MITxBio open online courses and

teaching resources

Check out our free-to-audit open online courses (MOOCs) and teaching resources that we offer with direct links to about pages and registration.


7.00x course image

7.00x Introduction to Biology – the Secret of Life

Professor Eric Lander

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We offer a thorough and robust means of certifying learners in their mastery of the MITx introductory biology content in 7.00x, through the MITx 7.00x Introduction to Biology Competency Exam. The next Competency Exam runs the last full week of October 2024.

Explore the secret of life through the basics of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, recombinant DNA, genomics and rational medicine.


7.03x course image including a pedigree and mouse

7.03.1x Genetics: The Fundamentals

Professors Michael Hemann and Peter Reddien

Recommended prerequisites: 7.00x Introduction to Biology

Open for self-paced learning

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How do we study heredity?


7.03x course image including a pedigree and mouse

7.03.2x Genetics: Analysis and Application

Professors Peter Reddien and Mary Gehring

Recommended prerequisites: 7.00x Introduction to Biology and 7.03.1x Genetics

Open for self-paced learning

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How do we apply genetics?


7.03x course image including a mouse

7.03.3x Genetics: Population Genetics and Human Traits

Professors Mary Gehring and Olivia Corradin

Recommended prerequisites: 7.00x Introduction to Biology and 7.03.1x, 7.03.2x Genetics

Open for self-paced learning

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Class Central reviews »


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7.05x Biochemistry: Biomolecules, Methods, and Mechanisms

Professor Michael Yaffe

Recommended prerequisites: 7.00x Introductory Biology

The next run starts September 2024.

Registration open soon!»

You can check out the second half of 7.05 Bioochemistry, Pathways and Metabolism, on MIT OpenCourseWare.

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Enhance your scientific thinking and data analysis skills with this in-depth adventure through biochemistry.


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7.06.1x Cell Biology: Transport and Signaling

Professors Rebecca Lamason and Iain Cheeseman

Recommended prerequisites: 7.00x, 7.03x, and 7.05x

Open for self-paced learning

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How do we know what we know about cells? Enhance your scientific thinking and data analysis skills with this in-depth adventure through cell biology.


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7.06.2x Cell Biology: The Cytoskeleton and Cell Cycle

Professor Iain Cheeseman

Recommended prerequisites: 7.00x, 7.03x, 7.05x, and 7.06.1x

Open for self-paced learning

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How do we know what we know about cells? Enhance your scientific thinking and data analysis skills with this in-depth adventure through cell biology.


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7.06.3x Cell Biology: Cell-Cell Interactions

Professors Rebecca Lamason and Sebastian Lourido

Recommended prerequisites: 7.00x, 7.03x, 7.05x, 7.06.1x, and 7.06.2x

Open for self-paced learning

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How do we know what we know about cells? Enhance your scientific thinking and data analysis skills with this in-depth adventure through cell biology.


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7.28.1x Molecular Biology: DNA Replication & Repair

Professors Stephen Bell and Tania Baker

Recommended prerequisites: 7.00x, 7.03x, and 7.05x

The current run started on July 16, 2024 as instructor-paced (assignment due dates).

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An in-depth adventure through DNA replication and repair to strengthen your scientific thinking and experimental design skills.

The 7.28x series made Class Central's list of the Best Online Courses of All Time.ClassCentral reviews »


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7.28.2x Molecular Biology: Transcription & Transposition

Professors Stephen Bell and Tania Baker

Recommended prerequisites: 7.00x, 7.03x, 7.05x, and 7.28.1x

Open for self-paced learning

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Strengthen your scientific thinking and experimental design skills in this adventure through transcription and transposition.


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7.28.3x Molecular Biology: RNA Processing & Translation

Professors Stephen Bell and Tania Baker

Recommended prerequisites: 7.00x, 7.03x, 7.05x, 7.28.1x, and 7.28.2x

Open for self-paced learning

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Strengthen your scientific thinking and experimental design skills in this adventure through RNA processing and translation.


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7.QBWx Quantitative Biology Workshop

MIT Department of Biology

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This course is open for self-paced learning! The course uses MATLAB, R, and Python 3.7 and has a verified track single-cell gene expression learning sequence.

A workshop-style introduction to tools used in biological research. Discover how to analyze data using computational methods.


Inclusive teaching image of an open book with a colored wheel above

7.InT: Inclusive Teaching Module

Dr. Darcy Gordon and Professor Catherine Drennan

Open for self-paced learning

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How do you adopt teaching practices that support inclusive and equitable education?


TA training image of four squares labeled learning goals, feedback, teamwork, training and support

Biology Teaching Assistant (TA) Training

Dr. Summer Morrill

Open for self-paced learning

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How do we prepare teaching assistants in a displine-specific pedagogy program?