Chevron Left
Back to Finding Hidden Messages in DNA (Bioinformatics I)

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Finding Hidden Messages in DNA (Bioinformatics I) by University of California San Diego

4.3
stars
1,057 ratings

About the Course

Named a top 50 MOOC of all time by Class Central! This course begins a series of classes illustrating the power of computing in modern biology. Please join us on the frontier of bioinformatics to look for hidden messages in DNA without ever needing to put on a lab coat. In the first half of the course, we investigate DNA replication, and ask the question, where in the genome does DNA replication begin? We will see that we can answer this question for many bacteria using only some straightforward algorithms to look for hidden messages in the genome. In the second half of the course, we examine a different biological question, when we ask which DNA patterns play the role of molecular clocks. The cells in your body manage to maintain a circadian rhythm, but how is this achieved on the level of DNA? Once again, we will see that by knowing which hidden messages to look for, we can start to understand the amazingly complex language of DNA. Perhaps surprisingly, we will apply randomized algorithms, which roll dice and flip coins in order to solve problems. Finally, you will get your hands dirty and apply existing software tools to find recurring biological motifs within genes that are responsible for helping Mycobacterium tuberculosis go "dormant" within a host for many years before causing an active infection....

Top reviews

VV

Jul 4, 2024

Amazing course. Definitely a steep uphill climb, but designed to make one think deep and understand complex concepts. Worth the effort !

JN

Sep 22, 2020

Please be clear while explaining the course. it not clear what are they trying to explain and it takes a lot time for us to figure it out.

Filter by:

76 - 100 of 268 Reviews for Finding Hidden Messages in DNA (Bioinformatics I)

By Hao-Wen S

•

Feb 11, 2018

The course was challenging and the workload was heavy (for the honors track). Yet very rewarding in the end - thank you!

By Borislav M

•

Jun 9, 2016

This course offers in terms of knowledge and programming far more than I had expected. Very satisfied with it.

By Nadav P

•

Jan 19, 2022

Very well deversed, interesting and relevant learning materials for both biologists and computer scientists.

By Amila S

•

Dec 30, 2019

This is an awesome approach to learn bioinformatics things. Very concise and detailed (not boring) teaching!!

By Patricio C G A

•

Mar 21, 2018

Excellent! Recommended for any professional in the field that needs a truly understanding of Bioinformatics.

By Vibha H

•

Apr 11, 2017

Wonderful course for anyone who wants to explore bioinformatics. I really liked the programming assignments.

By Naveen P

•

Jun 18, 2016

Very well structured and informative. Got a good understanding of motifs finding and its related algorithms

By Michał G

•

Dec 29, 2021

Great course, but make sure you have some basic programing skills. They aren't obligatory, but very useful

By Samuel C

•

Jun 29, 2018

A great introduction to this topic. I really felt I came away from this course with some useful skills.

By Victor G

•

Jun 15, 2017

I've had lots of fun and I've learnt some of the foundations of Bioinformatics. I couldn't expect more.

By Alex M

•

Jun 13, 2016

The interactive lessons are excellent! Especially with the optional break-out lessons to dive deeper.

By Olaf W

•

Oct 2, 2018

Great content, very well structured. Loved the interactive text with the graded coding exercises.

By Brian A

•

Feb 18, 2017

Doing the Honors track. It's hard, but extremely rewarding! Thanks for making an awesome course.

By Julian A S

•

Oct 15, 2018

Clear and well-formatted. No instructional support in the forums was disappointing, though.

By Jacobson O

•

May 28, 2020

I wish I could give it a 6-star. Awesome content; generous problem sets; worth the money.

By Mohamed E

•

Jul 8, 2017

An excellent Course, The course left me more enthusiastic about Bio-informatics , Thanks

By Yichi S

•

Mar 5, 2018

Very nice introductory course. Well designed and very interactive. I really love it.

By Hugo E C A

•

Sep 12, 2019

One great course, however there is not a lot of people to qualify your assignments

By John K F E

•

Jul 19, 2019

Great introduction to Python and Algorithms and its application to Bioinformatics

By Ashwin S S

•

Apr 26, 2023

Pretty solid course to understand the bioinformatics basics at an advanced level

By Alina F

•

Jun 6, 2016

After completing only one Week I am absolutely sure that this course is amazing!

By jeff l

•

Oct 10, 2020

great course. particularly the coding part is challenging, but i learned a lot.

By Swaprakash Y

•

Jun 6, 2020

An amazing course to apply computer skills to a biomedical engineering stream!

By Mars F

•

May 13, 2019

I can learn a lot from the simple samples but I think I still have a long way.

By Jussi R

•

Sep 18, 2017

Cool stuff, I didn't even realize how close we are computational linguistics.