50 Open Courses to Become a Real Life CSI

You’ve seen the TV shows, and now you’re interested in fighting crime as a crime scene investigator. You’ll need a solid education with a background in crime, DNA, science, and more to make this dream a reality. Take a look at these open courses to get started in your CSI education.

Crime

You’ll study the nature of crime in these courses.

The Meaning of Crime: Find out exactly what crime is with the help of this course. [Open U]
Aims and Limits of the Criminal Law: Take this course to learn more about criminal law. [Berkeley]
Trials in History: Study famous trials in history through this course. [MIT]
Crime, Heredity and Insanity in American History: This course will teach you about crime and insanity throughout history. [ND]

DNA

Take these courses to learn all about DNA.

Genomic Medicine: This course reviews key genomic technologies. [MIT]
Molecular Biology and Genetics in Modern Medicine: You’ll get a foundation in molecular biology, genetics, and more from this course. [MIT]
Fundamental Biology & Genetics of Forensic DNA Testing: This course gives an examination of biological and genetic principles in forensic DNA testing. [FTN]
Genomics and Computational Biology: Take this course to learn about genomic biological networks. [MIT]
Forensic DNA Testing Basics: You’ll learn about the function DNA plays in forensic science from this course. [FTN]
Cognitive & Behavioral Genetics: Check out this course, and you’ll see how genetics can add to our understanding of cognition and behavior. [MIT]
DNA Fingerprinting, Genetics and Crime: This course covers DNA testing and the courtroom. [Michigan]
Genetics: You will learn about the application of genetic principles in this course. [Tufts]
Forensic DNA Testing Markers and Methods: Study genetic markers and DNA testing methods used in forensic science through this course. [FTN]
RNA Interference: This course teaches about using RNA interference for genetic analysis and therapeutics. [MIT]
Quantitative Genomics: Get a foundation in genomics from this course. [MIT]
Forensic DNA Testing Markers and Methods: Follow this course to study forensic DNA testing markers and methods. [FTN]

Science & Technology

Learn about anatomy, chemistry, and other tools you’ll need in the CSI field from these courses.

Introduction to Experimental Chemistry: You’ll study chemical phenomena in this course. [MIT]
General Chemistry: Find the study of chemical reactions and more in this course. [Berkeley]
Advanced Topics in Cryptography: This course will give you an advanced study in cryptography. [MIT]
General Chemistry: Find concept development studies in general chemistry through this course. [Rice]
Materials Science and Engineering: See how engineers play a part in forensic testimony. [MIT]
Organic Chemistry: Study this course for fundamental concepts in organic chemistry. [UCI]
Cryptography and Cryptanalysis: In this course, you’ll find a rigorous introduction to modern cryptography. [MIT]
Chemistry: Find a virtual chemistry lab and more in this course. [CMU]
Science in the Courtroom: Learn about science in the courtroom from this course. [Carleton]
Selected Topics in Cryptography: Check out this course to study a variety of topics in cryptography. [MIT]
Anatomy and Physiology: Check out this course for a study in anatomy and physiology. [WGU]
Human Growth and Development: Learn about the growth and development of humans from this course. [Tufts]
Biological Evidence Screening and Serology: Check out this course about biological evidence. [FTN]
Modern Biology: Find topics in the fields of biology, biochemistry, genetics, and beyond with this course. [CMU]
Analysis of Biological Networks: Take this course to analyze biological networks. [MIT]
General Biology: General Biology offers a course stressing the principles of biology. [UMB]
General Human Anatomy: Check out this course to learn about human anatomy. [Berkeley]
Histology: Through Histology, you will study microscopic anatomy. [Tufts]
Biochemical Engineering: Check out this course that studies the application of biology in engineering principles. [USU]
Anatomy and Physiology Part II: Find even more learning in anatomy and physiology with this course. [WGU]
Graduate Biochemistry: This course discusses the tools and analytical methods of biochemists. [MIT]
Reading the Blueprint of Life: In this course, you’ll find a study of transcription, stem cells, and differentiation. [MIT]
General Biology: Take General Biology for an introduction to cell structure, function, and beyond. [Berkeley]
Forensic Biology and Impression Evidence: Follow this course to explore the science of forensic biology. [Kaplan]
Quantitative Physiology: Study organ transport systems in this course. [MIT]

Psychology

Get into the head of victims and criminals with the help of these psychology courses.

Human Emotion: In this course, you’ll get insight into how human emotion works. [Berkeley]
Clinical Psychology: Clinical Psychology works to explain psychological dysfunction. [Berkeley]
Introduction to Psychology: Take this course to answer questions about human behavior and mental life. [MIT]
Neuroscience and Behavior: Neuroscience and Behavior studies the impact of neuroscience on behavior. [MIT]
Introduction to Psychology: Professor Paul Bloom’s course will give you a general look into psychology. [Yale]
General Psychology: Learn about general psychology through this course. [Berkeley]
Starting with Psychology: Starting with Psychology will help you understand why people feel, think, and behave the way they do. [Open U]

Death

As a crime scene investigator, your job will require you to confront death. These courses can help you better understand it.

Death: Professor Shelly Kagan discusses the philosophy of death in this course. [Yale]
Living with Death and Dying: Check out this course to see how you can live with death and dying. [Open U]