What you will learn
- Explain the fundamentals of chemistry, energy, and other elemental forces shaping the modern world.
- Describe the evolution of chemistry's role in addressing global challenges.
- Identify core concepts of energy and energy transformations, including thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, acid/base and redox reactivity, and electrochemistry.
- Understand the central role of chemistry in addressing global issues such as energy and climate change.
What technical forces are shaping the modern world? Revolutionary developments in the union of chemistry and physics hold the key to solving unprecedented global problems; however, understanding the central role that chemistry plays in addressing these problems and shaping our modern world requires a fundamental grasp of fundamental concepts of energy and energy transformations. Learn the foundations of chemistry in HarvardX’s University Chemistry MicroBachelors Program.
Taught by Harvard University Professor James Anderson, learners in this MicroBachelors program are given a robust understanding of chemistry, atomic structure, the principles of energy, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry. Each course builds on your prior coursework, applying concepts and analysis to real-world case studies and your daily lives.
In addition to chemistry, learners in this program will study industrial advances in solar cells, energy storage, and molecular imaging — and how international policies relate to these innovations. In addition, you will learn the role of energy in climate change and exactly how irreversible global climate change causes sea levels to rise and storms to become more powerful. You’ll explore how large-scale shifts in the climate structure trigger water and food shortages, as well as how technology advances to address these global issues.
Physical chemistry is fundamental to an understanding of worldwide energy sources and constraints. By the end of this MicroBachelors program, learners will have the quantitative reasoning and critical thinking skills to link the foundations of chemistry to the current global strategies for energy forecasts, technology connecting energy and climate, and role of modern materials science.
Courses in this program
HarvardX's University Chemistry MicroBachelors® Program
- 4–8 hours per week, for 10 weeks
Learn the fundamentals of chemistry and energy, from the types of energy to atomic mass and matter to enthalpy and thermodynamics.
- 4–8 hours per week, for 10 weeks
Expand your learning of chemistry and thermodynamics by exploring entropy, free energy, and equilibrium.
- 4–8 hours per week, for 10 weeks
Learn the significance of electrochemistry, understanding how electrical, chemical, and mechanical energy are linked.
- 4–8 hours per week, for 4 weeks
Demonstrate your chemistry knowledge in the final exam.
In order to be eligible for credit and a program certificate, you must purchase, complete and pass with a 70% or higher in all University Chemistry MicroBachelors® Program courses.
edX has partnered with Thomas Edison State University, a public university in New Jersey that specializes in adult education, who provides credit for MicroBachelors programs at no additional cost.
Please note, credit for this program is not provided by Harvard University. This program is awarded eight (8) academic credits at Thomas Edison State University towards a general elective course.
In order to redeem your credits please refer to these step-by-step directions. Learn more about credit.
- The job growth for Chemists and Materials Scientists is expected to grow by 5% from 2019-2029. (Source: US Bureau of Labour Statistics)
- The median salary for a Clinical Lab Technician is $54,180 and there is faster than average projected job growth of 11% from 2019-2029. (Source: US Bureau of Labour Statistics)
- The job growth for Environmental Scientists and Geoscientists is expected to grow by 10% from 2020-2030. (Source: US Bureau of Labour Statistics)
- Learning chemistry is crucial for pursuing a STEM career in life and physical sciences; specific roles include: Chemist, Materials Scientist, Clinical Lab Technician, Environmental Scientists and Geoscientists, and Sustainable Energy Engineer.
- Job prospects in Sustainable Energy is expected to grow. Wind Turbine Service Technicians and Solar Photovoltaic Installers, two of the fastest growing occupations, are each projected to grow by over 51% by 2030. (Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
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FAQs
- High-school algebra required; some familiarity with basic calculus is helpful but not required.
- The MicroBachelor’s program is geared towards an audience interested in gaining an understanding of chemistry and worldwide energy sources. By the end of this MicroBachelors program, learners will have the quantitative reasoning and critical thinking skills to link the foundations of chemistry to the current global strategies for energy forecasts, technology connecting energy and climate, and role of modern materials science. In addition to three courses - Energy and Thermochemistry, Entropy and Equilibria, and Electrochemistry - learners are required to complete, and pass, a final exam in order to receive undergraduate credit for this program.
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