What are the best microbiology courses online?

Browse the microbiology courses below—popular starting points on Coursera. Antimicrobial resistance - theory and methods: Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Bacteria and Chronic Infections: University of Copenhagen Respiratory Disease Control and Sustainable Livestock Production: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Industrial Biotechnology: University of Manchester Gut Check: Exploring Your Microbiome: University of Colorado Boulder Algae Biotechnology: University of California San Diego Whole genome sequencing of bacterial genomes - tools and applications:Technical University of Denmark (DTU) Bacterial Bioinformatics: University of Virginia Transmitting and Fighting Infectious Diseases: University of Leeds

What is microbiology, and why is it important to learn?

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms and their structures, functions, uses, and modes of existence. One common example of Microbiology is bacteria and their effects on biological systems, such as the resistance they develop to antibiotics and other clinical interventions. Microbiology is critical to understanding the role microorganisms play in our everyday lives. Knowing how they cause disease affecting humans, plants, and animals enables Microbiologists to explore solutions for the maintenance and modification of agriculture, healthcare, and medicine.

What jobs can you get in microbiology?

According to collegegrad.com, more Microbiologists will be needed over the next 10 years to contribute to basic research, solve problems in industrial production processes, and monitor environmental conditions to ensure public health and safety. But jobs in Microbiology don’t end with Microbiologists—learners can find opportunities as Lab Supervisors, Bacteriologists, Mycologists, Parasitologists, Public Health Specialists, Virologists, Teachers and Professors, and other related roles.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before learning microbiology?

Any type of scientific background can be helpful before learning microbiology. You may have worked in a lab, at a research institution, or at a university. High school or college coursework in closely related subjects can be helpful too. This might include biology, biochemistry, cell biology, or any other type of biological science. This could also include physiology, virology, microbial physiology, chemistry, and physics. Coursework in math and statistics can be beneficial as well. Even a background in computer science can help prepare you to study microbiology. Depending on the context in which you want to learn microbiology, a background in fields like public health, agriculture, environmental studies, veterinary science, biosafety, and quality control may all help prepare you to learn about microbiology.

Best Microbiology Courses & Certificates [2025]

Find the best Microbiology course for your goals

Status: Preview
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Antimicrobial resistance - theory and methods
Skills you'll gain: Laboratory Testing, Quality Assurance, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Bioinformatics, Medical Laboratory, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Epidemiology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Data Quality, Medical Science and Research, Biology, Public Health
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
2.5K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
University of Copenhagen
Bacteria and Chronic Infections
Skills you'll gain: Microbiology, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Biology, Infection Control, Chronic Diseases, Diagnostic Tests, Pharmacology
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Lecturio
Microbiology Foundations
Skills you'll gain: Microbiology, Infection Control, Infectious Diseases, Hand Hygiene, Bloodborne Pathogens, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Immunology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Taxonomy
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
University of Colorado Boulder
Gut Check: Exploring Your Microbiome
Skills you'll gain: Microbiology, Health Informatics, Big Data, Biostatistics, Data Analysis, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Diet, Biology, Specimen Collection
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
University of Manchester
Industrial Biotechnology
Skills you'll gain: Biotechnology, Sustainable Technologies, Process Engineering, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Sustainable Engineering, Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Pharmaceuticals, Biomedical Engineering, Materials science, Scalability
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California San Diego
Algae Biotechnology
Skills you'll gain: Biotechnology, Biological Engineering, Sustainable Technologies, Life Sciences, Environmental Issue, Regulatory Requirements, Sustainability Standards, Chemical Engineering, Production Process, New Product Development, Product Development, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Biology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
604 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

Start my career

Change my career

Grow in my current role

Explore topics outside of work

Status: Preview
University of Leeds
Transmitting and Fighting Infectious Diseases
Skills you'll gain: Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, Immunology, Pathology, Infection Control, Pharmacology, Epidemiology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Cell Biology
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
51 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Whole genome sequencing of bacterial genomes - tools and applications
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Medical Science and Research, Data Analysis Software, Database Development, Data Pipelines, Data Processing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
University of Virginia
Bacterial Bioinformatics
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Data Analysis Software, Scientific Visualization, Taxonomy, Data Integration, Data Import/Export
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
281 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Cancer Biology
Skills you'll gain: Oncology, Medical Imaging, Patient Education And Counseling, Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Therapy, Molecular Biology, Diagnostic Tests, Clinical Trials, Pain Management, Preventative Care, Treatment Planning, Urology, Patient Treatment, Immunology, Epidemiology, Surgery, Cell Biology, Care Management, Biology, Pathology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
9.8K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
Stanford University
Stories of Infection
Skills you'll gain: Infectious Diseases, Social Determinants Of Health, Public Health, Epidemiology, Patient-centered Care, Microbiology, Pathology, Infection Control, Immunology, Preventative Care, Clinical Assessment
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Imperial College London
Foundations in Virology and Vaccinology
Skills you'll gain: Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Molecular Biology, Epidemiology, Microbiology, Public Health, Drug Development, Biotechnology, Medical Science and Research, Climate Change Programs, Cell Biology, Health Disparities, Biology, Clinical Trials, Laboratory Research, Pharmacology, Public Health and Disease Prevention, New Product Development, Emerging Technologies, Manufacturing Processes
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
71 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months