• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
Log In
Join for Free
Coursera
  • Browse
  • Animal

Animal Courses Online

Study animal biology and behavior for careers in veterinary science and zoology. Learn about different species and their ecosystems.

Skip to search results

Filter by

Subject
Required
 *

Language
Required
 *

The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

Learning Product
Required
 *

Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.
Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.
Learn a new tool or skill in an interactive, hands-on environment.
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.

Level
Required
 *

Duration
Required
 *

Skills
Required
 *

Subtitles
Required
 *

Educator
Required
 *

Explore the Animal Course Catalog

  • T

    The University of Edinburgh

    Animal Behaviour and Welfare

    Skills you'll gain: Behavioral Health, Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Management, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Stress Management, Qualitative Research, Scientific Methods, Experimentation, Environmental Issue, Nutrition and Diet

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    5.4K reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • T

    The University of Edinburgh

    EDIVET: Do you have what it takes to be a veterinarian?

    Skills you'll gain: Anatomy, Vital Signs, Cardiology, Basic Patient Care, Physiology, Patient Observation, Biology, Clinical Assessment, Patient Communication

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    2.5K reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    T

    The University of Edinburgh

    Animal Welfare in the Clinic

    Skills you'll gain: Anesthesiology, Pain Management, Clinical Experience, Patient Preparation, Patient Education And Counseling, Vital Signs, Clinical Monitoring, De-escalation Techniques, Environmental Science, Patient Observation, Behavioral Health, Pharmacology, Behavior Management, Stress Management, Physiology

    5
    Rating, 5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    36 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    D

    Duke University

    Dog Emotion and Cognition

    Skills you'll gain: Cognitive flexibility, Psychology, Compassion, Learning Theory, Social Skills, Empathy, Anthropology, Train The Trainer, Experimentation, Research, General Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Cultural Diversity, Cooperation, Non-Verbal Communication, Biology

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

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Colorado Boulder

    Animals and Society

    Skills you'll gain: Social Studies, Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Healthcare Ethics, Psychology, Laboratory Research, Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Research, Media and Communications, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Cultural Diversity, Food and Beverage, Rehabilitation, Environmental Issue, Biology, Non-Verbal Communication, Nutrition and Diet, Sports Medicine

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    206 reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

  • T

    The University of Edinburgh

    The Truth About Cats and Dogs

    Skills you'll gain: Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Management, Cultural Diversity, General Science and Research, Scientific Methods, Caregiving, Non-Verbal Communication, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Research, Biology

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    2.4K reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    U

    University of Florida

    The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management

    Skills you'll gain: Nutrition and Diet, Preventative Care, Care Management, Behavior Management, Anatomy, Vital Signs, Physiology, Infectious Diseases, Pharmacology, First Aid, Psychology

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
    ·
    983 reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Colorado Boulder

    Animals, Self, and Society

    Skills you'll gain: Social Studies, Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Media and Communications, Cultural Diversity, Environment and Resource Management

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    142 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    A

    American Museum of Natural History

    Marine Biology

    Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Biology, Environmental Science, Environment, Biochemistry, Physiology, Hydrology, Environmental Issue, Anatomy, Water Quality, Behavioral Health, Research

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    568 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    T

    The University of Edinburgh

    Chicken Behaviour and Welfare

    Skills you'll gain: Behavior Management, Behavioral Health, Health Assessment, Learning Theory, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Human Learning, Non-Verbal Communication, Thermal Management, Nutrition and Diet

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.2K reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of California, Irvine

    Conflict Management

    Skills you'll gain: Conflict Management, Active Listening, Intercultural Competence, Cultural Diversity, Social Skills, Communication Strategies, Interpersonal Communications, De-escalation Techniques, Verbal Communication Skills, Cultural Sensitivity, Mediation, Case Studies, Stakeholder Management, Teamwork, Cooperation, Collaboration, Communication, Portfolio Management, Leadership, Organizational Effectiveness

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    2.4K reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    R

    Rice University

    Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity

    Skills you'll gain: Biology, Environment, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Life Sciences, Environmental Issue, Sustainable Development, Natural Resource Management, Physiology, Molecular Biology, Taxonomy, Cell Biology, Anatomy, Climate Change Adaptation, Estimation, Mathematical Modeling, Scientific Methods, Climate Change Mitigation, Experimentation, Case Studies

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    230 reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Animal learners also search

Animal Health
Animal Psychology
Science
Animal Behavior
Animal Breeding
Food
Forensic
Food Science
1234…12

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

  • Animal Behaviour and Welfare: The University of Edinburgh
  • EDIVET: Do you have what it takes to be a veterinarian?: The University of Edinburgh
  • Animal Welfare in the Clinic: The University of Edinburgh
  • Dog Emotion and Cognition: Duke University
  • Animals and Society: University of Colorado Boulder
  • The Truth About Cats and Dogs: The University of Edinburgh
  • The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management: University of Florida
  • Animals, Self, and Society: University of Colorado Boulder
  • Marine Biology: American Museum of Natural History
  • Chicken Behaviour and Welfare: The University of Edinburgh

Frequently Asked Questions about Animal

In biology, animals are defined as multicellular, eukaryotic organisms, the vast majority of which consume organic material, breathe oxygen, can move, and reproduce sexually. This definition encompasses an incredibly wide range of animals both familiar and unfamiliar, from dogs, cats, horses, and cows to the world of insects and alien-seeming undersea creatures. Whether they are offering companionship, inspiring wonder, providing food, or playing an essential role in the ecological systems we depend on, animals are more than important - it’s impossible to imagine human society without them.

Taking care of our animal partners in society requires a keen understanding of their biology and behavior as well as attention to animal welfare. Animal welfare is typically defined according to “The Five Freedoms”: freedom from hunger and thirst through proper nutrition, freedom from discomfort through the provision of adequate shelter, freedom from pain, injury, and disease, freedom to express normal behavior (e.g. chickens roosting), and freedom from fear and distress.‎

Everyone loves animals, but if you are especially fascinated by animal behavior and passionate about animal welfare, you can pursue a veterinary career. Veterinarians are responsible for ensuring animals under their care receive adequate nutrition as well as treatment of injuries and disease control, and they must receive a doctorate in veterinary medicine as well as a state license to practice.

These highly educated experts in animal care typically work in private clinics, zoos, or farms, and demand for their services is expected to grow rapidly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinarians earned a median annual salary of $95,460 in 2019.‎

Yes! Whether you’re interested in learning about dogs and cats, cows, horses, insects, or other animals, Coursera has engaging courses and Specializations spanning multiple courses to fit your needs. You can learn from top-ranked schools like the University of Edinburgh, Duke University, University of Colorado Boulder, and Pennsylvania State University. And since you can learn remotely on a flexible schedule, Coursera makes it easy to deepen your education about these fascinating creatures as part of your existing work or family life.‎

The skills or experience you may already need to have before studying about animals include an understanding of basic animal care. If you have any experience with an animal caretaking role in a veterinary facility, shelter, sanctuary, farm, or pet retail environment, you may have the skills necessary for more advanced studies about animals. If you have soft skills of having compassion and empathy for animals, you may already be ready to study the subject.‎

Learning about animals may be right for you if you’re comfortable learning about the many evolving aspects of animals in society. Studying animals may be right for you if you are eager to learn about animal psychology, behavior, and behavioral problems, diagnosis, and treatment. It may benefit you to learn about animals if you have an interest in livestock production and management, livestock disease control, rampant animal abuse, the human-animal relationship, human-wildlife conflicts, or animal welfare of domesticated, farmed, and captive animals.‎

Types of places that may hire people with a background in animals include health care facilities such as veterinary offices, equestrian facilities, aquariums, and zoos that care for, rehabilitate, or train all types of animals. Also, the types of places that hire people who have studied animals include government or private research institutions that hire people for positions in wildlife management, conservation, and the support of endangered species. Another type of place that may hire people who work on behalf of animal welfare can range from farms and pet food manufacturers to local animal control departments and other public health agencies.‎

There are many topics to study that are related to animals, such as ecology, which impacts animals living in the wilderness and other ecosystems. Another topic related to animals you can study is farming for a sustainable future which includes the management of livestock and dairy production, and pasture management.‎

Online Animal courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Animal skills. With a wide range of Animal classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Animal career.‎

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

Other topics to explore

Arts and Humanities
338 courses
Business
1095 courses
Computer Science
668 courses
Data Science
425 courses
Information Technology
145 courses
Health
471 courses
Math and Logic
70 courses
Personal Development
137 courses
Physical Science and Engineering
413 courses
Social Sciences
401 courses
Language Learning
150 courses

Coursera Footer

Skills

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital Marketing
  • English Speaking
  • Generative AI (GenAI)
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Power BI
  • Project Management
  • Python

Certificates & Programs

  • Google Cybersecurity Certificate
  • Google Data Analytics Certificate
  • Google IT Support Certificate
  • Google Project Management Certificate
  • Google UX Design Certificate
  • IBM Data Analyst Certificate
  • IBM Data Science Certificate
  • Machine Learning Certificate
  • Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Certificate
  • UI / UX Design Certificate

Industries & Careers

  • Business
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Education & Teaching
  • Engineering
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Human Resources (HR)
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Marketing

Career Resources

  • Career Aptitude Test
  • Examples of Strengths and Weaknesses for Job Interviews
  • High-Income Skills to Learn
  • How Does Cryptocurrency Work?
  • How to Highlight Duplicates in Google Sheets
  • How to Learn Artificial Intelligence
  • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
  • Preparing for the PMP Certification
  • Signs You Will Get the Job After an Interview
  • What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Coursera

  • About
  • What We Offer
  • Leadership
  • Careers
  • Catalog
  • Coursera Plus
  • Professional Certificates
  • MasterTrack® Certificates
  • Degrees
  • For Enterprise
  • For Government
  • For Campus
  • Become a Partner
  • Social Impact
  • Free Courses
  • Share your Coursera learning story

Community

  • Learners
  • Partners
  • Beta Testers
  • Blog
  • The Coursera Podcast
  • Tech Blog

More

  • Press
  • Investors
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Accessibility
  • Contact
  • Articles
  • Directory
  • Affiliates
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Manage Cookie Preferences
Learn Anywhere
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Logo of Certified B Corporation
© 2025 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Coursera Facebook
  • Coursera Linkedin
  • Coursera Twitter
  • Coursera YouTube
  • Coursera Instagram
  • Coursera TikTok