What is Molecular Biology, and why is it important to learn?

Molecular Biology is the study of life at the molecular level. It deals with how the various systems of the cell interact with each other—such as those between DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis—and how these interactions are regulated. Biology and Chemistry overlap with Molecular Biology, particularly in the areas of Genetics and Biochemistry. Researchers use techniques and ideas from these fields in their Molecular Biology studies. Many diseases start at the molecular level. Successful learners who want a career in Molecular Biology can help to prevent these diseases by developing new vaccines, more effective medicines, plants with improved qualities, and many more biological and biomedical uses.

What jobs can you get in Molecular Biology?

Learners who study Molecular Biology extensively can gain valuable skills and knowledge on biological processes that occur at the cellular level. This can make them candidates for roles such as Clinical Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Sales in Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceutical Scientist, Physician Assistant, Research Coordinator, Research Scientist, Science Writer, Teacher or Professor, Toxicologist, and of course, Molecular Biologist.

How can online courses help you learn Molecular Biology?

Molecular Biology courses offered through Coursera provide learners with information on cancer causes and treatments; an overview of genome sequences that reveal disease predispositions; the opportunity to debate about evolution; hands-on Python programming challenges; and other ways to explore practical applications of Molecular Biology studies.

What skills or experiences do I need to already have before learning molecular biology?

A scientific background can be helpful before learning about molecular biology. This could include working in a lab, doing academic research, teaching at the high school or postsecondary levels, science journalism, or science writing. Working in public health or in a health care setting, like a hospital, clinic, doctor's office, or pharmacy, may also be helpful. Previous academic experience can also be helpful, such as earning a degree or taking classes in bioengineering, biology, and other biosciences. If you attended medical school, dental school, or pharmacy school, you may have a better understanding of microbiology when you start learning it. A background and good understanding of advanced math concepts can also be helpful.

What kind of person is best suited for a career in molecular biology?

Because those who work in microbiology can work in many different settings—ranging from laboratories to hospitals to government agencies—the type of person suited to work in the field may vary. However, all people who have roles in the field of microbiology must be scientific thinkers with good analytical skills. You must also enjoy and be good at research and willing to research and learn for the duration of your career, as advancements and new discoveries are made each year. You must be organized and logical as well as a good observer and problem solver who can think on your feet. Finally, you'll need good interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.

How do I know if learning molecular biology is right for me?

If you have a passion for science, particularly biology and the smallest cells that make up and lead to biological activity, learning molecular biology may be right for you. You may be interested in working as a scientist, coming up with new diagnoses, treatments, and therapies for diseases, or you may be interested in becoming a medical professional and looking for a foundation on which to begin your career. Learning about microbiology can lead to careers in government, education, public health, and private industry. Wages for all of these careers vary, but they are usually competitive, and the need for more science-minded employees in the future is great.

What are the benefits of taking an online Molecular Biology course?

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

What Molecular Biology courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Molecular 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 .

Top Molecular Biology Courses - Learn Molecular Biology Online

Johns Hopkins University

Cancer Biology

Skills you'll gain: Patient Education and Support, Life Sciences, Treatment Planning, Patient Treatment, General Medical Tests and Procedures, Clinical Research, Medical Science and Research, Image Analysis, Surgery, Anatomy, Radiology, Risk Analysis, Clinical Trials, Epidemiology, Health Care, General Science and Research, Science and Research

Status: Free

Duke University

Introduction to Genetics and Evolution

Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Biostatistics, Environment, General Science and Research, Taxonomy, Scientific Methods, Statistical Methods, Mathematical Modeling

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Systems Biology and Biotechnology

Skills you'll gain: Matlab, Bioinformatics, Quantitative Research, Unsupervised Learning, Data Synthesis, Mathematical Modeling, Science and Research, Analysis, Life Sciences, Scientific Methods, Differential Equations, Computational Thinking, Systems Analysis, Model Based Systems Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Mining, Network Analysis, Medical Science and Research, Systems Engineering, Data Integration

Johns Hopkins University

Introduction to the Biology of Cancer

Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Treatment Planning, Clinical Research, General Medical Tests and Procedures, Medical Science and Research, Image Analysis, Epidemiology, Risk Analysis, Anatomy, General Science and Research

Status: Free

University of Manchester

Introduction to Molecular Spectroscopy

Skills you'll gain: Experimentation, Quantitative Research, Vibrations, General Science and Research, Simulation and Simulation Software, Physical Science, Systems Of Measurement

Status: Free

University of California San Diego

Biology Meets Programming: Bioinformatics for Beginners

Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Programming Principles, Computational Thinking, Analysis

Johns Hopkins University

Introduction to Genomic Technologies

Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Data Science, Science and Research, Data Analysis, Programming Principles, Computer Science, Statistical Analysis, Computational Thinking, Life Sciences, Big Data, Biostatistics, Statistical Methods, Software Engineering, Algorithms

Status: Free

Tel Aviv University

Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows

Skills you'll gain: Scientific Methods, General Science and Research, Research, Life Sciences, Experimentation, Psychology, Environment, Anatomy

Status: Free

University of Manchester

Industrial Biotechnology

Skills you'll gain: Process Engineering, Life Sciences, Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing and Production, Manufacturing Processes, Environment, Process Development, Engineering, Regulatory Compliance, Scalability

Status: Free

Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Antimicrobial resistance - theory and methods

Skills you'll gain: Quality Assurance, Infectious Diseases, Bioinformatics, Clinical Laboratory Science, Epidemiology, Data Collection

University of California San Diego

Finding Hidden Messages in DNA (Bioinformatics I)

Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Data Analysis, Life Sciences, Statistical Analysis, Computational Logic

Status: Free

Stanford University

RNA Biology with Eterna

Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Life Sciences, Pharmaceuticals, Research and Design, Medical Science and Research, Engineering Design Process

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