Course Programme

Session 1: The Universe

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

Session 2: Astrobiology

• We will learn what is needed for life, examples of extreme life on Earth, and where we might find extra-terrestrial life. We will take a close look at the Moon and its interaction with Earth.

Session 3: Climate

• In this session we will learn about the changes in Earth’s atmosphere: weather and climate. We will discuss how the weather changes over short and long time periods.

Session 4: 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 5: Genetics

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

Session 6: Evolution

• We will learn how organisms evolved, how this gave rise to many species, and about major extinction events which limited diversity. We will take a close look at the evolution into modern humans.

Session 7: Disease

• We will learn 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.

Session 8: Neuroscience

• We will discuss the aspects of the brain: how it is build up and how it performs all it’s different functions. We will learn how brain cells work - and work together - and how memory is formed.

Session 9: Computers

• We will dive into the development of the first computers, and how they became the amazing machines we have today. We will learn about artificial intelligence and it’s many implications.

Session 10: History of science

• We will follow the history of science and scientific discoveries, recognising how it changed over decades and discussing modern day science.

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.

Weeks	Standard Rate	Internal Rate	Associate Rate
10	Early Bird: £226 Full price: £252	Early Bird: £135 Full price: £150	Early Bird: £178 Full price: £198
All fee rates quoted are for the whole course. Early Bird rates available 1 August to 30 September 2023 only. Part-payments are not possible.

 

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
• 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.

Web enrolment starts 1 August 2023. Early bird discounts are available from 1 August to 31 December 2023

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:

What is sent	When is it sent	What does it contain
1. Payment confirmation	Is sent straight away following submission of your online application	This is a receipt for your payment and includes payment date, order number and course title Confirmation of your place on your chosen course will follow later as long as the course recruits enough students to run. If not you will receive a refund of your payment.
2. Enrolment confirmation	Is usually sent within 10 working days. Please treat your payment confirmation as confirmation that your applicant details and payment have been received	Confirms your course choice Shows your course's term dates Confirms the day and time of your course
3. Programme information	Is usually sent on Friday late afternoon the week before term starts	Contains joining instructions for your course, either online or in the classroom, depending on the course
	If you need further help with the above information please ring 020 7594 8756 / +44 20 7594 8756. All enrolments are provisional until the course is confirmed to run. This will be dependent on the course reaching the minimum number of enrolments. All enrolments are subject to our Terms and Conditions. It is not possible to join one of our courses without agreeing to be bound by our Terms and Conditions.

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