Coursera

Introduction to Translational Science (Coursera)

Offered by University of Michigan,
Introduction to Translational Science (Coursera)

Translational science is the process of turning observations in the laboratory, clinic, and community into interventions that improve the health of individuals and populations. In this course, you’ll learn about the role of translational research in moving scientific discoveries into applications for improving human health.

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

With an understanding of the four stages of translational research, you’ll be able to assess team roles for each stage and explain the importance of rigorous research, responsible conduct of research, and the differences between them. Finally, you’ll learn about career opportunities within the in-demand field of translational research.
This is an ideal introduction for undergraduate or graduate students interested in the practical application of their research to improve the health of their community.
This is the first course of five in the “Translational Science” series.
Course 1 of 5 in the Translational Science Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
The Introduction to Translational Science course provides you with an overview of the spectrum of translational research. You will learn important terminology and concepts to use as you practice setting career goals for translational research. This week you will learn how to 1) define translational research and its role in moving scientific discoveries into applications for improving human health, 2) list the stages of translational research and describe specific examples of research conducted at each stage.

WEEK 2
Welcome to Week 2 of Introduction to Translational Science. This week you will learn how to 1) name the seven fundamental characteristics of a translational scientist, 2) identify team roles for research conducted in each stage of translational science, and 3) explain the importance of rigorous research.

WEEK 3
Welcome to Week 3 of Introduction to Translational Science. This week you will learn how to... 1) understand the importance of diversity in assembling your research team, 2) explain the importance of mentoring in conducting translational research.

WEEK 4
Welcome to Week 4 of Introduction to Translational Science. This week you will learn how to 1) give examples of strategies to address issues related to health disparities and inequities in translational research, 2) identify career opportunities in translational research.

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

Related Courses

Clinical Kidney, Pancreas and Islet Transplantation (Coursera) Coursera
Leiden University,Leiden University Medical Center

Clinical Kidney, Pancreas and Islet Transplantation (Coursera)

Health & Society Medicine & Pharmacology

Kidney transplantation is a major advance of modern medicine which provides high-quality of life for patients with end-stage renal disease. What used to be an experimental, risky, and very limited treatment option more than 50 years ago is now routinely performed in many countries worldwide. The number of renal transplants is expected to rise sharply in the next decade since the proportion of patients with end stage renal disease is increasing.

Oct 12th 2026
4 Weeks
Medicine Health Transplantation
Details
Introduction to Translational Research: Connecting Scientists and Medical Doctors (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Taipei Medical University

Introduction to Translational Research: Connecting Scientists and Medical Doctors (FutureLearn)

Health & Society Social Sciences

Understand the emerging discipline of translational medicine and the process of taking research from ‘benchside’ to ‘bedside'. Translational medicine, also known as translational science or translational research, is a new, growing discipline in medicine that aims to ensure research flows from ‘benchside’ to ‘bedside’.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
Clinical Trials Drug Development Translational Research
Details
Genomic Medicine and Research: A Community Approach (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Exeter

Genomic Medicine and Research: A Community Approach (FutureLearn)

Health & Society Medicine & Pharmacology

Learn how translational research in genomics can deliver health, social, and scientific benefits to communities. Explore the benefits of a community approach to genomic medicine and research. On this course, you will explore the skills needed for translational research work and understand the meaning of community genetics. You will also learn the value of whole genome sequencing in the community context and the importance of community-specific medical research to patients.

Available now
3 Weeks
Healthcare Community Research
Details
Diabetes - a Global Challenge (Coursera) Coursera
University of Copenhagen

Diabetes - a Global Challenge (Coursera)

Health & Society Medicine & Pharmacology

Diabetes and obesity are growing health problems in rich and poor countries alike. With this course you will get updated on cutting-edge diabetes and obesity research including biological, genetic and clinical aspects as well as prevention and epidemiology of diabetes and obesity. All lectures are provided by high-profile scientists from one the world's leading universities in diabetes research.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Medicine Health Diabetes
Details
Chemicals and Health (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Chemicals and Health (Coursera)

Health & Society Sci: Chemistry

This course covers chemicals in our environment and in our bodies and how they impact our health. It addresses policies and practices related to chemicals, particularly related to how they get into our bodies (exposures), what they do when they get there (toxicology), how we measure them (biomonitoring) and their impact on our health. Most examples are drawn from the US.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Public Health Toxicology
Details
The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness (Coursera) Coursera
University of Toronto

The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness (Coursera)

Health & Society

Learn how social factors promote mental health, influence the onset and course of mental illness, and affect how mental illnesses are diagnosed and treated. This course explores how our understanding of mental health and illness has been influenced by social attitudes and social developments in North America and around the world. The course begins by situating our contemporary mental health practices in historical context, then looks at different aspects of mental health, mental illness and mental health services and their connections to what’s going on in our social environment.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Social Mental
Details
Data Management for Clinical Research (Coursera) Coursera
Vanderbilt University

Data Management for Clinical Research (Coursera)

Health & Society Medicine & Pharmacology

This course presents critical concepts and practical methods to support planning, collection, storage, and dissemination of data in clinical research. Understanding and implementing solid data management principles is critical for any scientific domain. Regardless of your current (or anticipated) role in the research enterprise, a strong working knowledge and skill set in data management principles and practice will increase your productivity and improve your science. Our goal is to use these modules to help you learn and practice this skill set.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Data Data Management Clinical Research
Details
Child Nutrition and Cooking (Coursera) Coursera
Stanford University

Child Nutrition and Cooking (Coursera)

Food & Nutrition Health & Society

Eating patterns that begin in childhood affect health and well-being across the lifespan. The culture of eating has changed significantly in recent decades, especially in parts of the world where processed foods dominate our dietary intake. This course examines contemporary child nutrition and the impact of the individual decisions made by each family.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Nutrition Children Cooking
Details
Childbirth: A Global Perspective (Coursera) Coursera
Emory University

Childbirth: A Global Perspective (Coursera)

Sci: Biology & Life Sciences Health & Society

This course will review challenges for maternal and newborn health in the developing world, where a great many women and babies are suffering from complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and the days following birth. Themes covered include the epidemiology of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, relevant issues for the global health workforce, community-based interventions to improve maternal and newborn health and survival, and sociocultural dynamics surrounding birth.

Oct 19th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Health Childbirth Newborn Health
Details
Medical Neuroscience (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

Medical Neuroscience (Coursera)

Health & Society Medicine & Pharmacology

Medical Neuroscience explores the functional organization and neurophysiology of the human central nervous system, while providing a neurobiological framework for understanding human behavior. In this course, you will discover the organization of the neural systems in the brain and spinal cord that mediate sensation, motivate bodily action, and integrate sensorimotor signals with memory, emotion and related faculties of cognition. The overall goal of this course is to provide the foundation for understanding the impairments of sensation, action and cognition that accompany injury, disease or dysfunction in the central nervous system. The course will build upon knowledge acquired through prior studies of cell and molecular biology, general physiology and human anatomy, as we focus primarily on the central nervous system.

Oct 12th 2026
13-24 Weeks
Neuroscience Medicine Health
Details