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This course will focus on the most important astronomical discoveries from ancient times into the 21st century. This will be light on technical details, while still explaining the science, and focusing on the people who made these amazing discoveries. We’ll provide the significant background of the individual’s life and the interesting stories of what they learned, leading us to our current understanding of the universe. A few of the super stars of astronomy such as: Aristotle, Claudius Ptolemy, Tycho Brahe, Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton, Edwin Hubble, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking plus more. This course is a follow up to the more technical “Astronomy 101” class from past semesters but is not a prerequisite. It is suggested you take both in no specific order. Astronomy 101 will return in the spring.
On Campus Session
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Cattle are among the most influential and significant protagonists of modern history. The flesh, milk, fat, skin, and other components of these animals found their way into nearly every aspect of human life, from food and medicine to clothing, shelter, and fuel, while structuring land and labor regimes and social relations. Beyond their labor and flesh, though, cattle have complex social and emotional lives themselves. This lecture highlights some of the historical, social, cultural, and ethical debates arising from human exploitation of cattle and their implications for our daily lives.
On Campus Session
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Many of us think climate change is a problem for far in the future. But it's not. We are all being affected now. If your health or property have not yet been impacted, then your homeowner's insurance has. In this class we will not only specifically explore how climate change is impacting our daily weather, but also examine indirect consequences such as its effect on homeowner's insurance, agriculture and our food supply.
On Campus Session
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Few cultural developments have affected Christians and their thought more than the rise of science. We’ll explore the relations between religion and the developing sciences in the thought of Nicolas Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, and Charles Darwin.
On Campus Session
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Science overwhelmingly asserts the existence of Dark Matter and Energy, but has no idea how these possible phenomena might affect you. Avoiding math and technical language, we will discuss why scientists think this. But more importantly, we will explore the astounding implications of Dark Matter and Energy on our World and on you. Topics will include the nature of life, the reliability of science, the continuation of humanity, and the survival of the soul.
On Campus Session
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DNA sequencing has revealed that most humans with non-African ancestry carry approximately 2% Neanderthal DNA in their genome. Given that Neanderthals went extinct some 40,000 years ago, how is this possible? Fortunately, recent evidence from sequencing ancient DNA has revealed where and when our ancestors first met and mated with Neanderthals as well as the genetic benefits and risks from the snippets of Neanderthal DNA we may have inherited.
On Campus Session
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How old is the Universe? Why do we have volcanoes and earthquakes?
How did life get started and how did humans get here? Why do we get sick?
In this class, we will start with a discussion of what is a theory and how it differs from facts, rules and laws. From there, we will dive into how seemingly simple questions led to the development of some of the most profound theories and ideas in nature and science; The Big Bang, Plate Tectonics, Evolution and Germs.
On Campus Session
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Almost 50 years ago, women first joined the NASA astronaut corps, 20 years after men became astronauts. Sally Ride is famous as America's first woman in space, but scores of equally impressive women astronauts are not as well known. This class introduces all the others, with stories about their paths to space and record-setting careers, set in the context of changes in society and NASA's evolving priorities in space. Women are integral to the history of human spaceflight. Trailblazing, inspiring, amazing women have overcome barriers, excelled, and made their mark in space. Let’s get acquainted with them!
Online Zoom Session
- Section Code: F26FSFHCE301A
- Instructor: Valerie Neal
- Dates: 10/7/2026 - 10/7/2026
- Times: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
- Sessions: 1
- Days: W
- Building: Online Class
- Room: Zoom
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This 2-session course will provide an overview of the science of launching rockets and maneuvering spacecraft in Earth orbit, with a sampling of how these craft are sent beyond Earth orbit, to the likes of the moon and Mars. A description of the physical elements for all orbits will lead to demonstration of how to transfer from one orbit to another. For those who grew up watching the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions we’ll explain the meaning and purpose of the terms you heard often, but didn’t understand: launch window, main engine cutoff, delta-velocity burns, orbital insertion, deorbit, reentry, and splashdown. All this will be done with an absolute minimum of equations.
On Campus Session
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Are you acquainted with the legend of Atlantis? Have you looked into it? Do you have an opinion about its being fact or fiction? If, like me, you find this subject fascinating, then regardless of how you answer these questions you should enjoy this examination of recent evidence that supports surprisingly varied claims that Atlantis did exist, perhaps in an unexpected form, and maybe in an unexpected location.
On Campus Session
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119 lives were lost on the Guadalupe River July 4th, 2025, including 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic. Were at least some of these deaths preventable? We will look at this event in detail and determine who, if anyone, could have done more to save lives. It's important to examine this because a flood of this magnitude will happen again.
Trinity Terrace
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Classical physics teaches us about how the universe is designed. Quantum mechanics shows us that at the fundamental level the design is very strange indeed. Particles behave as both particles and waves; properties seem not to exist until they are measured; and entangled particles seem to communicate over long distances almost instantaneously. All of this defies normal human intuition. This class will discuss these ideas in a non-mathematical way. We will avoid math, but we will discuss experiments that require some thought to understand. People who attend this class should be willing to think hard about concepts that strain intuition.
On-Campus Session
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Come along for a visit to one of the most beautiful places in Fort Worth. The 7 1/2 acre Japanese Garden sits within the 120 acres of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. A trip here offers experiences in gardening, history culture, and wildlife. From the Tea House to the spring-flowering Cherry Trees to the almost barren and intriguing Karesansui, this garden offers a place of tranquility and beauty as well as amusing interludes. Visitors from all over the world come to experience this amazing garden.
Stevenson Oaks
- Section Code: F26FSFSN053A
- Instructor: Nora Coalson
- Dates: 9/17/2026 - 9/17/2026
- Times: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- Sessions: 1
- Days: Th
- Building: Stevenson Oaks
- Room: Fort Worth
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