How long does it take to complete this course?

Plan on about 15 hours in total. At around 10 hours a week, that's roughly a week and a half of work, depending on how much extra review you want for the terminology. The course includes lessons, readings, guided practice exercises, quizzes, and a final exam.

Is this course more theory or more hands-on?

It's more concept-first, with guided practice built in. Most of the learning comes through lessons and readings, while flashcards, matching exercises, quizzes, and short assignments help you reinforce the terminology.

Medical Terminology I

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Medical Terminology I

This course is part of Medical Terminology Specialization

Instructor: Laura S. Kabiri

62,366 already enrolled

Included with

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6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

788 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

92%

Most learners liked this course

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

788 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

92%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Electronic Medical Record System

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

11 assignments

Taught in English

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Medical Terminology Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 6 modules in this course

This course will discuss the importance of learning medical language as well as introduce basic word parts and concepts applied in medical terminology. We will also learn about common organization and terms seen in medical records before moving into system-specific terms for the integumentary system (skin), musculoskeletal system (muscles and bones), and urinary (kidneys).

Specialization introduction, meet the professor, and self introduction

What's included

2 videos3 readings2 discussion prompts1 plugin

2 videosTotal 5 minutes

Specialization Introduction3 minutes
Meet your professor2 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

What you need to know about this course10 minutes
Discussion Forum Guidelines10 minutes
Disability Accommodation Statement10 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

How confident are you?10 minutes
Interested in a study group?10 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Introduce yourself and tell us where you're from15 minutes

Greetings! Welcome to the Introduction to Medical Language and Records module. This is the foundational module designed to set you up for success in the remainder of the specialization. We will begin by examining the purpose of medical language. Then we will explore common word parts and the guidelines for building and breaking down medical terms. We will also explore health records and look at a common template used for all health records: the SOAP note. We will conclude with a list of abbreviations unique to this module, but frequently used in health records. Though the amount of memorization in this module can be a bit overwhelming, this information is CRUCIAL to your success in all future modules. Your investment in this early material will pay dividends for the remainder of the specialization! Let's get started...

What's included

4 videos4 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts3 plugins

4 videosTotal 26 minutes

Why Study Medical Terminology?6 minutes
Word Parts3 minutes
Putting It All Together7 minutes
Medical Records and Abbreviations10 minutes

4 readingsTotal 40 minutes

Note pad for "Why Study Medical Terminology?"10 minutes
Note pad for "Word Parts"10 minutes
Note pad for "Putting It All Together"10 minutes
Note pad for "Medical Records and Abbreviations"10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Multiple-choice exercise for Suffixes15 minutes
Module 2 Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Why Study Medical Terminology?10 minutes
How to Study Medical Terminology?10 minutes

3 pluginsTotal 45 minutes

Matching game for Common Roots15 minutes
Flashcards for Prefixes15 minutes
Flashcard practice for Abbreviations15 minutes

Salutations! Welcome to the first of our body system modules: The Integumentary System. This module will introduce you to medical terms related to the skin. Following the SOAP note format, we will look at common complaints, tests, diagnoses, and treatments used in dermatology. Without further ado, let's get comfortable with our own skin...

What's included

5 videos5 readings4 assignments2 discussion prompts2 plugins

5 videosTotal 35 minutes

Integumentary - Intro and Word Parts7 minutes
Integumentary - Subjective Terms8 minutes
Integumentary - Objective Terms6 minutes
Integumentary - Assessment Terms6 minutes
Integumentary - Plan Terms8 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Note pad for "Integumentary - Intro and Word Parts"10 minutes
Note pad for "Integumentary - Subjective Terms"10 minutes
Note pad for "Integumentary - Objective Terms"10 minutes
Note pad for "Integumentary - Assessment Terms"10 minutes
Note pad for "Integumentary - Plan Terms"10 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 75 minutes

Multiple-choice exercise for "Integumentary - Intro & Word Parts"15 minutes
Multiple-choice & text-entry exercise for "Integumentary - Subjective Terms"15 minutes
Multiple-choice & text-entry exercise for "Integumentary - Assessment Terms"15 minutes
Module 3 Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

"Fun facts" about the skin10 minutes
Myths on skin disorders10 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 30 minutes

Matching game for "Integumentary - Objective Terms"15 minutes
Flashcard exercise for "Integumentary - Plan Terms"15 minutes

Hello! Welcome to the musculoskeletal system module. This module will introduce you to medical terms related to the muscles and bones. Following the SOAP note format, we will look at common complaints, tests, diagnoses, and treatments used in orthopedics. As your musculoskeletal system says to your body, let's get moving...

What's included

5 videos5 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts4 plugins

5 videosTotal 34 minutes

Musculoskeletal - Introduction and Word Parts9 minutes
Musculoskeletal - Subjective Terms 6 minutes
Musculoskeletal - Objective Terms6 minutes
Musculoskeletal - Assessment Terms6 minutes
Musculoskeletal - Plan Terms6 minutes

5 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Note pad for "Musculoskeletal - Intro and Word Parts"10 minutes
Note pad for "Musculoskeletal - Subjective Terms"10 minutes
Note pad for "Musculoskeletal - Objective Terms"10 minutes
Note pad for "Musculoskeletal - Assessment Terms"10 minutes
Note pad for "Musculoskeletal - Plan Terms"10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Multiple-choice exercise for "Musculoskeletal - Intro and Word Parts"15 minutes
Module 4 Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Who also treats disorders of the musculoskeletal system?10 minutes
Musculoskeletal or orthopedic abbreviations10 minutes

4 pluginsTotal 60 minutes

Matching game for "Musculoskeletal - Subjective Terms"15 minutes
Matching game for "Musculoskeletal - Objective Terms"15 minutes
Write-the-term exercise for "Musculoskeletal - Assessment Terms"15 minutes
Matching game for "Musculoskeletal - Plan Terms"15 minutes

Hi! Welcome to the urinary system module. This module will introduce you to medical terms related to the kidneys and bladder. Following the SOAP note format, we will look at common complaints, tests, diagnoses, and treatments used in urology and proctology.

What's included

3 videos3 readings2 assignments2 discussion prompts2 plugins

3 videosTotal 12 minutes

Urinary - Intro and Word Parts4 minutes
Urinary - Subjective and Objective Terms5 minutes
Urinary - Assessment and Plan Terms4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Note pad for "Urinary - Intro and Word Parts"10 minutes
Note pad for "Urinary - Subjective and Objective Terms"10 minutes
Note pad for "Urinary - Assessment and Plan Terms"10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 45 minutes

Multiple-choice & spelling exercise for "Urinary - Intro and Word Parts15 minutes
Module 5 Quiz30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Complaints about Kidneys or Bladder10 minutes
Surprising Part of a Visit to a Urologist Office10 minutes

2 pluginsTotal 30 minutes

Matching game for "Urinary - Subjective and Objective Terms"15 minutes
Flashcards for "Urinary - Assessment and Plan Terms"15 minutes

Congratulations on making it to the final assessment module of this course! This module is going to look a little different from the rest. The good news: you don't have watch any more lectures, take any notes, or play any Quizlet game in this module. The other news: you DO have to take an exam. But don't worry. As long as you've paid attention in the previous modules, you've got this. Besides, this exam is fun! You will see.

What's included

1 video1 reading1 assignment1 peer review2 discussion prompts

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Course Conclusion1 minute

1 readingTotal 10 minutes

Please read before you start the final assessments10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Course I Final Exam30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 30 minutes

Test your skills with a real-life example--Optional30 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Questions or concerns about exam preparation?10 minutes
We Want Your Feedback!10 minutes

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Instructor

Instructor ratings

(262 ratings)

Laura S. Kabiri

Rice University

9 Courses79,358 learners

Offered by

Rice University

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Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

I took this course to refresh my memory of medical terminology for coding purposes and I really enjoyed it. I like that it is broken down into smaller parts and they are all quick.

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2026

The instructor was amazing. She spoke very clearly and articulated the pronunciation of each term. This course built my confidence to utilize online courses to meet my goals.

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2024

I have learned so much thanks to Coursera for being very flexible with timing. Being a mother who works full time and has four children i did not think i could do it.

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Frequently asked questions

You'll learn how to decode medical language and make sense of common healthcare documentation. It starts with basic word parts and abbreviations, then builds into terminology for the skin, musculoskeletal system, and urinary system, using the SOAP note as a guide. For example, you'll practice connecting a term to a symptom, a finding, or a treatment in a medical record.

No, you don't need a healthcare background to begin. The course starts with basic word parts and common medical records language before moving into system-specific terminology. If anything, a willingness to memorize and review terms regularly will help more than prior experience.

Yes, it's a good fit if you're new to medical terminology and want a clear starting point. The lessons begin with how medical language works and then reinforce it through guided exercises, flashcards, and quizzes rather than assuming prior knowledge. It may feel heavier if you want advanced clinical depth right away, because the focus is introductory language and documentation skills.

Yes, but the hands-on work is mostly guided practice rather than open-ended projects. You'll use flashcards, matching games, quizzes, and short written exercises to identify word parts, translate terms, and connect vocabulary to medical records, and the final assessment includes SOAP note analysis. That setup helps you apply each concept as you learn it.

You'll spend most of your time on decoding medical terms, understanding common documentation language, and learning vocabulary for a few major body systems. That includes word parts, abbreviations, electronic health records, and SOAP-note organization, followed by terminology for the skin, musculoskeletal system, and urinary system. The emphasis is on reading and interpreting the language used around symptoms, findings, diagnoses, tests, and treatments.

You should be able to break down many common medical terms, recognize common abbreviations, and follow the basic organization of a medical record. For example, you could read a simple SOAP-style note and identify whether a term refers to a patient complaint, an observed finding, or part of a treatment plan. That's useful if you want stronger medical vocabulary and a clearer understanding of common healthcare documentation.

This course is a strong choice if you want medical terminology taught in the context of actual healthcare documentation, not just as a vocabulary list. It connects word parts to SOAP notes, abbreviations, and body-system examples in dermatology, orthopedics, and urology, with steady guided practice throughout. If you want a beginner course that helps you understand how terms are used in records and common clinical language, it's a strong fit.

Medical Terminology I

Medical Terminology I

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your subject-matter expertise

There are 6 modules in this course

Welcome to Medical Terminology Part 1

What's included

Introduction to Medical Language and Records

What's included

Integumentary System

What's included

Musculoskeletal System

What's included

Urinary System

What's included

Course Final Assessments and Conclusion

What's included

Earn a career certificate

Instructor

Offered by

Explore more from Basic Science

Medical Terminology, Anatomy, and Physiology Fundamentals

Medical Terminology and the Human Body Fundamentals

Medical Terminology II

Medical Terminology

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

Chaitanya A.

Learner reviews

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Frequently asked questions

What will I actually learn in this medical terminology course?

Do I need any healthcare background before starting this course?

Is this course beginner-friendly for medical terminology?

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