EdX

Introduction to Bioconductor (edX)

Introduction to Bioconductor (edX)

The structure, annotation, normalization, and interpretation of genome scale assays. We begin with an introduction to the biology, explaining what we measure and why. Then we focus on the two main measurement technologies: next generation sequencing and microarrays. We then move on to describing how raw data and experimental information are imported into R and how we use Bioconductor classes to organize these data, whether generated locally, or harvested from public repositories or institutional archives.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Genomic features are generally identified using intervals in genomic coordinates, and highly efficient algorithms for computing with genomic intervals will be examined in detail. Statistical methods for testing gene-centric or pathway-centric hypotheses with genome-scale data are found in packages such as limma, some of these techniques will be illustrated in lectures and labs.

Given the diversity in educational background of our students we have divided the series into seven parts. You can take the entire series or individual courses that interest you. If you are a statistician you should consider skipping the first two or three courses, similarly, if you are biologists you should consider skipping some of the introductory biology lectures. Note that the statistics and programming aspects of the class ramp up in difficulty relatively quickly across the first three courses. By the third course will be teaching advanced statistical concepts such as hierarchical models and by the fourth advanced software engineering skills, such as parallel computing and reproducible research concepts.
This course is part of the Data Analysis for Genomics Professional Certificate.

These courses make up two Professional Certificates and are self-paced:
Data Analysis for Life Sciences:
PH525.1x: Statistics and R for the Life Sciences
PH525.2x: Introduction to Linear Models and Matrix Algebra
PH525.3x: Statistical Inference and Modeling for High-throughput Experiments
PH525.4x: High-Dimensional Data Analysis
Genomics Data Analysis:
PH525.5x: Introduction to Bioconductor
PH525.6x: Case Studies in Functional Genomics
PH525.7x: Advanced Bioconductor

What you'll learn

  • What we measure with high-throughput technologies and why
  • Introduction to high-throughput technologies

. Next Generation Sequencing
. Microarrays

  • Preprocessing and Normalization
  • The Bioconductor Genomic Ranges Utilities
  • Genomic Annotation

Prerequisites:
Statistical Inference and Modeling for High-throughput Experiments
High-Dimensional Data Analysis

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Bioinformatics: Introduction and Methods 生物信息学: 导论与方法 (Coursera) Coursera
Peking University

Bioinformatics: Introduction and Methods 生物信息学: 导论与方法 (Coursera)

A big welcome to “Bioinformatics: Introduction and Methods” from Peking University! In this MOOC you will become familiar with the concepts and computational methods in the exciting interdisciplinary field of bioinformatics and their applications in biology, the knowledge and skills in bioinformatics you acquired will help you in your future study and research.

May 25th 2026
13-24 Weeks
Applied Statistics with Python (edX) EdX
Southern New Hampshire University,SNHUx

Applied Statistics with Python (edX)

Analyze data using statistical methods and technology. This course helps prepare you for positions that require the analysis of large data sets, providing the statistics foundation you’ll need for data analysis. You’ll learn how to model real-world applications using statistical methods. You’ll also gain skills to set up those applications in statistical frameworks, solve the statistical problems using technology and apply those results to answer real business questions.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Whole genome sequencing of bacterial genomes - tools and applications (Coursera) Coursera
Technical University of Denmark - DTU

Whole genome sequencing of bacterial genomes - tools and applications (Coursera)

This course will cover the topic of Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of bacterial genomes which is becoming more and more relevant for the medical sector. WGS technology and applications are high on international political agenda, as the classical methods are being replaced by WGS technology and therefore bioinformatic tools are extremely important for allowing the people working in this sector to be able to analyze the data and obtain results that can be interpreted and used for different purposes.

May 18th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introducción a Ciencias de Datos y Estadística Básica para Negocios (edX) EdX
Tecnológico de Monterrey,TecdeMonterreyX

Introducción a Ciencias de Datos y Estadística Básica para Negocios (edX)

En este curso adquirirás los métodos estadísticos para la toma de decisiones en los negocios, así como herramientas tecnológicas para desarrollar habilidades cuantitativas. Áreas como el “big data” requieren un conocimiento muy claro de la estadística; en las áreas de negocios, la tecnología pone a nuestro alcance diversas aplicaciones que requieren una sólida formación en estadística para su correcto uso e interpretación.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Hacking COVID-19 — Course 1: Identifying a Deadly Pathogen (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Hacking COVID-19 — Course 1: Identifying a Deadly Pathogen (Coursera)

In this course, you will follow in the footsteps of the bioinformaticians investigating the COVID-19 outbreak by assembling the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Whether you’re new to the world of computational biology, or you’re a bioinformatics expert seeking to learn about its applications in the COVID-19 pandemic, or somewhere in between, this course is for you!

Jun 1st 2026
2 Weeks
Introduction to Genomic Technologies (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Introduction to Genomic Technologies (Coursera)

This course introduces you to the basic biology of modern genomics and the experimental tools that we use to measure it. We'll introduce the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology and cover how next-generation sequencing can be used to measure DNA, RNA, and epigenetic patterns. You'll also get an introduction to the key concepts in computing and data science that you'll need to understand how data from next-generation sequencing experiments are generated and analyzed.

May 25th 2026
4 Weeks
Genomic Medicine Gets Personal (edX) EdX
Georgetown University,GeorgetownX

Genomic Medicine Gets Personal (edX)

This course will provide an introduction to genomic medicine and a better understanding of the issues associated with personal genomic information. While the advances in genomics promise to usher a new era in medical practice and create a major paradigm shift in patient care, the ethical, legal and social impact of genomic medicine will be equally significant. The information and potential use of genomic discoveries are no longer issues left for scientists and medical professionals to handle, but have become ones for the public at large.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
Dynamic Programming: Applications In Machine Learning and Genomics (edX) EdX
University of California, San Diego,UC San DiegoX

Dynamic Programming: Applications In Machine Learning and Genomics (edX)

Learn how dynamic programming and Hidden Markov Models can be used to compare genetic strings and uncover evolution. If you look at two genes that serve the same purpose in two different species, how can you rigorously compare these genes in order to see how they have evolved away from each other?

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Bioinformatic Methods I (Coursera) Coursera
University of Toronto

Bioinformatic Methods I (Coursera)

Large-scale biology projects such as the sequencing of the human genome and gene expression surveys using RNA-seq, microarrays and other technologies have created a wealth of data for biologists. However, the challenge facing scientists is analyzing and even accessing these data to extract useful information pertaining to the system being studied. This course focuses on employing existing bioinformatic resources – mainly web-based programs and databases – to access the wealth of data to answer questions relevant to the average biologist, and is highly hands-on.

Jun 1st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Essentials of Genomics and Biomedical Informatics (edX) EdX
IsraelX

Essentials of Genomics and Biomedical Informatics (edX)

This course presents clinicians and digital health enthusiasts with an overview of the data revolution in medicine and how to exploit it for research and in the clinic. The course will not make you a bioinformatician but will introduce the main concepts, tools, algorithms, and databases in this field.

No sessions available
5-12 Weeks
Hacking COVID-19 — Course 3: Unraveling COVID-19's Origins (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Hacking COVID-19 — Course 3: Unraveling COVID-19's Origins (Coursera)

In this course, you will follow in the footsteps of the bioinformaticians investigating the COVID-19 outbreak by investigating the origins of SARS-CoV-2. Whether you’re new to the world of computational biology, or you’re a bioinformatics expert seeking to learn about its applications in the COVID-19 pandemic, or somewhere in between, this course is for you!

Jun 1st 2026
2 Weeks
Finding Hidden Messages in DNA (Bioinformatics I) (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Finding Hidden Messages in DNA (Bioinformatics I) (Coursera)

This course begins a series of classes illustrating the power of computing in modern biology. Please join us on the frontier of bioinformatics to look for hidden messages in DNA without ever needing to put on a lab coat. In the first half of the course, we investigate DNA replication, and ask the question, where in the genome does DNA replication begin? We will see that we can answer this question for many bacteria using only some straightforward algorithms to look for hidden messages in the genome.

May 25th 2026
5-12 Weeks