 Price$150 |  Duration2 hours |  DeliveryOnline |  StartsAnytime |
About this course
Explore the science that shapes our understanding of Antarctica and its role in the future of our planet. The course takes you behind the scenes of Antarctic research, from the big questions scientists are investigating to the technologies and techniques that they rely on.
This comprehensive short course is part of the Antarctic Insights Course Series, an educational partnership between HX and the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). The series brings peer-reviewed polar science to anyone with an interest in the far south, whether you are preparing for a voyage, remembering one, or simply curious. This course stands alone, so no prior HX | UTAS study is required.
The course is organised into four parts. It shows how researchers collect evidence from ships, field camps, satellites and animals, how that information is analysed and shared to improve our understanding of climate change, ice sheets and marine ecosystems, and how you can contribute through citizen science, whether you are travelling to Antarctica or participating from home. Where a topic is covered in more depth elsewhere, you will be directed to the relevant companion course.
The course takes around two hours to complete. By taking this course, you are helping to fund the next generation of Antarctic researchers. A portion of your enrolment supports travel grants that enable researchers to reach departure ports, join HX expedition vessels and conduct new research, contributing to Antarctica's future as a continent for peace and science.
Course Structure
Understand why Antarctic science matters and the urgent questions researchers are investigating.
This part covers climate tipping points, rising sea levels and changing ecosystems, and how research expeditions are planned and supported in one of the most challenging environments on Earth.
Discover how scientists gather evidence from the Antarctic environment.
This part explores the use of research vessels, field camps, drones, robots, satellites and animal-borne sensors, and the laboratory techniques that allow researchers to investigate everything from ancient DNA to ice and marine ecosystems.
Follow the path from collecting scientific data to analysing, sharing and interpreting results.
This part explores how international collaboration helps researchers build a clearer picture of Antarctica, and how their findings inform global policy and environmental management.
Find out how you can contribute to Antarctic research.
This part explains how citizen science projects support researchers, whether you are travelling on an expedition or participating from home, and why reliable data collection and responsible participation matter.
What you will learn
Learn how scientific research builds our understanding of the Antarctic environment, the Southern Ocean and the processes that connect this remote continent to the wider Earth system.
You can work through the four parts at your own pace, in one sitting or one part at a time. The course includes interviews with researchers, a glossary to help you understand specialist terminology, and a quiz that allows you to test your understanding. Completing the quiz with a score of 50% or higher makes you eligible for a Certificate of Completion, and you can attempt the quiz as many times as you like.
You can also combine this course with others in the Antarctic short course series to build your own bespoke Antarctic learning journey.
Interested in further study?
Expand your Antarctic knowledge with our HX | UTAS Antarctic short course series.