Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with living systems. This hub lists two online courses that cover the basics of drug action, dosage and safety. One course is free on edX with a certificate; the other is a self-paced Coursera option that also awards a certificate. The shortlist below lets you compare what each course costs, how long it takes and what credential you earn.
Which course fits you
| Situation |
Course to pick |
Why it fits |
| You want a free course with a certificate and can study over 8 weeks |
DoaneX: Introduction to Pharmacology |
Free on edX; includes a certificate; self-paced over 8 weeks |
| You prefer a short, self-paced course with no fixed start date |
Introduction to Forensic Science |
Self-paced on Coursera; 21 hours total; certificate included; price not published |
| You are looking for a beginner-friendly course on drug action with a university-backed credential |
DoaneX: Introduction to Pharmacology |
Beginner level on edX; university from Doane; certificate available |
Free vs paid here
| Attribute | Free option | Paid option |
| Price | Free | Not published by the provider |
| Certificate | Yes, available on DoaneX | Yes, available on Coursera (price not published) |
| Placement support | No | No |
| Duration | 8 weeks | 21 hours (self-paced) |
Learning path
| Stage |
What you learn |
Course from the list |
| Beginner |
Drug mechanisms, dosage, safety and basic pharmacology concepts |
DoaneX: Introduction to Pharmacology |
| Intermediate |
Not enough data for a separate intermediate course |
|
| Advanced |
Not enough data for a separate advanced course |
|
Providers for this topic
| Provider |
Courses offered |
Price range |
Certificate |
| Coursera |
1 |
Not published by the provider |
Yes |
| edX |
1 |
Free |
Yes |
Careers this feeds
Pharmacist roles lean on drug knowledge; Doctor roles also require pharmacology basics. Both careers build on the concepts covered in the listed courses.
FAQ
- Do I get a certificate with the free course? Yes, DoaneX provides a certificate.
- How long does the Coursera course take? 21 hours, self-paced.
- Are these courses beginner-friendly? Yes, both are rated for beginners.
- Can I study at my own pace? Both courses are self-paced.
- Do these courses help with job placement? No, neither lists placement support.
- Which course is completely free? DoaneX on edX.
Coursera