Introduction to Genomic Technologies (Coursera)

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.

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

Course 1 of 8 in the Genomic Data Science Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Overview
In this Module, you can expect to study topics of "Just enough molecular biology", "The genome", "Writing a DNA sequence", "Central dogma", "Transcription", "Translation", and "DNA structure and modifications".

WEEK 2
Measurement Technology
In this module, you'll learn about polymerase chain reaction, next generation sequencing, and applications of sequencing.

WEEK 3
Computing Technology
The lectures for this module cover a few basic topics in computing technology. We'll go over the foundations of computer science, algorithms, memory and data structures, efficiency, software engineering, and computational biology software.

WEEK 4
Data Science Technology
In this module on Data Science Technology, we'll be covering quite a lot of information about how to handle the data produced during the sequencing process. We'll cover reproducibility, analysis, statistics, question types, the central dogma of inference, analysis code, testing, prediction, variation, experimental design, confounding, power, sample size, correlation, causation, and degrees of freedom.

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

Related Courses

Understanding China, 1700-2000: A Data Analytic Approach, Part 2 (Coursera) Coursera
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST

Understanding China, 1700-2000: A Data Analytic Approach, Part 2 (Coursera)

The purpose of this course is to summarize new directions in Chinese history and social science produced by the creation and analysis of big historical datasets based on newly opened Chinese archival holdings, and to organize this knowledge in a framework that encourages learning about China in comparative perspective. Our course demonstrates how a new scholarship of discovery is redefining what is singular about modern China and modern Chinese history.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks
Visualization for Data Journalism (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Visualization for Data Journalism (Coursera)

While telling stories with data has been part of the news practice since its earliest days, it is in the midst of a renaissance. Graphics desks which used to be deemed as “the art department,” a subfield outside the work of newsrooms, are becoming a core part of newsrooms’ operation. Those people (they often have various titles: data journalists, news artists, graphic reporters, developers, etc.) who design news graphics are expected to be full-fledged journalists and work closely with reporters and editors.

Nov 30th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Dynamical Modeling Methods for Systems Biology (Coursera) Coursera
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Dynamical Modeling Methods for Systems Biology (Coursera)

An introduction to dynamical modeling techniques used in contemporary Systems Biology research. We take a case-based approach to teach contemporary mathematical modeling techniques. The course is appropriate for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. Lectures provide biological background and describe the development of both classical mathematical models and more recent representations of biological processes. The course will be useful for students who plan to use experimental techniques as their approach in the laboratory and employ computational modeling as a tool to draw deeper understanding of experiments.

Nov 30th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Network Analysis in Systems Biology (Coursera) Coursera
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Network Analysis in Systems Biology (Coursera)

An introduction to data integration and statistical methods used in contemporary Systems Biology, Bioinformatics and Systems Pharmacology research. The course covers methods to process raw data from genome-wide mRNA expression studies (microarrays and RNA-seq) including data normalization, differential expression, clustering, enrichment analysis and network construction. The course contains practical tutorials for using tools and setting up pipelines, but it also covers the mathematics behind the methods applied within the tools.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Foundations of Data Science: K-Means Clustering in Python (Coursera) Coursera
University of London,Goldsmiths, University of London

Foundations of Data Science: K-Means Clustering in Python (Coursera)

This MOOC, designed by an academic team from Goldsmiths, University of London, will quickly introduce you to the core concepts of Data Science to prepare you for intermediate and advanced Data Science courses. It focuses on the basic mathematics, statistics and programming skills that are necessary for typical data analysis tasks.

Nov 30th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 1 (Coursera) Coursera
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 1 (Coursera)

Nanotechnology and nanosensors are broad, interdisciplinary areas that encompass (bio)chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, electrical engineering and more. The present course will provide a survey on some of the fundamental principles behind nanotechnology and nanomaterials and their vital role in novel sensing properties and applications. The course will discuss interesting interdisciplinary scientific and engineering knowledge at the nanoscale to understand fundamental physical differences at the nanosensors.

Nov 30th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Computing for Cancer Informatics (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Computing for Cancer Informatics (Coursera)

One of the key cancer informatics challenges is dealing with and managing the explosion of large data from multiple sources that are often too large to work with on typical personal computers. This course is designed to help researchers and investigators to understand the basics of computing and to familiarize them with various computing options to ultimately help guide their decisions on the topic.

Nov 30th 2026
4 Weeks
Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows (Coursera) Coursera
Tel Aviv University

Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows (Coursera)

For centuries we have collectively marveled at plant diversity and form—from Charles Darwin’s early fascination with stems and flowers to Seymour Krelborn’s distorted doting in Little Shop of Horrors. This course intends to present an intriguing and scientifically valid look at how plants themselves experience the world—from the colors they see to the sensations they feel. Highlighting the latest research in genetics and more, we will delve into the inner lives of plants and draw parallels with the human senses to reveal that we have much more in common with sunflowers and oak trees than we may realize.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Data science perspectives on pandemic management (Coursera) Coursera
Politecnico di Milano

Data science perspectives on pandemic management (Coursera)

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the first world-wide scenarios where data made a difference in capturing and analyzing the diffusion and impact of the disease. We offer an introductory course for decision makers, policy makers, public bodies, NGOs, and private organizations about methods, tools, and experiences on the use of data for managing current and future pandemic scenarios.

Nov 30th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 2: Belief Systems (Coursera) Coursera
Rutgers University

Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 2: Belief Systems (Coursera)

Throughout history, the vast majority of people around the globe have believed they have, however defined, a “soul.” While the question of whether the soul exists cannot be answered by science, what we can study are the causes and consequences of various beliefs about the soul and its prospects of surviving the death of the body. Why are soul and afterlife beliefs so common in human history? Are there adaptive advantages to assuming souls exist?

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Pensamiento Científico (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Pensamiento Científico (Coursera)

¿El pensamiento científico es sólo para científicos? Su utilidad va mucho más allá, ayudando a las personas a tomar mejores decisiones todos los días. El objetivo de este curso es fomentar en pensamiento científico en los alumnos para ayudarles a tomar mejores decisiones profesionales, personales y sociales.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks