Biology Meets Programming: Bioinformatics for Beginners (Coursera)

Biology Meets Programming: Bioinformatics for Beginners (Coursera)

Are you interested in learning how to program (in Python) within a scientific setting? This course will cover algorithms for solving various biological problems along with a handful of programming challenges helping you implement these algorithms in Python.

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

It offers a gently-paced introduction to our Bioinformatics Specialization, preparing learners to take the first course in the Specialization, "Finding Hidden Messages in DNA".
Each of the four weeks in the course will consist of two required components. First, an interactive textbook provides Python programming challenges that arise from real biological problems. If you haven't programmed in Python before, not to worry! And each page in our interactive textbook has its own discussion forum, where you can interact with other learners. Second, each week will culminate in a summary quiz.
Lecture videos are also provided that accompany the material, but these videos are optional.

Syllabus

Where in the Genome Does Replication Begin? (Part 1)
Where in the Genome Does Replication Begin? (Part 2)
Which DNA Patterns Play the Role of Molecular Clocks? (Part 1)
Which DNA Patterns Play the Role of Molecular Clocks? (Part 2)

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

Related Courses

An Introduction to the U.S. Food System: Perspectives from Public Health (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

An Introduction to the U.S. Food System: Perspectives from Public Health (Coursera)

A food system encompasses the activities, people and resources involved in getting food from field to plate. Along the way, it intersects with aspects of public health, equity and the environment. In this course, we will provide a brief introduction to the U.S. food system and how food production practices and what we choose to eat impacts the world in which we live. Through several case studies, we will discuss some key historical and political factors that have helped shape the current food system and consider alternative approaches from farm to fork.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Finding Mutations in DNA and Proteins (Bioinformatics VI) (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Finding Mutations in DNA and Proteins (Bioinformatics VI) (Coursera)

In previous courses in the Specialization, we have discussed how to sequence and compare genomes. This course will cover advanced topics in finding mutations lurking within DNA and proteins. In the first half of the course, we would like to ask how an individual's genome differs from the "reference genome" of the species.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Audio Signal Processing for Music Applications (Coursera) Coursera
Stanford University,Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Audio Signal Processing for Music Applications (Coursera)

In this course you will learn about audio signal processing methodologies that are specific for music and of use in real applications. We focus on the spectral processing techniques of relevance for the description and transformation of sounds, developing the basic theoretical and practical knowledge with which to analyze, synthesize, transform and describe audio signals in the context of music applications.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Case Studies in Personalized Medicine (Coursera) Coursera
Vanderbilt University

Case Studies in Personalized Medicine (Coursera)

Learn how advances in biomedicine hold the potential to revolutionize drug development, drug treatments, and disease prevention: where are we now, and what does the future hold? This course will present short primers in genetics and mechanisms underlying variability in drug responses. A series of case studies will be used to illustrate principles of how genetics are being brought to bear on refining diagnoses and on personalizing treatment in rare and common diseases. The ethical and operational issues around how to implement large scale genomic sequencing in clinical practice will be addressed.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Dopage : Sports, Organisations et Sciences (Coursera) Coursera
University of Lausanne

Dopage : Sports, Organisations et Sciences (Coursera)

L'objectif du cours est de permettre une compréhension distanciée du dopage. C’est pour atteindre cet objectif que le cours s’appuie sur une approche pluridisciplinaire qui constitue une opportunité d'observer comment diverses disciplines abordent un même objet, selon différents angles et de manière complémentaire. Il s'agit également de donner des repères permettant d'appréhender le dopage dans sa complexité.

Sep 14th 2026
4 Weeks
The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness (Coursera) Coursera
University of Toronto

The Social Context of Mental Health and Illness (Coursera)

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.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment (Coursera) Coursera
Indian School of Business - ISB

A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment (Coursera)

What are the determinants of a happy and fulfilling life? This is surely one of life’s biggest questions, and a question that has interested many of our ancestors. Buddha famously gave up his kingdom in search of happiness. Several Greek philosophers (from Aristotle to Epicurus and Plato to Socrates) had their own views on what it takes to be happy. And of course, we all have our own theories about happiness too.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks