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Fundamentals of Genetics

via Coursera Specialization

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Details

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Provider

Coursera Specialization
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

4 weeks, 10 hours a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Intermediate

Found in

Overview

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Genetics helps us understand some of biology’s biggest questions: How are traits inherited? How does DNA shape who we are? And how do genes and genomes change over time? In this Specialization, you’ll build a connected understanding of genetics, starting with the foundations of inheritance and working toward molecular genetics, gene regulation, genomics, biotechnology, cancer genetics, and evolution. Along the way, you’ll explore how chromosomes and DNA carry genetic information, how genes are expressed and regulated, and how genetic variation shapes individuals and populations. Through engaging readings, practice, and problem solving, you’ll learn to connect what happens at the molecular level with the inheritance patterns and biological variation we see in the world around us.

Syllabus

Course 1: Genetics Foundations and Heredity Principles
Course 2: Genetic Mapping and Microbial Genetic Systems
Course 3: DNA Structure, Replication, and Transcription
Course 4: Translation, Gene Regulation, Mutation, and Biotech
Course 5: Genomics, Cancer, and Evolutionary Genetics

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Build a foundation in genetics by examining how DNA stores genetic information, how it is transmitted, and how it influences traits.. Drawing on trusted content from genetics experts, including Benjamin A. Pierce, author of Genetics Essentials published by Macmillan Learning, the course explores the role of genetics in biology and society, genetic organization in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and chromosome behavior during mitosis and meiosis. You will use Mendel’s principles of segregation, dominance, and independent assortment to interpret monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, apply probability and chi-square reasoning to genetic data, and analyze pedigrees. The course also extends beyond basic Mendelian patterns to explore sex determination, sex-linked inheritance, multiple alleles, gene interactions, sex-influenced traits, and environmental effects on phenotype. Through videos, readings, dialogues, concept checks, graded assignments, and flashcards, you will practice explaining inheritance patterns, evaluating genetic hypotheses, and connecting genotype to phenotype. Historical examples and human genetics cases show how scientists use evidence to study heredity. By the end, you will be able to reason across foundational and modified inheritance patterns using core genetics concepts and evidence. This course is part of the Genetics Essentials Specialization, but can also be taken independently.