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    • Microbiology

    Microbiology Courses Online

    Learn microbiology for studying microorganisms. Understand microbial genetics, pathogenesis, and the role of microbes in health and disease.

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    Explore the Microbiology Course Catalog

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Copenhagen

      Bacteria and Chronic Infections

      Skills you'll gain: Microbiology, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Biology, Pathology, Pharmacology

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.9K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      T

      Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

      Antimicrobial resistance - theory and methods

      Skills you'll gain: Laboratory Testing, Quality Assurance, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Bioinformatics, Medical Laboratory, Clinical Laboratory Science, Epidemiology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Data Quality, Medical Science and Research, Biology, Public Health, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.5K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      T

      Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

      Whole genome sequencing of bacterial genomes - tools and applications

      Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Data Analysis Software, Database Development, Analysis, Data Pipelines, Data Processing, Public Health, Data Quality

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.6K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of California San Diego

      Algae Biotechnology

      Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Environmental Issue, Corporate Sustainability, Regulatory Requirements, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Commercialization, Regulatory Affairs, Company, Product, and Service Knowledge, Production Process, New Product Development, Product Development, Environmental Engineering, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Biology, Innovation

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      577 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Manchester

      Industrial Biotechnology

      Skills you'll gain: Process Engineering, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biology, Pharmaceuticals, Environmental Engineering, Manufacturing Processes, Process Development, Microbiology

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.5K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      S

      Stanford University

      Stories of Infection

      Skills you'll gain: Health Disparities, Infectious Diseases, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Health Equity, Socioeconomics, Public Health, Microbiology, Pathology, Patient Evaluation, Patient Treatment, Preventative Care, Vital Signs

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.8K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      Gut Check: Exploring Your Microbiome

      Skills you'll gain: Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Life Sciences, Health Informatics, Big Data, Biostatistics, Data Analysis, Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Diet, Biology, Data Collection

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.2K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Virginia

      Bacterial Bioinformatics

      Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Scientific Visualization, Taxonomy, Command-Line Interface, Data Integration, Data Import/Export, Data Storage, File Management

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      244 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      S

      Stanford University

      Antibiotic Stewardship

      Skills you'll gain: Pharmacology, Infection Control, Hospital Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Patient Evaluation, Medication Therapy Management, Medical Prescription, Patient Safety, Microbiology, Public Health, Health Care Procedure and Regulation, Long Term Care

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      720 reviews

      Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • R

      Rice University

      Fundamentals of Immunology

      Skills you'll gain: Public Health, Infectious Diseases, Anatomy, Pharmacology, Preventative Care, Molecular Biology, Medical Terminology, Oncology, Pathology, Laboratory Testing, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Patient Treatment, Biology, Medical Science and Research, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Laboratory Research, Emerging Technologies

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.2K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Leeds

      Transmitting and Fighting Infectious Diseases

      Skills you'll gain: Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, Infection Control, Pharmacology, Epidemiology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Medical Science and Research

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      44 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • J

      Johns Hopkins University

      Cancer Biology

      Skills you'll gain: Oncology, Medical Imaging, Patient Education And Counseling, Molecular Biology, Clinical Trials, Preventative Care, Treatment Planning, Patient Evaluation, Primary Care, Pathology, Urology, Patient Treatment, Health Care, Internal Medicine, General Medical Tests and Procedures, Laboratory Testing, Precision Medicine, Anatomy, Biology, Medical Terminology

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      9.6K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular microbiology courses

    • Bacteria and Chronic Infections: University of Copenhagen
    • Antimicrobial resistance - theory and methods: Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
    • Whole genome sequencing of bacterial genomes - tools and applications: Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
    • Algae Biotechnology: University of California San Diego
    • Industrial Biotechnology: University of Manchester
    • Stories of Infection: Stanford University
    • Gut Check: Exploring Your Microbiome: University of Colorado Boulder
    • Bacterial Bioinformatics: University of Virginia
    • Antibiotic Stewardship : Stanford University
    • Fundamentals of Immunology: Rice University

    Frequently Asked Questions about Microbiology

    Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms and their structures, functions, uses, and modes of existence. One common example of Microbiology is bacteria and their effects on biological systems, such as the resistance they develop to antibiotics and other clinical interventions.

    Microbiology is critical to understanding the role microorganisms play in our everyday lives. Knowing how they cause disease affecting humans, plants, and animals enables Microbiologists to explore solutions for the maintenance and modification of agriculture, healthcare, and medicine.‎

    According to collegegrad.com, more Microbiologists will be needed over the next 10 years to contribute to basic research, solve problems in industrial production processes, and monitor environmental conditions to ensure public health and safety. But jobs in Microbiology don’t end with Microbiologists—learners can find opportunities as Lab Supervisors, Bacteriologists, Mycologists, Parasitologists, Public Health Specialists, Virologists, Teachers and Professors, and other related roles.‎

    Courses offered through Coursera cover the critical uses of Microbiology. Learners can explore what antibiotics and antimicrobials are, what they do, where they come from, and how they act on bacterial cells. The theories and methods of antimicrobial resistance are covered, including testing, detection, and analysis. These lessons enable successful course takers to understand resistance concepts and apply genomic analysis tools, including Whole Genome Sequencing (WSG) data with selected online tools such as Resfinder.‎

    Any type of scientific background can be helpful before learning microbiology. You may have worked in a lab, at a research institution, or at a university. High school or college coursework in closely related subjects can be helpful too. This might include biology, biochemistry, cell biology, or any other type of biological science. This could also include physiology, virology, microbial physiology, chemistry, and physics. Coursework in math and statistics can be beneficial as well. Even a background in computer science can help prepare you to study microbiology. Depending on the context in which you want to learn microbiology, a background in fields like public health, agriculture, environmental studies, veterinary science, biosafety, and quality control may all help prepare you to learn about microbiology.‎

    An interest in science is definitely necessary for anyone who wants a role that uses microbiology. You'll also need to be a person who is analytical, curious, and detail-oriented. Written and verbal communication skills are a must, as are good interpersonal skills, as you'll often find yourself working with a team in this field. Those who enter the microbiology field must be good at math, and you'll need strong computer skills too, so you can use scientific and medical software required for the job.‎

    Learning microbiology is right for you if you have a curiosity about the changing world and a passion for understanding the microscopic organisms within it and how they impact humans, animals, and the environment. The field is very research-oriented, and many who enter it spend their time working in a lab, conducting experiments, and examining organisms that aren't visible to the naked eye. Learning microbiology can help prepare you for a career as a scientist or researcher, or it may even help prepare you for the medical field. If you want to work in an environment such as a hospital, lab, university, or environmental organization, you may consider a foundation that includes learning microbiology.‎

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

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Microbiology, 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.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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