Understanding physiology is significantly enhanced when paired with a background in anatomy. A foundational grasp of chemistry, biochemistry, and biology also simplifies the learning curve in physiology. To delve deeper into the subject, consider joining the vibrant community over at the Anatomy and Physiology subreddit.
Embark on a learning journey with top-rated physiology courses from esteemed institutions like Duke and Penn. This Best Courses Guide (BCG) curates a list of over 480 courses based on Class Central’s ratings and reviews.
Explore further by using the shortcuts provided below:
Our Recommended Picks
BCG Statistics
- All courses are either free or offer a free audit option.
- Two courses provide a verified certificate upon successful completion of graded assessments.
- Collectively, the Coursera courses have engaged over 900,000 learners.
- YouTube courses together boast over 30 million views.
Duke University offers a robust course on Introductory Human Physiology, which is hailed as one of Class Central’s Best Online Courses of All Time. The course embarks on a detailed study of homeostasis, and from there, it delves into the workings of the nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems. This course serves not just students, but also acts as a preparatory tool for the MCAT and a refresher for professionals in the medical field, while also proving beneficial to interested learners from non-medical backgrounds. Additionally, it is available in Chinese.
“The course is incredibly informative! The two professors effectively break down complex topics for beginners.” – Anonymous
| Provider | Coursera |
| University | Duke University |
| Instructors | Emma Jakoi and Jennifer Carbrey |
| Time Commitment | 34 hours |
| Enrollment | 535K |
| Rating | 4.8 (4.9K reviews) |
| Cost | Free audit |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | Free |
| Certificate | Paid |
With remarkable drawing skills, Armando Hasudungan narrates the intricate world of physiology through insightful videos. His Physiology playlist, which has amassed over a million views, illustrates physiology concepts vividly, starting from gastric acid secretion to the functions and disorders of various organs. Even the mechanism of coughs and vomiting is demystified.
“This video is an absolute gem! So much easier to understand than my textbook, essential for my essay!” – @afhskwifbwkl5900
| Provider | YouTube |
| Instructor | Armando Hasudungan |
| Time Commitment | 12 hours |
| Views | 1.1M |
| Cost | Free |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | No |
| Certificate | No |
Hank Green’s CrashCourse on Anatomy & Physiology captivates with over 28 million views. It dives into human body chemistry and cell biology, explaining how tissue types determine organ system functions. You’ll learn about organ failures that lead to diseases, energy transformations in the body, and how to understand anatomical terminology using Greek and Latin roots.
“The videos were incredibly educational, enhancing my grasp of human anatomy and physiology.” – Myrielle Anne Francisco
| Provider | YouTube |
| Instructor | Hank Green |
| Time Commitment | 8 hours |
| Rating | 4.9 (11 reviews) |
| Views | 28M |
| Cost | Free |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | No |
| Certificate | No |
Professor Dave Explains offers a fascinating course on Anatomy & Physiology. The course begins with tissues and progresses through various systems, including endocrine, nervous, and circulatory systems, covering essential topics like reproduction, heart functions, and brain physiology.
“This course was enlightening, with each session building on my knowledge due to the great teaching style.” – Folorunso Olamilekan Mathew
| Provider | YouTube |
| Instructor | Dave Farina |
| Time Commitment | 4-5 hours |
| Rating | 4.8 (12 reviews) |
| Views | 3.2M subscribers |
| Cost | Free |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | No |
| Certificate | No |
Discover the inner mechanics of the body with “Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us” from the University of Pennsylvania. Perfect for both novices eager to comprehend their body’s workings and medical professionals seeking practical insights, this course brings clarity to vital signs using engaging models and diagrams. Presented by a Nursing Professor, you’ll explore six vital modules including pulse, heart rate, and respiration, reinforced by normal and abnormal scenarios. It’s a part of Class Central’s Best Online Courses of All Time for a reason!
“This course could have been a pre-requisite for medical school with its comprehensive content.” – Aedrian Abrilla
| Provider | Coursera |
| University | University of Pennsylvania |
| Instructor | Connie Scanga |
| Time Commitment | 13 hours |
| Enrollment | 390K |
| Rating | 4.8 (6.3K reviews) |
| Cost | Free audit |
| Quizzes/Assessment Items | Free |
| Certificate | Paid |
Why Trust Our Judgement?
Class Central acts as a dedicated guide for online education, assisting over 80 million learners in finding their next course. With over a decade in the online education sector, we have curated a vast database of 250,000 online courses and 250,000 reviews. Our team, comprising avid online learners, has completed over 400 online courses, including various online degrees. Personally, I’ve successfully completed more than 200 online courses, spanning a range of topics including physiology.
Our Selection and Evaluation Process
Navigating “best of” lists can be overwhelming, even for online course enthusiasts. Here’s our approach:
We scoured Class Central’s extensive catalog, pinpointing diverse courses, some offering certificates. Our goal is broad access—the joy of learning physiology shouldn’t be confined to university enrollment.
We meticulously analyzed course syllabi and reviews to evaluate their quality, utilizing Class Central’s extensive database for ratings and insights. Hands-on video reviews were conducted to broaden our firsthand experience. This way, we selected a wide array of top-notch courses across different physiological subcategories.
Our final picks are a blend of data-driven insight and personal discernment, ensuring these recommendations effectively guide you in your physiological learning journey.
