Free Biology Courses
Get access to a number of free biology courses offered from some of the United States' most prominent universities. You can get foundational knowledge on molecular and cell biology through introductory classes or learn more advanced concepts in areas like human reproduction, biochemical mechanisms and programmed cell death.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Through MIT's OpenCourseWare, individuals can access a number of free courses that cover topics such as fundamental principles in biology, the menstrual cycle, fertilization, microbiology, cell biology, genomes and experimental methods. The majority of these classes are for undergraduates and require students read materials published in textbooks and journals. Video and audio lectures are available for certain classes.
- Introductory Biology
- Human Reproductive Biology
- Experimental Biology and Communication
- Biological Chemistry II
- Experimental Molecular Biology: Biotechnology II
- Molecular Biology
University of Massachusetts Boston
Two classes that students can complete for free through this school's OpenCourseWare are general biology I and II. The general biology I course introduces students to the principles of biology. In the follow-up course, topics in life processed are covered. These classes include notes and audio lectures. Materials are also available for download. Both courses are taught by Professor Brian White, Ph.D, and are open to biology majors and non-biology majors.
University of California (UC) Berkeley
Many of UC Berkeley's free biology courses are available as YouTube and iTunes U video lectures. Some courses are available for audio listening through iTunes U. Individuals can access these courses through webcast.berkeley.edu or directly on YouTube or iTunes. Courses cover a range of subjects like cell structure and function, population biology and ecology, the muscular, digestive, respiratory and nervous system, DNA and gene replication.
- Biology 1A
- Biology 1AL
- Biology 1B
- Integrative Biology 131: General Human Anatomy
- Molecular and Cell Biology 110
Free Online Biology Courses At a Glance
| Courses and School | Program Level | Format | Assignments | Quizzes and Exams | Downloadable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Biology course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Undergraduate | Text, Audio,Video | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Human Reproductive Biology course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Graduate | Text | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Experimental Biology and Communication course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Undergraduate | Text | No | Yes | Yes |
| Biological Chemistry II course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Undergraduate | Text | Yes | No | Yes |
| Experimental Molecular Biology: Biotechnology II course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Undergraduate | Text | Yes | No | Yes |
| Molecular Biology course from Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Undergraduate/Graduate | Text | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| General Biology I course at University of Massachusetts Boston | Undergraduate | Text, Audio | Yes | Yes | No |
| General Biology II course at University of Massachusetts Boston | Undergraduate | Text, Audio | Yes | Yes | No |
| Biology 1A course from University of California Berkeley | Undergraduate | Video | No | No | No |
| Biology 1AL course from University of California Berkeley | Undergraduate | Video | No | No | No |
| Biology 1B course from University of California Berkeley | Undergraduate | Video | No | No | No |
| Integrative Biology 131: General Human Anatomy course from University of California Berkeley | Undergraduate | Video | No | No | No |
| Molecular Cell Biology 110 course from University of California Berkeley | Undergraduate | Audio | No | No |
