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    Food Courses Online

    Understand food principles for nutrition and culinary arts. Learn about food science, preparation techniques, and healthy eating.

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    Explore the Food Course Catalog

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Pennsylvania

      Feeding the World

      Skills you'll gain: Food and Beverage, Environmental Science, Food Safety and Sanitation, Nutrition and Diet, Production Process, Environment, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Trend Analysis, Infectious Diseases, Public Health, Economics

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      252 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • N

      National Academy of Sports Medicine

      Aligning Diet and Exercise

      Skills you'll gain: Nutrition and Diet, Kinesiology, Clinical Nutrition, Physical Therapy, Preventative Care

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      56 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management

      Skills you'll gain: Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Nutrition and Diet, Food Safety and Sanitation, Food Services, Public Health, Biology, Microbiology, Caregiving, Environment, Economics

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      606 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      T

      Tufts University

      Building a Healthy Plate

      Skills you'll gain: Nutrition and Diet, Nutrition Education, Preventative Care, Community Health

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      110 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • J

      Johns Hopkins University

      An Introduction to the U.S. Food System: Perspectives from Public Health

      Skills you'll gain: Nutrition and Diet, Food and Beverage, Public Health, Community Health, Social Justice, Systems Thinking, Environmental Science, Environment and Resource Management, Health Policy, Public Policies, Economics

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      163 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      L

      Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

      Research kitchen

      Skills you'll gain: Innovation, Organizational Structure, Competitive Analysis, Business Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Business Strategies, Research, Strategic Thinking, Organizational Development, Business Research, Strategic Decision-Making, Market Dynamics

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      151 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      J

      Johns Hopkins University

      Black Agricultural Solutions to Food Apartheid: A Teach-Out

      Skills you'll gain: Land Management, Community Development, Community Organizing, Advocacy, Social Justice, Cultural Diversity, Health Equity, Culture, Environment, Economic Development

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      17 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      L

      Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)

      Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy

      Skills you'll gain: Maternal Health, Patient Education And Counseling, Preventative Care, Clinical Nutrition, Nutrition and Diet, Food Safety and Sanitation, Medical Science and Research, Chronic Diseases

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.2K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Pittsburgh

      Disaster Preparedness

      Skills you'll gain: Triage, Mitigation, Emergency Response, Safety and Security, Emergency Medicine, First Aid, Healthcare Ethics, Risk Analysis, Stress Management, Resourcefulness, Adaptability, Water Resources, Cultural Diversity, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.6K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of California San Diego

      Introduction to Algae

      Skills you'll gain: Biochemistry, Manufacturing and Production, Food and Beverage, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceuticals, Biology, Taxonomy, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Laboratory Testing

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.2K reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      Textual Elements of Design: Fonts, Typography, and Spacing

      Skills you'll gain: Typography, Graphic and Visual Design, Design, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design Software, Design Elements And Principles

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      273 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Colorado System

      Managing Asthma, Allergies, Diabetes, and Seizures in School

      Skills you'll gain: Chronic Diseases, Student Support and Services, Care Management, Care Coordination, Medical Emergency, School Psychology, First Aid, Patient Education and Support, Pediatrics, Emergency Response, Respiratory Care, Food Safety and Sanitation, Nursing, Medication Administration, Child Health, Nutrition and Diet

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      704 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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    1…567…17

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular food courses

    • Feeding the World: University of Pennsylvania
    • Aligning Diet and Exercise: National Academy of Sports Medicine
    • Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Building a Healthy Plate: Tufts University
    • An Introduction to the U.S. Food System: Perspectives from Public Health: Johns Hopkins University
    • Research kitchen: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
    • Black Agricultural Solutions to Food Apartheid: A Teach-Out: Johns Hopkins University
    • Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
    • Disaster Preparedness: University of Pittsburgh
    • Introduction to Algae: University of California San Diego

    Frequently Asked Questions about Food

    Food is a fundamental human need just like air to breathe and water to drink, but also it’s much more than that: it is one of the oldest and most important forms of human culture. While everyone eats, every country, region, and community has its own distinct style of cooking, and the sharing and intermingling of different cuisines has shaped the course of human history as well as our own personal experience of the world. And in today’s era of globalization, we have more opportunities to explore and appreciate the diversity of the world’s food cultures than ever before.

    It is important to learn about food for reasons other than the pursuit of gustatory pleasure and cultural enrichment, of course. As food science and health informatics help us learn about the links between nutrition and health challenges like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, doctors and dieticians have an increasing role to play in improving public health. The environmental impacts of our food systems are also becoming a source of greater concern, as we seek to feed a growing global population sustainably without destroying natural resources or accelerating climate change.‎

    The production, transportation, and preparation of food is a huge global industry, with a wide range of career opportunities. Farmers and other agricultural companies are the backbone of many regional economies around the world, and these businesses harness the latest science and technology to improve yields, lower costs and resource consumption, and improve taste and nutritional value. Food also offers countless opportunities for entrepreneurship, whether you aspire to open a restaurant or develop new processes for growing organic food..

    Given the growing interest in where our food comes from and how it impacts our health, becoming a nutritionist is an increasingly popular career in the world of food. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dietitians and nutritionists earned a median annual salary of $61,270 in 2019, and these jobs are projected to grow much faster than average across the rest of the economy over the next decade.‎

    Yes! Whether you’re interested in learning about food science and nutrition or the cultural aspects of food, Coursera offers a wide range of courses to meet your needs. You can learn from top-ranked universities from all over the world including Stanford University, Emory University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the University of Copenhagen - a truly global selection to ensure that your education is as rich and diverse as the foods you learn about.‎

    Any level of cook, food enthusiast, or wine enthusiast can benefit from studying the science, culture, and joy that comes with consuming and serving food. Food is a universal language that can inspire novices and experts alike. Introductory courses are suitable for any level learner. No experience is necessary, but an interest in food consumption and how it intersects with public health, business, and culture is helpful.‎

    Food is as essential to human life as water, air, and shelter. It’s a part of who we are and quite often our entire days revolve around our food consumption. If you are interested in learning about how food impacts every facet of life, from our planet to global health, learning about food may be a path to explore.‎

    Learners interested in global food systems may find a career in public health and policy. A public health expert who studies human diets may study sustainable natural resources for consumption and their relationship to climate change. A common career path for nutritionists may involve working with clients to develop a realistic diet that’s healthy and fulfilling. Nutritionists may specialize in child nutrition and cooking, pregnancy, or weight management. A professional chef studying food may consider a career path that includes opening a restaurant or expanding their existing menu to include new and innovative food options.‎

    Topics centering around weight management, diabetes, gastrology, and nutrition can shed light on how our bodies process food and what it means for us in the long term. Learners interested in food as medicine may consider topics that explore the benefits of herbal medicine on the human body. Additionally, courses that explore regional food and how it shapes and helps define the culture may give learners a sense of the reach food has in a society. Topics studying food safety and food science can help explain how food makes it to your grocery store or favorite restaurant, and how this chain of transfer works. Public health and the future of food is a huge part of food consumption. Topics that explore future food problems, sustainable diets, global availability, and the economics of food can help people understand the balancing act that is the future of food. Topics that uncover the science of winemaking and wine tasting can give learners the vocabulary to express and understand the complex conditions required for the production of a great bottle of wine.‎

    Online Food courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Food skills. Choose from a wide range of Food courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Food, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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