OCW publishes two new OCW Scholar courses
OCW has released two new courses in the innovative OCW Scholar format designed for independent learners.
Fundamentals of Biology focuses on the basic principles of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and recombinant DNA. These principles are necessary to understanding the basic mechanisms of life and anchor the biological knowledge that is required to understand many of the challenges in everyday life, from human health and disease to loss of biodiversity and environmental quality.
Go to 7.01SC Fundamentals of Biology
Introduction to Psychology is a survey of the scientific study of human nature, including how the mind works, and how the brain supports the mind. Topics include the mental and neural bases of perception, emotion, learning, memory, cognition, child development, personality, psychopathology, and social interaction.
New Courses
- 15.015 Macro and International Economics
- 15.599 Workshop in IT: Collaborative Innovation Networks
- 16.459 Bioengineering Journal Article Seminar
Updated Courses
Highlights for High School
Do you understand the philosophy behind leadership, the importance of teamwork, and how and why it's important to self-reflect?
If you aren't sure (or even if you are), then take a look at the Leadership Training Institute course.
It's more than lecture notes. The instructors encourage you to scream, run, think, reflect and learn in your own way.
Courses in Context: The Business of IPOs

Photo of NASDAQ sign in New York City by broc7.
Facebook's initial public offering (IPO) began at $38.23 a share on May 18. It's now riding the waves of the stock market.
In the following courses, there are resources that look at the philosophy and mechanics behind IPOs.
- 15.975 Special Seminar in Management: The Nuts and Bolts of Business Plans - see Study Materials. "What Are the Terms? - Part 3: Run Don't Walk To The Exit", "Steer Clear of the Tempest: A Start-Up Tragedy in Three Acts", and "WHIPLASH - (The Pitfalls of Acceleration)"
- 15.431 Entrepreneurial Finance - see Lecture Notes. Initial public offering (IPO)
- 15.402 Finance Theory II - see Lecture Notes, Section B. Lecture: Capital Structure: Informational and Dynamic Considerations
Views from Supporters
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On an ethical side, I think it's also important that they remain free to promote the idea that, although universities have an obvious (enormous) management cost, the maximum effort should be put into keeping education free for everybody who cannot pay high fees. Poverty should not cause ignorance."
-Leonardo, Independent Learner, Netherlands
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