The Linux command line is one of the most essential skills for every bioinformatician. Most modern bioinformatics software, sequencing pipelines, and high-performance computing environments rely on Linux and Bash.

In this beginner-friendly course, you’ll learn why Linux is the preferred operating system for bioinformatics, understand basic Bash commands, and explore commonly used bioinformatics tools available through the command line.

You’ll also gain practical experience with sequence alignment using BLAST, perform phylogenetic tree construction, and learn how Linux forms the backbone of modern computational biology workflows.

By the end of this course, you’ll have the confidence to navigate Linux, execute basic commands, and prepare for more advanced bioinformatics analyses.

What You’ll Learn

• Understand why Linux is essential for bioinformatics
• Navigate the Linux command line with confidence
• Learn the most important Bash commands
• Use NCBI E-utilities from the terminal
• Perform sequence alignment using BLAST
• Construct phylogenetic trees
• Explore commonly used bioinformatics software
• Prepare for advanced Linux-based bioinformatics pipelines

Requirements

• No Linux experience required
• No programming experience required
• Basic biology knowledge is helpful but not necessary

Who This Course Is For

• Bioinformatics beginners
• Biology and Biotechnology students
• Genetics and Molecular Biology students
• Researchers transitioning to computational biology
• Anyone interested in learning Linux for scientific research