<p>Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us is a self-paced online course from the University of Pennsylvania on Coursera. It covers the anatomy and physiology underlying the five key vital signs – heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration rate and pain – with demonstrations of measurement technique.</p> <ul> <li>Open to anyone; no formal prerequisites.</li> <li>Six modules structured around the vital signs, including cardiovascular and respiratory physiology.</li> <li>Taught by Connie B. Scanga, PhD, Practice Professor of Nursing at Penn.</li> <li>Free to audit on Coursera; paid certificate option and financial aid available.</li> </ul> <p>Aimed at students considering healthcare careers, lay caregivers and anyone interested in personal health. Enrolment on Coursera is open year-round.</p>