Marine biology courses can help you learn about marine ecosystems, species identification, oceanography, and conservation strategies. You can build skills in field research techniques, data collection, and species monitoring. Many courses introduce tools like GIS software for mapping habitats, underwater drones for exploration, and laboratory equipment for analyzing water quality, all essential for conducting research and contributing to marine conservation efforts.
American Museum of Natural History
Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Biology, Environmental Science, Environment, Biochemistry, Physiology, Hydrology, Environmental Issue, Anatomy, Water Quality, Behavioral Health, Research
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Universitat de Barcelona
Skills you'll gain: Hydrology, Global Positioning Systems, Physical Science, Water Resources, Water Quality, Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Information and Technology, Chemistry, Environment, Environmental Science, Mechanics, Systems Of Measurement, Climate Change Mitigation, Remote Access Systems
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California San Diego
Skills you'll gain: Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Manufacturing and Production, Food and Beverage, Sustainable Design, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceuticals, Environment and Resource Management, Biology, Taxonomy, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Process Engineering, Laboratory Testing
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Alberta
Skills you'll gain: Biology, Life Sciences, Taxonomy
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Rice University
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, Experimentation
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

American Museum of Natural History
Skills you'll gain: Environment, Systems Thinking, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Resource Management, Biology, Sustainable Development, Environmental Engineering and Restoration, Case Studies, Mathematical Modeling
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Colorado Boulder
Skills you'll gain: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, General Science and Research, Molecular Biology, Scientific Methods, Water Quality, Nutrition and Diet
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of California San Diego
Skills you'll gain: Biotechnology, Biological Engineering, Sustainable Technologies, Life Sciences, Environmental Issue, Regulatory Requirements, Sustainability Standards, Chemical Engineering, Production Process, Product Development, Molecular, Cellular, and Microbiology, Biology
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Cape Town
Skills you'll gain: Sustainable Development, Environment and Resource Management, Natural Resource Management, Water Resource Management, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Environmental Policy, Governance, Environmental Monitoring, Case Studies, Socioeconomics, International Relations
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
Skills you'll gain: Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Data Management, Biostatistics, Data Mining, Applied Machine Learning, Unsupervised Learning, Scientific Visualization, Data Preprocessing, Correlation Analysis, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Dimensionality Reduction, Computational Thinking, Markov Model, Algorithms
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of North Texas
Skills you'll gain: Life Sciences, Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Environment, Environmental Science, General Science and Research, Chemistry, Experimentation
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of California San Diego
Skills you'll gain: Environmental Science, Biology, Environment and Resource Management, Biotechnology, Product Development, Food and Beverage, Water Resource Management, Biochemistry, Taxonomy, Anatomy
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Marine biology is the study of ocean ecosystems, marine organisms, and their interactions with the environment. This field is crucial for understanding biodiversity, the health of marine habitats, and the impact of human activities on the oceans. As our planet faces challenges like climate change and pollution, marine biology plays a vital role in conservation efforts and sustainable resource management.‎
A variety of career paths are available in marine biology, including roles such as marine biologist, oceanographer, environmental consultant, and research scientist. Positions can be found in academia, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private industry. These roles often involve fieldwork, laboratory research, and policy advocacy, contributing to the protection and understanding of marine environments.‎
To pursue a career in marine biology, essential skills include scientific research methods, data analysis, and proficiency in statistics. Familiarity with marine ecosystems, species identification, and environmental regulations is also important. Additionally, skills in communication and teamwork are valuable, as marine biologists often collaborate with other scientists and stakeholders.‎
Some of the best online marine biology courses include the Marine Biology course, which provides foundational knowledge about marine ecosystems and organisms. Other relevant options are the Biology Everywhere Specialization, which covers broader biological concepts, and the Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity Specialization that includes marine topics.‎
Yes. You can start learning marine biology on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in marine biology, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎
To learn marine biology, start by enrolling in introductory courses that cover the basics of marine ecosystems and organisms. Engage with online resources, participate in discussions, and consider hands-on experiences like internships or volunteer opportunities. Building a network with professionals in the field can also enhance your learning journey.‎
Typical topics covered in marine biology courses include marine ecology, oceanography, marine organism physiology, and conservation strategies. Courses may also explore the impact of climate change on marine life, biodiversity, and the role of marine environments in global ecosystems.‎
For training and upskilling employees in marine biology, courses like the Marine Biology course are beneficial. Additionally, the Biology Everywhere Specialization provides a comprehensive understanding of biological principles that can be applied in various marine contexts.‎