Discovering Science: Global Challenges

Discovering Science: Global Challenges explores how chemistry plays a fundamental role in overcoming some of the modern issues that affect our everyday lives. In this two week course, leading academics from the University of Leeds will explain the challenges we face in two important areas: bacterial resistance global food security. Penicillin has been a major breakthrough in the treatment of patients. You’ll find out about the history of this class of antibiotics, and discover how bacteria have developed very efficient ways of resisting antibiotic treatment. With an urgent need to combat bacterial resistance, you’ll discover how scientists are treating patients with infections resulting from resistant bacteria. With the world’s population approaching eight billion people, there are increasing challenges to feed everybody. You’ll find out about strategies and interventions currently being developed, and the role that chemistry plays in finding solutions to food security. Intrigued? Then sign up for this short course to find out more. Earn credit from the University of Leeds This course is part of the Discovering Science program from the University of Leeds. If you complete all five courses in the program and buy a Certificate of Achievement for each, you will be eligible to complete an assessment that can lead to the award of 10 credits (or equivalent) from the University of Leeds. Gain key science writing skills This course is currently seeking CPD accreditation. Once accredited, it can be used to provide evidence of your continuing professional development. To learn about the fundamentals of science writing, it is recommended that you complete Discovering Science: Science Writing before taking this course. Your science writing skills are then further developed in this and three other topic courses in the Discovering Science program. Choose how you would like to learn If you have a general interest in this topic, you can work through the activities in around four hours each week. You will have the opportunity to check your understanding and spend some time joining the discussions. If you would like to know more about the topic, you can spend up to an extra one hour a week reading the additional materials and watching the videos provided in the ‘Downloads’ and ‘See also’ sections within some course steps. By doing this, you will have the required knowledge to attempt the end of course test. If you have more time to study, you can also complete the optional revision activity and join a live Q&A session in the second week of the course – this will help you when you attempt the end of course test. You will need to allow a further two hours a week to cover the revision tasks.