It is often perceived that not many young people are attracted towards science. The natural curiosity about nature that is present in very young children is often dampened when they grow up and get more interested on everyday social interaction with their peers. As a result, those of us who teach science degrees in university have the interest and responsibility of engaging the young students and introduce them into science topics, so that they can make an informed decision about their future career.

Scientists at the University of East Anglia, in collaboration with the Biochemical Society UK, have had the initiative of setting up a course to introduce young people into biochemistry, covering its background, history and contemporary significance in the life sciences. The course is prepared in the MOOC style, as an online course that anyone can follow at their own pace. Start dates are 25 June and 1 October this year.

MOOC = Massive Open Online Course

You are invited to spread the word among your relatives, friends or students.

What topics will be covered?

• Skills from biochemistry
• A brief history of biochemistry
• Everyday biochemistry
• Metabolism and bioenergetics
• Bioenergetics
• Future developments in bioenergy
• Natural products and healthy living
• Future developments: new technologies in the molecular sciences
• Getting involved in biochemistry

Full information and registration at https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/biochemistry

Poster image from FreeImages.com/Dan MacDonald