Big Data, Genes, and Medicine (Coursera)

We’ll investigate the different steps required to master Big Data analytics on real datasets, including Next Generation Sequencing data, in a healthcare and biological context, from preparing data for analysis to completing the analysis, interpreting the results, visualizing them, and sharing the results.

Needless to say, when you master these high-demand skills, you will be well positioned to apply for or move to positions in biomedical data analytics and bioinformatics. No matter what your skill levels are in biomedical or technical areas, you will gain highly valuable new or sharpened skills that will make you stand-out as a professional and want to dive even deeper in biomedical Big Data. It is my hope that this course will spark your interest in the vast possibilities offered by publicly available Big Data to better understand, prevent, and treat diseases.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Genes and Data

After this module, you will be able to 1. Locate and download files for data analysis involving genes and medicine. 2. Open files and preprocess data using R language. 3. Write R scripts to replace missing values, normalize data, discretize data, and sample data.

WEEK 2

Preparing Datasets for Analysis

After this module, you will be able to: 1. Locate and download files for data analysis involving genes and medicine. 2. Open files and preprocess data using R language. 3. Write R scripts to replace missing values, normalize data, discretize data, and sample data.

WEEK 3

Finding Differentially Expressed Genes

After this module, you will be able to 1. Select features from highly dimensional datasets. 2. Evaluate the performance of feature selection methods. 3. Write R scripts to select features from datasets involving gene expressions.

WEEK 4

Predicting Diseases from Genes

After this module, you will be able to 1. Build classification and prediction models. 2. Evaluate the performance of classification and prediction methods. 3. Write R scripts to classify and predict diseases from gene expressions.

WEEK 5

Determining Gene Alterations

After this module, you will be able to 1. List different types of gene alterations. 2. Compare and contrast methods for detecting gene mutations. 3. Compare and contrast methods for detecting methylation. 4. Compare and contrast methods for detecting copy number variations. 5. Quantify genomic alterations. 6. Connect genomic alterations to differential expression of genes. 7. Write programs in R for determining gene alterations and their relationship with gene expression.

WEEK 6

Clustering and Pathway Analysis

After this module, you will be able to 1. Find clusters in biomedical data involving genes.2. Analyze and visualize biological pathways. 3. Write R scripts for clustering and for pathway analysis.