If there’s such thing as a universal truth, it’s that college isn’t cheap. In fact, the cost of tuition and fees is rising constantly, not to mention skyrocketing housing prices. But in today’s economy, a degree is essential for a successful career, so you’re going to have to make the sacrifice. Fortunately, these open courses are free for everyone, and while they might not replace the courses you have to take, they might get you one step closer to your final diploma. We’ve also included free networking sites and financial aid resources that can help you make the connections and the financial decisions you need to reach your academic goals.

Natural Science

These courses cover physics, geology, natural phenomena, and more.

1. Fundamentals of Physics: Professor Ramamurti Shankar’s physics course from Yale covers Newtonian mechanics, special relativity, and more.
2. Principles of Chemical Science: Professors Ceyer and Drennan of MIT provide this introductory chemistry course.
3. Frontiers and Controversies in Astrophysics: Yale’s Professor Charles Bailyn discusses extra-solar planets, black holes and dark energy in this course.
4. Life in the Palaeozoic: Take a look at the evolution that occured in the Palaeozoic era.
5. General Biology I: Learn the basic principles of biology in this course.
6. General Biology II: This course continues the principles from General Biology I.
7. Physics I: Classical Mechanics: Professor Lewin from MIT discusses Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics, and kinetic gas theory.
8. Climate Change: Understand the basic science behind climate change and global warming.
9. Quantum Mechanics: Get a working knowledge and comprehension of quantum mechanical operations.
10. Organic Chemistry I: Professors Berkowski and O’Connor of MIT cover the basic principles of the structure and reactivity behind organic molecules.
11. Earthquakes: Learn about these destructive natural disasters.
12. Comparing Stars: Get an introduction to stars and the Hertzprung-Russell diagram.
13. Physics III: Vibrations and Waves: Physics III with MIT’s Professor Lewin covers mechanical vibrations, waves, and beyond.
14. Introduction to Modern Physics: This course discusses physics from Max Planck to Einstein.
15. Superconductivity: Take a look at the phenomenon of superconductivity and its applications.
16. Electricity and Magnetism: Learn about electromagnitism in everyday objects and beyond with MIT professor Walter Lewin.
17. Evolution Through Natural Selection: Explore the theory of evolution by natural selection according to Charles Darwin.
18. Physics for Humanists: Learn about classical and modern physics with emphasis on the connection between science and society.
19. The Evolving Universe: This course discusses the "Big Bang" and what is believed to have happened in the moments following.
20. Physics I: Physics I with MIT professor Stanley Kowalski is an introduction to classical mechanics.
21. The Sun: Get an in-depth look at the brightest star in our universe.

Math

Study math, from simple prices to calculus in these courses.

22. Linear Algebra: MIT professor Gilbert Strang discusses matrix theory and linear algebra.
23. Exploring Distance Time Graphs: Learn how to present mathematical information in graphs.
24. Differential Equations: MIT professors Arthur Mattuck and Haynes Miller present differential equations in this course.
25. An Introduction to Complex Numbers: In this course, you’ll take a look at complex numbers and learn how they’re defined.
26. Calculus I: Get an introduction to differential and integral calculus in this course.
27. Calculus II: This course is a continuation of Calculus I.
28. Calculus III: Follow the continuation of Calculus I and II in this course and learn about calculus of functions of several variables.
29. Prices: Take a look at a number of different ways to compare prices.
30. Single Variable Calculus: MIT’s Professor Jason Starr covers differation and integration of functions of one variable.
31. Systems of Differential Equations: Learn how a variety of situations can be modeled into linear differential equations.
32. Math Everywhere: Learn how to recognize math when you come across it.

Engineering & Computer Science

Learn about computer networks, electrical engineering, and more with these classess.

33. Circuits and Electronics: Get an introduction to the fundamentals of the lumped circuit abstraction from MIT’s Professor Anant Agarwal.
34. Network Security: Learn about the methods available for network security.
35. Science of Sound: This course covers 8 different aspects of sound.
36. Numerical Methods in Civil Engineering: In this course, you’ll find applications of approximation, interpolation, and more.
37. Protocols in Multi-Service Networks: Examine protocols in networks that interconnect devices for two-way communication.
38. Flash: Get familiarized with Macromedia Flash in this course.
39. Mathematical Methods for Engineers I: Check out math for engineers from MIT’s Professor Gilbert Strang.
40. Signals and Systems: Find out about systems realizations, Fourier transform, and more.
41. Computers and Computer Systems: This course discusses the computers we encounter in our daily lives.
42. Computer System Engineering: MIT professors Balakrishnan and Madden provide an overview of the engineering behind computer software and hardware systems.
43. Communications Systems I: This course covers analog communication, including the basic Fourier transform properties.
44. Fluid Mechanics: This course covers fluid properties, dynamics, flow, and more.
45. Information on the Web: Learn how to use the Internet as an information resource.
46. Microelectronic Devices and Circuits: Professor del Alamo of MIT covers devices, circuits and systems in this course.
47. Stochastic Processes: Get an introduction to stochastic processes, presented in communications, signal processing, and more.
48. Introducing ICT Systems: Learn about what ICT systems are and how they work.
49. Models and Modeling: This course discusses models and the modeling process.
50. Soil-based Hazardous Waste Management: Learn about the engineering management of hazardous waste in this course.
51. Introduction to Algorithms: Learn about the design, analysis, and methods of efficient algorithms from MIT professors Eric Demaine and Charles Leiserson.
52. Error Control Coding: Get an understanding of modern error control coding, with an emphasis on algebraic block coding.
53. Designing the User Interface: Discover how user interface design can create a user-friendly environment.
54. Uncertainty in Engineering Analysis: This course offers a study of probability and statistics for engineers.
55. Signals and Systems: This course from MIT discusses the fundamentals of signal and system analysis.
56. Accessibility in Interaction Design: Take a look at disabilities and understand how you can create a design that’s accessible to all.
57. Mathematics for Computer Science: MIT professors Meyer and Rubinfeld introduce discreme mathematics for computer science and engineering.
58. Biochemical Engineering: This course covers biochemical processes, thermodynamics, and kinetics.
59. Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs: MIT professors Grimson, Darrell, and Szolovits offer an introduction to the principles of computation.
60. An Introduction to Data and Information: Learn how a computer processes data into information.
61. Information Theory: Explore the limits of the representation and transmission of information in this course.

Language, Arts & Design

Get in touch with your artistic side by learning French, studying poetry, and honing your dance skills.

62. Modern Poetry: This Yale poetry course with Professor Langdon Hammer discusses modern poetry, including Yeates, Pound and Frost.
63. French: En Ville: Learn basic French language skills that will help you find your way around a French town.
64. Three-Dimensional Modeling, Animation and Rendering Using Blender 3D Software: This course is an introduction to computer generated 3-D modeling and animation.
65. Beginning Latin: Grammar: Learn the ancient language of Latin in this course.
66. Finding Information in Modern Languages: Learn how to identify and use information in Modern Languages.
67. Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose: Learn how to write academic papers in this course.
68. Producing Films for Social Change: Learn about the basic principles of video journalism, with special attention paid to documentaries for social change.
69. Spanish: Espacios Publicos: This language course focuses on Spanish as a communication tool, as well as Hispanic culture.
70. First Year Chinese I: Get a basic understanding of Chinese speaking and written languages in this course.
71. First Year Chinese II: This course is a continuation of First Year Chinese II.
72. Dance Skills: Learn this expressive art form as a way to communicate through movement.
73. English Grammar in Context: Understand the complexities of English grammar with this course.
74. Studing the Arts and Humanities: Get an introduction to studying the arts and humanities, working on your learning skills.
75. Technology for Professional Writers: Develop technological skills that are needed for today’s writing industry with this course.
76. Understanding Theatre: Learn about the enjoyment of theatre as an art form as well as theatre’s application to daily life.
77. CALFNES Spanish: This Spanish course is deisnged for non-English speakers.
78. Nature and the Built Environment: This course discusses architecture as it relates to nature, now and in ancient cities.
79. Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode: Develop critical skills for persuasive research writing with this course.
80. Classical Drama and Theatre: Take a look at ancient Greek and Roman theatre in this course.

II. Other Tools

Networking

The links below contain some common networks you may have heard of before. Advice: if you do not have an account with one of these sites, create one. Today.

81. LinkedIn: A business-oriented social networking site that allows you to search for the who’s who in your chosen profession.
82. MySpace: The pioneer of social media Web sites. College students seem to have migrated to Facebook, but MySpace is still a great place to find friends and listen to up-and-coming musicians. Also, it offers a customizable profile, which might appeal to left-brainers more than other networking options.
83. Facebook: Facebook is like an all-inclusive resort for college students, and its developers are always making improvements. For example, more than two million Facebook users are now part of the marketplace application, where students can buy, sell, and trade sports tickets, furniture, electronics, etc. Professors are also starting to join Facebook, making networking with them easier and more personal.
84. Twitter: Follow or be followed. This site mirrors the status application first seen on Facebook. Your Tweets are short updates about what you are doing, where you are going, or how you are feeling. After signing up, you can tweet online or via mobile phone by texting your status to 40404.
85. Ning: Ning (Chinese for peace) gives users the opportunity to create and manage their own network and design their own pages based on a particular interest or need.
86. Squidoo: Squidoo is a community Web site that allows users to create pages (called lenses) for subjects of interest. Squidoo is in the top 500 most visited sites in the world, and in the top 300 most viewed in the United States. It’s a good way to network with colleagues and professionals in your area of study.
87. Networking Assistant 1.0: Organize and manage your contacts without having to pay for a little black book, and it’s much easier than toting around a Rolodex.
88. Alumwire: A career network for college students and alumni.
89. Blogspot: Blogspot might require a little more effort than other networking sites, but it provides the unique opportunity to be heard while remaining anonymous. Read others’ blogs or establish one of your own. Better yet, do both.
90. Ologeez: A scholarly search site to learn, discuss, and connect with academics, professionals and colleagues.
91. Lalisio: Lalisio is the leading social knowledge network connecting people with knowledge of every kind.

Financial Aid

Although your college is dedicated to the betterment of society by means of university education, at some point, it’s all about the money. So when it comes to sending in that check, you’ll need all the help you can get, and these free resources can help you find the financial backing you need to keep your bank account alive.

92. FastWeb: Fast Web allows students to search for scholarships based on their year in college, interests, major and region. Not only can students search for scholarships for free, but Fast Web has loads of articles on financial aid, student life and internship opportunities.
93. Scholarship Experts: Scholarship Experts was named best scholarship search engine by Forbes in its Best of the Web Review. Fill out the required information and you’re on your way to finding a scholarship that fits your needs.
94. College Scholarships.org: College Scholarships.org has been helping students find money for college for free since 1999. The web site also has student loan and grant information available.
95. Scholarships.com: Search for over 2.7 million scholarships with Scholarships.com’s free search tool. Or students can create a profile and have matching scholarships and grants sent to them from the database.
96. Student Scholarship Search: Find scholarships based on keyword searches or take a look at this web site’s featured scholarship listings. Be sure to also download the free e-book, Scholarship Secrets.
97. BrokeScholar.com: Begin a free scholarship listing search by filling out a personal profile. Store potential scholarships in a folder for easy access.
98. Zinch.com: Find and win your scholarship on Zinch.com and they’ll match the funds you win. Good enough reason to search this website, right?
99. U.S. News and World Report: Paying for College: U.S. News and World Report will teach you how to make the most of each scholarship application and how to attend college on someone’s else’s dime.
100. Cappex.com: Cappex is a free scholarship and financial aid search tool. Create one profile with Cappex and you can apply for every scholarship for which you are eligible.
101. UPromise.com: UPromise is a great way to begin saving early for college expenses if you do a lot of online shopping. Check out the Web site’s articles on how to save and pay for college.