The Best YouTube Channels for Biology, Chemistry and Physics Video Tutorials
Are you confounded by chemistry, baffled by biology or have a quandary with quantum physics? If so, there are a number of YouTube channels that can help you better understand these challenging science subjects. The list below contains channels focused on biology, chemistry, and physics, with additional emphasis on engineering and computer science.
Not to be outdone in the STEM arena, many of these channels also cover math tutorials on algebra, geometry and calculus. Save yourself some time by using the channel search bar above the subscribe button to find tutorials on specific topics of interest.
Multiple Science Subjects
1. AK Lectures
The AK Lectures channel features lessons from Andrey Kopot, who earned his degree in applied mathematics with honors from NYU. He recently earned his M.D. from the University of Buffalo. Andrey has created an expansive library of video lessons dedicated to detailed explanations to complex concepts in the sciences. Students have commented on his encyclopedic knowledge of biochemistry and his ability to breakdown very complex material, i.e. metabolism.
Bozeman Science was created by Paul Andersen, a former high school teacher and education consultant from Bozeman, Montana. His videos cover a number of topics within biology, chemistry, physics, and statistics. While he is focused on AP exam content, his lectures are still useful as a supplement to college courses.
Professor Dave Explains is the brainchild of Dave Farina, a former high school teacher and college instructor. Professor Dave Explains' video lessons, which cover chemistry, physics and biological sciences are rigorous and curriculum-aligned but contain interesting visuals to keep viewers engaged. The channel contains practice test videos and Get to Know a Scientist segments featuring professionals such as bioengineers, biomedical scientists, marine ecologists and geneticists detailing what they do in their day-day-jobs.
Chemistry
The following channels cover interesting ways to learn the periodic table, concepts and mechanics within different disciplines of chemistry - organic, quantum, nuclear, etc. - concepts, and even view laboratory demonstrations.
The Organic Chemistry Tutor, with its almost 2 million subscribers consistently shows up on any essential list of chemistry video tutorials. The channel's videos have been described as life savers by science and engineering students alike.
The Periodic Videos channel is the brainchild of Brady Haran, the YouTube creator who created the popular Numberphile channel. Periodic Videos is a joint effort between Haran and professors at the University of Nottingham and features over 600 videos on a variety of chemistry-related topics. One really unique feature is the channel's library of individual videos focused on each element of the periodic table.
6. Leah 4 Sci
Leah4Sci was started by Leah Fisch, a dual biology and chemistry graduate, science tutor and U.S. Navy veteran. The channel offers simple tutorials covering complex organic chemistry concepts with step-by- step mechanisms and detailed explanations. There is also a corresponding website, www.leah4science.com with downloadable organic chemistry reference materials and cheat sheets.
The TMP Chemistry channel includes videos on Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy, Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics, Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, and Math Review for Physical Chemistry. The channel has positive recommendations for its Quantum Chemistry videos.
8. Tyler DeWitt
Need help with Chemistry? Tyler DeWitt is dedicated to developing videos targeted to students preparing for the AP Test, SAT, MCAT, DAT, and OAT exams, as well as students in nursing, nutrition, pre-med and pre-vet programs. His videos offer numerous examples, analogies and practice problems. The following topics are covered in the channel's video library: Significant Figures, Scientific Notation, Density, Stoichiometry, Nuclear Chemistry, VSEPR Theory, Atomic Structure, Covalent and Ionic Bonding, Thermochemistry, and Gases.
9. Nile Red
Nigel Braun is the creator of the NileRed YouTube channel whose aim to balance theory with purpose. He feels that chemistry is often taught poorly or without a purpose. He states his goal is to show the natural beauty of chemistry in fun and interesting ways. Nigel has a BSc in Biochemistry and worked as a lab tech in an organic lab before starting the channel.
The EKU Chem Lab channel is brought to you from Eastern Kentucky University's chemistry department. What makes this channel unique is that it combines shorter lab demonstration videos with longer, more traditional lectures.
Physics
Need help understanding the complexity of physics? These channels offer super helpful explanations of subjects that matter (bad pun intended). They also offer detailed worked examples so the concepts and problem-solving really sink in.
11. Physics Girl
Dianna Cowern, the creator behind the Physics Girl channel has a physics degree from MIT, a Flame Challenge award and 1.7 million subscribers to her channel. The Physics Girl channel features experiments and demonstrations and new discoveries. The channel launched a Physics 101 class, a must see for anyone taking their first physics class or wanting to brush up on the topic.
Dr. Matt Anderson is a popular professor of physics at San Diego State University and his YouTube channel covers 1st and 2nd Semester Physics and features field demonstrations.
Michel van Biezen is a physics professor at Loyola Marymount university and is known for his website, ilectureonline.com as well as his YouTube channel. His channel contains a complete list of physics videos, as well as hundreds of chemistry, astronomy, math, and mechanical engineering videos. The physics videos explain the fundamental concepts of physics with some easy to follow examples on how to solve physics problems. Students have referred to him as a god at worked examples for physics.
YouTube Video Tutorials: A Great Source of Science-Related Knowledge
These video channels, with their in-depth explanations, animations and problem sets have been credited with saving numerous student academic careers. They are helpful to use in conjunction with any lessons/lectures your professors provide.