a course focused on the basics of Biology taught by Brian White, PhD.
Source: University of Massachusetts – Boston
82. General Biology II: The principles of Biology are the center of this more advanced course by Brian White, PhD.
Source: University of Massachusetts – Boston
83. Principles of Chemical Science: An introduction to the basics of chemical composition is taught by Professor Catherine Drennan and Dr. Elizabeth Vogel Taylor.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
84. Organic Chemistry I: This MIT Open Courseware class taught by Dr. Kimberly Berkowski and Dr. Sarah O’Connor gives an overview of the structure and reactivity of organic molecules.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
85. Introduction to Modern Physics: This course moves from the revelation of Quantum to Einstein’s theories discussing the history and science of physics.
Source: Tufts University
86. Physics I: Exploring classical mechanics is the focus of this introduction to basic physics taught by Professor Stanley Kowalski.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
87. The Atmosphere, The Ocean, and Environmental Change: Professor Ronald G. Smith teaches this geology course dealing with the physical forces in the earth’s atmosphere.
Source: Yale University
88. Climate Change: This course is on climate changes and the controversies of global warming.
Source: The Open University
89. Electricity and Magnetism: Taught by Professor Walter Lewin has 36 video lectures on the subject.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
90. The Sun: This Learning Space course is focused on the quality and reactions of the center of our solar system.
Source: Open University
Social Science
Philosophy, psychology, and sociology are just the start of the social sciences addressed in these open courses.
91. Foundations of Modern Social Theory: This course addresses the major themes of social thought in the modern era.
Source: Yale University
92. Introduction to Psychology: Professor Jeremy Wolfe addresses mental life and human behavior.
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
93. Introduction to Philosophy: Taught by Professor Paul Weithman, this course is an introduction to university level philosophy.
Source: University of Notre Dame
94. Social Attitudes and Public Opinion: What impact attitudes have on behavior is the focus of this course taught by Michael Milburn, PhD.
Source: University of Massachusetts – Boston
95. Promoting Positive Development Among Youth: The principles of developmental science are applied to social work with the youth of the population in this class.
Source: Tufts University
96. Substance Abuse and the Family: Professor Gonzalo Bacigalupe, EdD, leads students in an investigation of how families with a substance abusing member function.
Source: University of Massachusetts – Boston
97. Cultural Anthropology: This course concentrates on the evolution of early societies.
Source: Utah State University
98. Ancient and Medieval Philosophy: This course will cover the works of Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and more.
Source: University of Notre Dame
99. Women in Islamic Societies: The historical treatment of women and gender issues in Islamic societies will be addresses in this course.
Source: University of Notre Dame
100. Death: Shelly Kagan teaches on what happens when we begin to reflect on the idea of mortality, especially our own.
Source: Yale University