Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are a new way of online teaching and learning. The courses are typically free of charge and offer a very diverse set of learning materials such as short video lectures, readings, interactive assignments, simulations, animations, discussion lists and tests. Because of the digital nature students can follow the course independent of time and place, and at their own pace. Because many MOOCs contain high quality materials, more and more universities are interested in integrating MOOC content into the regular curriculum. In medicine a large number of MOOCs is available on various topics, among many in the basic sciences.