In our increasingly high-tech and computer-mediated daily routines, it can sometimes be easy to forget that we are ultimately biological creatures inhabiting a world teeming with plant, animal, and microbial life. However, this reality is never far from our day-to-day experiences, especially if we get sick. Basic science is the study of the fundamental processes that are essential to life on our planet, including biology, biochemistry, genetics, anatomy, neurobiology, immunology, and more.

Sometimes used interchangeably with the term “life science,” basic science isn’t just an abstract, theoretical field. Practical applications of this knowledge are responsible for many breakthroughs that we take for granted in our daily lives, from modern medicine to foods and other common household products. This research is also essential for new advances that researchers are working towards today, such as improved treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, genetically modified crops, and even potential cures for cancer.

This body of basic science knowledge represents the cumulative work of countless scientists over hundreds of years. Referring to this tradition of accumulated scientific knowledge, Sir Isaac Newton famously said that “If I have seen further than others it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Studying basic science is foundational to contributing to the work of these “giants” or to standing on their shoulders.

Because basic science is fundamental to so many fields, an education in this area can open the door to a wide variety of jobs. For starters, basic science courses are essential to understanding how the human body works, and thus are prerequisites for attending medical school. Becoming a doctor is one of the most well-known (and highest-paying) career paths that requires a background in basic science, but it’s hardly the only one.

If you prefer doing research in the laboratory to working with patients in the hospital or doctor’s office, you can become a biomedical scientist, microbiologist, biochemist, or industrial pharmacist. With some exceptions, these jobs do not require doctorates, and offer good pay, regular hours, and the ability to make a difference through impactful research. For example, microbiologists play a major role in developing treatments for epidemics through their study of bacteria and viruses.

More technically-oriented learners can use basic science education to help launch careers as biological technicians, computational biologists, or bioinformaticians. Working at the intersection of medicine and technology, these professionals play a vital role in leveraging computers, specialized medical equipment, and data to improve our understanding of biological systems. These emerging fields are increasingly important to creating new tools for public health professionals as well as improving the basic life science knowledge on which they depend.

Absolutely. Today’s online learning platforms allow you to access a high-quality education from top universities in a wider variety of disciplines than ever, including basic science. And, just like online learning options in other fields, online courses in basic science are providing the opportunity to gain this valuable education at a significantly lower cost and with greater flexibility than on-campus alternatives.

As the leading online education platform in the world, Coursera offers a myriad of courses in basic science from schools like the University of Michigan, University of Chicago, Duke University, and Johns Hopkins. Popular courses include human physiology, immunology, anatomy, cancer biology, brain, and genetics.