We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Biology

Save

Biology is the scientific study of living organisms, their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution. It is a vast and complex field that encompasses a wide range of topics, from the smallest microorganisms to the largest mammals, and from the simplest biological processes to the most complex ecosystems.

Why Study Biology?

There are many reasons why one might want to study biology. Some people are simply curious about the natural world and want to learn more about how living organisms work. Others may want to use their knowledge of biology to pursue careers in healthcare, research, or education. Still others may simply enjoy learning about the world around them and find biology to be a fascinating and rewarding subject.

How Online Courses Can Help You Learn Biology

There are many ways to learn about biology, and online courses can be a great option for those who want to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. Online courses can provide you with access to high-quality lectures, readings, and other materials from top universities and institutions around the world. You can also interact with other students and instructors through online discussion forums and chat rooms.

Here are some of the skills and knowledge you can gain from online biology courses:

Read more

Biology is the scientific study of living organisms, their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution. It is a vast and complex field that encompasses a wide range of topics, from the smallest microorganisms to the largest mammals, and from the simplest biological processes to the most complex ecosystems.

Why Study Biology?

There are many reasons why one might want to study biology. Some people are simply curious about the natural world and want to learn more about how living organisms work. Others may want to use their knowledge of biology to pursue careers in healthcare, research, or education. Still others may simply enjoy learning about the world around them and find biology to be a fascinating and rewarding subject.

How Online Courses Can Help You Learn Biology

There are many ways to learn about biology, and online courses can be a great option for those who want to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. Online courses can provide you with access to high-quality lectures, readings, and other materials from top universities and institutions around the world. You can also interact with other students and instructors through online discussion forums and chat rooms.

Here are some of the skills and knowledge you can gain from online biology courses:

  • An understanding of the basic principles of biology
  • The ability to identify and classify different types of living organisms
  • Knowledge of the structure and function of cells and tissues
  • An understanding of the principles of genetics and evolution
  • The ability to design and conduct scientific experiments
  • The ability to communicate scientific findings

Is an Online Course Enough to Fully Understand Biology?

Online courses can be a great way to learn about biology, but they are not a substitute for traditional classroom instruction. In a traditional classroom setting, you have the opportunity to interact with your instructor and classmates in person, and you can ask questions and get feedback in real time. You also have access to a variety of resources, such as a library and laboratory, that may not be available to you if you are taking an online course.

If you are serious about learning biology, it is best to take a combination of online and traditional courses. This will give you the best of both worlds, and you will be able to learn about biology in a way that is both convenient and effective.

Careers in Biology

There are many different careers that you can pursue with a degree in biology. Some of the most common careers include:

  • Biologist: Biologists study living organisms and their interactions with each other and their environment.
  • Biochemist: Biochemists study the chemical processes that occur in living organisms.
  • Geneticist: Geneticists study the genes and chromosomes of living organisms.
  • Microbiologist: Microbiologists study microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
  • Zoologist: Zoologists study animals.

Biologists can work in a variety of settings, including universities, hospitals, research laboratories, and government agencies. They can also work in the private sector, for companies that develop and market products and services related to biology.

Personality Traits and Personal Interests That Fit Well with Studying Biology

If you are interested in studying biology, you should have a strong interest in the natural world and a desire to learn about how living organisms work. You should also be comfortable with math and science, and you should be able to think critically and solve problems.

Benefits of Studying Biology

There are many benefits to studying biology. Here are a few:

  • You will gain a better understanding of the world around you.
  • You will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • You will learn about the latest advances in biology.
  • You will be prepared for a variety of careers in the biological sciences.

Projects for Studying Biology

There are many different projects that you can do to further your study of biology. Here are a few ideas:

  • Design and conduct a scientific experiment.
  • Create a model of a biological system.
  • Write a research paper on a biological topic.
  • Volunteer at a local zoo, aquarium, or nature center.
  • Shadow a biologist.

How Employers View Biology

Employers value biology graduates for their knowledge of the natural world, their critical thinking skills, and their problem-solving abilities. Biology graduates are also well-prepared for a variety of careers in the biological sciences, including research, healthcare, and education.

Path to Biology

Take the first step.
We've curated 24 courses to help you on your path to Biology. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Share

Help others find this page about Biology: by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Biology.
This is the book used for the general education Biology sequence (BIO 1110 and BIO 1111) in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech. The book provides a broad overview of the field of biology and is appropriate for students with little to no background in the topic.
This shorter, less expensive version of Campbell Biology, designed for one-semester courses. It provides a broad overview of the field of biology and is appropriate for students with little to no background in the topic.
This textbook provides a detailed overview of cell biology, covering topics from the molecular level to the level of tissues and organs. It is appropriate for students with a basic understanding of biology.
This Chinese-language textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of biology, covering topics from the molecular level to the level of ecosystems and evolution. It is appropriate for students with a basic understanding of biology.
This French-language textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of biology, covering topics from the molecular level to the level of ecosystems and evolution. It is appropriate for students with a basic understanding of biology.
This Spanish-language textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of biology, covering topics from the molecular level to the level of ecosystems and evolution. It is appropriate for students with a basic understanding of biology.
This German-language textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of biology, covering topics from the molecular level to the level of ecosystems and evolution. It is appropriate for students with a basic understanding of biology.
This is an Indonesian-language textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of biology, covering topics from the molecular level to the level of ecosystems and evolution. It is appropriate for students with a basic understanding of biology.
This Japanese-language textbook that provides a comprehensive overview of biology, covering topics from the molecular level to the level of ecosystems and evolution. It is appropriate for students with a basic understanding of biology.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser