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    • Computational Biology

    Computational Biology Courses Online

    Explore computational biology for analyzing biological data. Learn to apply algorithms and models to study genomes, proteins, and biological systems.

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    Explore the Computational Biology Course Catalog

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

      Dynamical Modeling Methods for Systems Biology

      Skills you'll gain: Matlab, Mathematical Modeling, Differential Equations, Computational Logic, Applied Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Simulations, Statistical Modeling, Biochemistry, Biology, Probability, Electrical Systems

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      220 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of California San Diego

      Drug Discovery

      Skills you'll gain: Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacology, Clinical Research, Bioinformatics, New Product Development, Medical Science and Research, Regulatory Affairs, Molecular Biology, Market Opportunities, Innovation, Chemistry

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.9K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      Science of Exercise

      Skills you'll gain: Kinesiology, Nutrition and Diet, Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Preventative Care, Respiration, Anatomy, Chronic Diseases, Vital Signs, Biochemistry, Biology, Cardiology

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      4.7K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • T

      Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

      Whole genome sequencing of bacterial genomes - tools and applications

      Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Data Analysis Software, Database Development, Analysis, Data Pipelines, Data Processing, Public Health, Data Quality

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.6K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • D

      Duke University

      Introductory Human Physiology

      Skills you'll gain: Respiration, Anatomy, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Nephrology, Urology, Kinesiology, Vital Signs, Neurology, Biology, Nutrition and Diet, Gynecology

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      5.2K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • D

      Duke University

      Dog Emotion and Cognition

      Skills you'll gain: Psychology, Learning Theory, Training Programs, Anthropology, Social Sciences, Experimentation, Research, Scientific Methods, Non-Verbal Communication, Biology

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      4.6K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • A

      American Museum of Natural History

      Marine Biology

      Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Biology, Environmental Science, Environment, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Environmental Issue, Natural Resource Management, Water Resources, Environment and Resource Management, Research

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      503 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      J

      Johns Hopkins University

      Command Line Tools for Genomic Data Science

      Skills you'll gain: Unix Commands, Bioinformatics, Unix, Data Management, Command-Line Interface, Molecular Biology, Linux Commands, Big Data, File Management, Data Analysis Software, Data Processing

      4
      Rating, 4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      562 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      C

      Coursera Project Network

      Computational Fluid Mechanics - Airflow Around a Spoiler

      Skills you'll gain: Simulation and Simulation Software, Engineering Analysis, Engineering, Prototyping, Computer-Aided Design, Cloud Computing

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      342 reviews

      Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Toronto

      Bioinformatic Methods II

      Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Network Analysis, Data Analysis, Big Data, Data Visualization Software, Scientific Visualization, Structural Analysis

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      486 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Genomics: Decoding the Universal Language of Life

      Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Environment, Precision Medicine, Biology, Health Systems, Medical Science and Research, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Computational Thinking, Data Processing, Experimentation, Research, Scientific Visualization

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      323 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      J

      Johns Hopkins University

      Cancer Biology

      Skills you'll gain: Oncology, Medical Imaging, Patient Education And Counseling, Molecular Biology, Clinical Trials, Preventative Care, Treatment Planning, Patient Evaluation, Primary Care, Pathology, Urology, Patient Treatment, Health Care, Internal Medicine, General Medical Tests and Procedures, Laboratory Testing, Precision Medicine, Anatomy, Biology, Medical Terminology

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      9.6K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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    1234…62

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular computational biology courses

    • Dynamical Modeling Methods for Systems Biology: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
    • Drug Discovery : University of California San Diego
    • Science of Exercise: University of Colorado Boulder
    • Whole genome sequencing of bacterial genomes - tools and applications: Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
    • Introductory Human Physiology: Duke University
    • Dog Emotion and Cognition: Duke University
    • Marine Biology: American Museum of Natural History
    • Command Line Tools for Genomic Data Science: Johns Hopkins University
    • Computational Fluid Mechanics - Airflow Around a Spoiler: Coursera Project Network
    • Bioinformatic Methods II: University of Toronto

    Skills you can learn in Algorithms

    Graphs (22)
    Mathematical Optimization (21)
    Computer Program (20)
    Data Structure (19)
    Problem Solving (19)
    Algebra (12)
    Computer Vision (10)
    Discrete Mathematics (10)
    Graph Theory (10)
    Image Processing (10)
    Linear Algebra (10)
    Reinforcement Learning (10)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Computational Biology

    Computational Biology is a multidisciplinary approach to applying data-scientific methods, processes, or theories to the study of biological systems. The field includes foundations in Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry, Genetics, Genomics, Computer Science, Evolution, and related disciplines.

    An example of Computational Biology is performing experiments that produce data—building sequences of molecules, for instance—and then using methods such as machine learning to analyze the data.

    When mastered, Computational Biology enables successful learners to bring drug discovery and disease prevention expertise to Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, and other essential fields.‎

    As Data Science roles pertaining to Biology become increasingly in-demand, learners exploring Computational Biology can find opportunities in commercial, academic, and government domains. The positions learners can look forward to include Computer and Information Research Scientist, Computational Biology Professor, Software and Instrumentation Test Engineer, Bioinformatics Scientist, and related roles.

    Some industries in which Computational Biology learners will find exciting opportunities include Medical Device and Equipment, Research and Testing, Agricultural Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, National Institutes of Health, and more.‎

    Courses in Computational Biology offered through Coursera explore various methods for extracting data from biological experiments. Learners discover how algorithms, data structures, and other computational methods can help them analyze DNA sequencing data. The basics in biological systems are covered so learners have a foundational understanding of DNA, genomics, and DNA sequencing. Hands-on learning of data science tools is available in many courses as well, where learners use Python, R Programming, and more to analyze real genomes and DNA sequencing datasets.‎

    Computational biology sits at the intersection of machine learning and life science, so if you possess skills in computer science and any of the various disciplines of biology, you’re ready to start learning computational biology. Having a working understanding of biology, pharmacology, and genetics can help you gain a foothold in learning computational biology, and the deeper your knowledge of those fields, the better off you’ll be in your studies. You can also benefit from a background in coding and computer programming, especially if you have experience using discrete mathematics for research and data analysis. An understanding of statistics can also give you an advantage in studying computational biology because you can apply the principles of statistics and data analysis to problem-solving within scientific disciplines.‎

    Since computational biology—also known as bioinformatics—is a scientific discipline that relies on the analysis of large amounts of data, people with analytical natures or backgrounds in statistics are well-suited for careers in this area. Individuals who are passionate about life science and want to apply technology to studying its various fields will enjoy jobs in computational biology. Computer programmers who have an interest in biology or genetics can combine their skills in building data structures with their passion for bioinformatics. Whether you want to work in academic research or for a medical corporation, you can put your scientific and computational knowledge to work in a career in computational biology.‎

    Computational biology might be the right field for you if you’re interested in biology and genetics beyond family trees and the insights from DNA test kits ordered online. If you have the desire to help develop the next revolutionary prescription or a passion to use data to help solve scientific issues, learning computational biology could be a good fit for you. You can take the skills in data analysis and computer programming that you learn studying computational biology to conduct research that helps lead to scientific breakthroughs. From pharmaceutical studies to academic research, learning computational biology offers rewarding opportunities for those who want to combine computer skills with scientific exploration.‎

    Online Computational Biology courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Computational Biology skills. Choose from a wide range of Computational Biology courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Computational Biology, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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