Top Online Biology Courses

Biology is the study of life, from how it works to why it works. Biological studies vary from the molecular level all the way up to communities and large populations. Knowledge of biology can create vast career opportunities in fields such as agriculture, medicine, and research. The following guide highlights top online courses in biology and the benefits of studying biology online.

Prospective learners can take online biology courses for many reasons. People who want to prove their knowledge to employers can pursue certificates. Others may simply want to learn more about biology or begin a career in the field. Below you’ll find reasons why students might choose to take a particular path.

Many universities and MOOC websites offer online biology courses covering topics from cell structure to ecology. Below we list high-quality biology classes and details to consider before enrolling.

Students learn how to create evolutionary trees. They also learn how scientists can determine the genetic similarities among extinct and living animals. For example, students will be able to explain how scientists know that modern-day birds evolved from dinosaurs.

This course teaches statistical and mathematical methods commonly used in the study of systems biology. Students learn how to analyze genetic data for future research endeavors. A background in cellular biology, calculus, and statistics is recommended.

This intermediate course teaches the mathematical principles behind the human genome. Part one addresses how science helps us interpret small sections of human DNA. Part two studies antibiotics and how they can be created using techniques similar to those used to read human DNA.

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.

Systems biology examines the role of biological organisms within an entire ecosystem. Students use basic mathematical principles to model biological behavior. A high school-level understanding of math is adequate.

The chemistry of life combines biology and chemistry. The course teaches students how to develop innovative research ideas. No prior biology or chemistry knowledge is required.

This basic course covers high school and first-year college material. Students explore basic biological concepts like cellular respiration and genetics. No prior biology knowledge is required.

This intermediate course looks at biology from a physical sciences perspective and provides a foundation for quantitative biology. Incoming students should be familiar with algebraic, calculus, and statistical concepts.

This course examines the physiological basis of human and animal senses. Specifically, coursework examines the neurological workings of the senses. Examples include vision, (color and pattern), hearing (responses and sound localization), and the relationship between senses and behavior.

This course explains the modern approach to human disease from both biological and treatment perspectives. It focuses on the genetic component of diseases, especially cancer, and their cellular and molecular foundations.

From professional marketing or personal enrichment to advancing their degrees, there are many reasons students might take biology courses online. Below, we list a few reasons.

Biology is not an easy science to learn. The following list of apps can make learning about biology a little easier.

The biggest mistake people make in creating online biology courses is that they try to mimic the classroom setting. In other words, they take the most boring, least effective method of education, and then digitize it. Instead, use tutoring as your starting point. Our Vohra Method courses, for example, are based on rigorous, Socratic style tutoring. Khan Academy courses are inspired by the more familiar didactic style of tutoring.

Depending on your goals, you can get the benefits of the lab parts of a non-online biology course either by watching videos of labs or by interning at a research lab. Watching a few demonstration videos can help solidify your understanding of abstract concepts. Working at a lab can show you how tedious working at a lab can be, and help you decide if you actually want to do that.

College graduates and those that opted out of college should consider the GRE Biology Test. Like the AP, this is a knowledge and understanding test. You don’t need to have a bachelor’s degree or any number of in-class hours. The test just measures what you know.

Online education is the future. It is already doing to non-online education what Netflix did to Blockbuster. Even students in traditional schools rely on online videos by world-class teachers. Subjects that are both information-dense and concept-heavy, like biology, particularly benefit from the online approach.