What are the best bioinformatics courses on Coursera?

Top courses include the Bioinformatics Specialization from the University of California, San Diego and Genomic Data Science from Johns Hopkins University . These programs cover algorithms , DNA sequencing , data analysis , and tools like Python , R , and Bioconductor.

Can I learn bioinformatics for free on Coursera?

Yes. Many bioinformatics courses offer a free audit option. You can access video lessons and readings at no cost. To earn a certificate or complete assessments, you’ll need to pay or apply for financial aid.

What will I learn in a bioinformatics course?

You’ll learn how to analyze genomic and biological data, use bioinformatics tools and databases , and apply algorithms for DNA and RNA sequencing, gene expression, and evolutionary analysis. Some courses also teach programming and statistics for biological data.

Do I need a background in biology or programming to take bioinformatics courses?

Some familiarity with biology or coding (especially in Python or R ) is helpful, but not always required. Many introductory courses are designed to teach the fundamentals step by step, while more advanced courses assume prior experience in biology, computer science , or statistics .

Can bioinformatics courses on Coursera help me in my career?

Yes. Bioinformatics is a rapidly growing field with roles in healthcare , research , biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. Coursera courses can help you build technical and analytical skills, prepare for graduate studies, or qualify for roles in data science , genomics , and computational biology.

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Find the Best Bioinformatics Course for Your Goals

Vanderbilt University
Case Studies in Personalized Medicine
Skills you'll gain: Precision Medicine, Medical Science and Research, Health Informatics, Biostatistics, Electronic Medical Record, Healthcare Ethics, General Medicine, Clinical Research, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
497 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Rice University
Introduction to Biology: Evolution
Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Biology, Taxonomy, Anatomy, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Scientific Methods, Research
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
58 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Northeastern University
Health Informatics for Healthcare Professionals
Skills you'll gain: Health Informatics, Health Information Management, Health Systems, Health Technology, Health Care, Health Care Administration, Medical Records, Data Sharing, Electronic Medical Record, Interoperability, Decision Support Systems, Data Management, Data Storage, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
23 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Culminating Project in Health Informatics
Skills you'll gain: Health Informatics, Health Care, Health Technology, Health Information Management, Systems Analysis, Health Care Administration, Technical Communication, Requirements Analysis, Data Access, User Centered Design
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
60 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Cape Town
Julia Scientific Programming
Skills you'll gain: Box Plots, Jupyter, Statistical Analysis, Data Visualization, Scientific Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Data Manipulation, Data Science, Other Programming Languages, Data Import/Export, Computer Programming, Mathematical Modeling, Package and Software Management
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
433 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
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
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Genomics for Law
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Medical Science and Research, Criminal Investigation and Forensics, Medical Privacy, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Legal Research, Legal Proceedings, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Case Law, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Lawsuits
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
159 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
The Little Stuff: Energy, Cells, and Genetics
Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Biology, Oncology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, Medical Science and Research, Precision Medicine, Healthcare Ethics, Emerging Technologies
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
113 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Northeastern University
Healthcare Data Management and Information Systems
Skills you'll gain: Health Informatics, Health Information Management, Health Care Administration, Digital Transformation, Health Systems, Health Care, Electronic Medical Record, Medical Records, Emerging Technologies, Telehealth, Information Privacy, Technology Strategies, Cybersecurity, Regulatory Compliance, Innovation
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
15 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California San Diego
Genome Assembly Programming Challenge
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Graph Theory, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, Network Analysis, Program Development, Molecular Biology, Computational Thinking, Algorithms
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
346 reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Geneva
Classical papers in molecular genetics
Skills you'll gain: Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, Life Sciences, Laboratory Research, Microbiology, Experimentation
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
239 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Specialty Topics: Biology Across Disciplines
Skills you'll gain: Human Development, Biology, Child Development, Music, Decision Making, Liberal Arts, Life Sciences, Education and Training, Psychology, Science and Research, Business Economics, Clinical Trials
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
26 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months