What are the causes of disease? We know that most diseases result from a combination of genes and environment (nature and nurture). Our genes alone do not determine our fate. For most complex diseases, externalities - environmental factors in the broad sense - are more important. This includes our living and working environments, diet, social support and stress, pollution, and exposure to infectious agents. Exposome research is about discovering the non-genetic drivers of health and disease.
The exposome: cracking the science about what makes us sick
The exposome: cracking the science about what makes us sick
Instructors: Roel Vermeulen
1,611 already enrolled
Included with 
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level
Recommended experience
14 hours to complete
3 weeks at 4 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Details to know
Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Assessments
4 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review
There are 6 modules in this course
Welcome! Here you will find general information about the course. The learning objectives, the structure, and the requirements of completion will be presented to you. We will kick off with an introductory lecture by Prof. dr. Roel Vermeulen, a peer discussion assignment and a short quiz.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts
This week we will learn about how Exposome approaches are changing research into the etiology of cardiovascular diseases.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
This week we will address what the external Exposome is and how we can assess it. We will focus on two exposures: air pollution and the food environment.
What's included
2 videos2 readings2 discussion prompts
This week we delve into what the internal Exposome is, with a focus on metabolomics as one important approach.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
This week we look at the role of data science in Exposome research and the novel data science solutions.
What's included
1 video2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
In this final week of the course Roel Vermeulen describes which exposome deliverables we can expect in the near future. Some of the experts reflect on challenges and future perspectives in the field of Exposome research.
What's included
1 video4 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts
Instructors
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Public Health
Imperial College London
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Geneva
University of Michigan
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
New to Public Health? Start here.
Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.