Biology Meets Programming: Bioinformatics for Beginners

About this course: Are you interested in learning how to program (in Python) within a scientific setting? This course will cover algorithms for solving various biological problems along with a handful of programming challenges helping you implement these algorithms in Python. It offers a gently-paced introduction to our Bioinformatics Specialization (https://www.coursera.org/specializations/bioinformatics), preparing learners to take the first course in the Specialization, "Finding Hidden Messages in DNA" (https://www.coursera.org/learn/dna-analysis). Each of the four weeks in the course will consist of two required components. First, an interactive textbook provides Python programming challenges that arise from real biological problems. If you haven't programmed in Python before, not to worry! We provide "Just-in-Time" exercises from the Codecademy Python track (https://www.codecademy.com/learn/python). And each page in our interactive textbook has its own discussion forum, where you can interact with other learners. Second, each week will culminate in a summary quiz. Lecture videos are also provided that accompany the material, but these videos are optional.

Created by:  University of California, San Diego

• Taught by:  Pavel Pevzner, Professor

  Department of Computer Science and Engineering

• Taught by:  Phillip Compeau, Visiting Researcher

  Department of Computer Science & Engineering

Level Beginner Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.4 stars Average User Rating 4.4See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

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University of California, San Diego UC San Diego is an academic powerhouse and economic engine, recognized as one of the top 10 public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Innovation is central to who we are and what we do. Here, students learn that knowledge isn't just acquired in the classroom—life is their laboratory.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Week 1
Where in the Genome Does Replication Begin? (Part 1)


2 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Reading: Course Details
2. Reading: (Optional) Week 1 FAQs
3. Video: Optional: Where in the Genome Does DNA Replication Begin? (Part 1)
4. Video: Optional: Where in the Genome Does DNA Replication Begin? (Part 2)

Graded: Stepik Interactive Text for Week 1
Graded: Week 1 Quiz

WEEK 2


Week 2
Where in the Genome Does Replication Begin? (Part 2)


2 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Reading: (Optional) Week 2 FAQs
2. Video: Optional: Where in the Genome Does DNA Replication Begin? (Part 3)
3. Video: Optional: Where in the Genome Does DNA Replication Begin? (Part 4)

Graded: Stepik Interactive Text for Week 2
Graded: Week 2 Quiz

WEEK 3


Week 3
Which DNA Patterns Play the Role of Molecular Clocks? (Part 1)


3 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Reading: (Optional) Week 3 FAQs
2. Video: Optional: From Implanted Patterns to Regulatory Motifs (Part 1) (10:09)
3. Video: Optional: From Implanted Patterns to Regulatory Motifs (Part 2) (05:06)
4. Video: Optional: From Implanted Patterns to Regulatory Motifs (Part 3) (07:22)

Graded: Stepik Interactive Text for Week 3
Graded: Week 3 Quiz

WEEK 4


Week 4
Which DNA Patterns Play the Role of Molecular Clocks? (Part 2)


3 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Reading: (Optional) Week 4 FAQs
2. Video: Optional: How Rolling Dice Helps Us Find Regulatory Motifs (Part 1) (12:43)
3. Video: Optional: How Rolling Dice Helps Us Find Regulatory Motifs (Part 2) (05:37)
4. Video: Optional: How Rolling Dice Helps Us Find Regulatory Motifs (Part 3) (07:46)

Graded: Stepik Interactive Text for Week 4
Graded: Week 4 Quiz