Chemistry and Our Universe

How It All Works

By: Ron B. Davis, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Ron B. Davis

Our world is ruled by chemistry. It is the study of matter and energy at the scale of atoms and molecules. As the most all-embracing discipline there is, it should be at the top of everyone’s list of must-learn subjects.

Chemistry and Our Universe: How It All Works is your in-depth introduction to this vital field, taught through 60 engaging half-hour lectures that are suitable for any background or none at all. Covering a year’s worth of introductory general chemistry at the college level, plus intriguing topics that are rarely discussed in the classroom, this amazingly comprehensive course requires nothing more advanced than high-school math. Your guide is Professor Ron B. Davis, Jr., a research chemist and award-winning teacher at Georgetown University.

With passion and humor, Professor Davis guides you through the fascinating world of atoms, molecules, and their remarkable interactions, showing you how to think, analyze problems, and predict outcomes like a true expert in the field.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2016 The Great Courses (P)2016 The Teaching Company, LLC

Life changing

After listening to this I've become excited enough to pursue university studies in chemistry! I high recommend this course. Professor Davis gives detailed history of chemistry at a pace that keeps the course moving but educates the listener and maintains interest. The included PDF file is a great aid to the audio, definitely download!

Trying to figure out an interest for study has been quite difficult. There are so many different fields that interest me. While listening to Chemistry and our Universe, the processes and history were told in a way that made anything seem attainable through chemistry. This pinpointed my interest. Many times I almost jump off my equipment at work getting so excited about some of the information! Now my mind is racing with all new ideas and questions!

Long

Long, but you survive. Lots of boaring an interesting parts or is chemistry after all.

Dry and verbose, despite being informative

The best expositions are engaging and informationally dense (e.g. Feynman Lectures). I found this to be the opposite: dry and rather verbose, as if the author didn’t trust the audience to understand points that weren’t belabored. I didn’t find the facts to be very well-motivated generally. 6/10

Chemistry how it works

Very good lecture. In-depth chemistry, sometimes difficult to understand without Video and slides. Enjoyed, stimulates to refer and learn more about Earth and Universe Chemistry.

You miss some, you learn some

Forewarned that these were originally video lectures, I knew to expect that some content would not be possible to follow. I nevertheless thoroughly enjoyed the lectures and learned a great deal from what I was able to follow.