University College London

This course provides introduces the main concepts and body of evidence that underlie our current understanding of the origin, structure, and evolution of the Universe. It offers exposure to the fundamental principles of special and general relativity and their significance to the evolution of the Cosmos. Topics such as stellar interiors, classification, and evolution along with galaxy dynamics are discussed in some detail. The course culminates with descriptions of current cosmological models and recent developments of the much discussed dark matter and dark energy mysteries, and what they entail to the evolution of the Universe.

Academics and practitioners have paid increasing attention to the role that politics plays in development. The course provides students with an introduction to this exciting turn in development theory and practice. Students learn about global development, as well as the fundamentals of politics and political economy. 

In this course, students analyze the interplay between migration and health, i.e. the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of migrants. The ability of a migrant to integrate into a host society is based upon combined mental, physical, cultural, and social well-being. Absence of physical ill-health is not by itself sufficient for successful integration in a host society. However, the structural inequalities experienced by migrants have a significant impact on overall health and well-being. 

Large organizations have specialized departments with annual budgets to analyze how industry-wide innovations can be adapted to gain competitive advantage. There is a gap in the industry for all-rounded professionals who understand how to quantify, apply AI-driven solutions and scrutinize these innovations and manage resulting business risks strategically. This course addresses this skill gap in the market, improves prospects for jobs that require such cross-disciplinary awareness and provides the basic knowledge for students to gain further professional qualifications.

This course builds upon students' primary knowledge of the heart and circulation. Contemporary views of cardiac and vascular physiology are considered. The course develops students' understanding of cardiac and vascular function in relation to cellular mechanisms, with an emphasis on translating this to the human subject and the pathology of various cardiovascular diseases. Practical sessions give first-hand knowledge and experience of two techniques for assessing cardiovascular functions: blood pressure and organ bath pharmacology.

The course begins by discussing the evidence for the origins of the solar system, the emergence of life, and the conditions under which it emerged, and the origin of eukaryotic cells. The theory behind reconstructing trees of evolutionary relatedness is introduced and patterns of relatedness in the living world discussed, ranging from familiar creatures to new and bizarre forms being discovered in the depths of the oceans and under the earth’s surface. All main branches of life are covered with a particular focus on the evolution of plants and their importance to global biodiversity and on the many groups of invertebrates and vertebrates including ourselves. In addition to lectures, students attend practical sessions in the Grant Museum of Zoology.