5 free online courses released by Cornell University with no required payment

Cornell University is renowned for its academic excellence and commitment to providing education opportunities through innovative online learning formats. Recently, Cornell University released details about 5 new free online courses that are now available for anyone to take at their own pace with no requirement for payment.

The first new free online course is ENGL 110: Writing as Inquiry. This course is an introduction to college-level writing and focuses on helping students develop their critical thinking and analytical writing skills. The course does not require any prerequisites and can count as an elective credit. It involves weekly reading and writing assignments over 10 weeks with interactive peer reviews.

Next is ASTRO 201: Planets and Life in the Universe. This course explores the scientific search for life beyond Earth by investigating exoplanets, the origin of life on our planet, and the possibility of life elsewhere in the cosmos. Topics include the discovery of exoplanets, what conditions are needed to support life, and how scientists search for biosignatures in exoplanet atmospheres and surface features. No prior knowledge of astronomy is required.

The third free online course is ILRLR 1010: Introduction to Inequality in the U.S. This course examines historical and contemporary issues related to social inequality with a focus on race, class, gender, and sexuality. Students will analyze how social stratification impacts people’s life chances and experiences. Discussions cover public policy debates around addressing inequality. No prerequisites are needed.

Next up is BTRY 1104: Beer Sciences. This course explores the scientific principles behind the production of beer. Topics include agricultural production of raw materials, biochemistry of the brewing process, and quality control. Students will gain an understanding of the complex chemistry and microbiology that transforms raw ingredients into beer. No science background is required.

The last free online course from Cornell is AEE 3300: Food, Agriculture, and Society. This course critically examines complex issues at the intersection of food, agriculture, and society including food security, agricultural biodiversity, biotechnology, land access and tenure, rural development, and climate change impacts on farming. No prerequisites are required to take this online class.

All of these free online courses from Cornell University are self-paced and can be started at any time. Students can learn from online video lectures, engage with course material and discussion forums, and be evaluated through assignments, quizzes, and final projects. While these courses do not provide credits toward a Cornell degree, they offer a valuable opportunity for lifelong learners to gain new knowledge and skills at no cost. Anyone around the world can sign up for these courses through Cornell’s online learning platform.

In summary, these 5 recently launched free online courses from Cornell cover diverse topics from writing to the sciences and humanities. Learners from all backgrounds can benefit from their flexible self-paced structure and engaging course content from top Cornell faculty. With no payment or prerequisites required, these courses greatly expand access to Cornell’s exceptional education resources worldwide.

All the best!