Medicine: Disease, Diagnostics, and Interventions
If you have set your sights on a career in medicine, this course is the place to start. Infectious diseases have been part of the human race since the beginning of time and continue to play a major role in modern day medicine. This course focuses on common biological causes, such as viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens. You’ll learn how diseases jump between hosts, understand how influenza can metastasize into a pandemic and delve into bacteria, staph infection and the battle against antibiotic resistance. Understand how physicians link symptoms to a diagnosis and devise a treatment plan. Finally, you’ll see how doctors are using microbiology, biotechnology and gene therapy to change the landscape of medicine.
Program Dates
Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility
For students ages 13 and up
Fees
$1495
How Physicians Diagnose Diseases and Design Treatment Plans
Understand Viruses, Bacteria and Parasites and Their Impacts on the Body
Learn the main pathogenic microorganisms that can spread among people. Understand the differences, how they infect the body, and how physicians match their patients with treatment options.
Understanding the Influenza Virus
Study the influenza virus (flu), and learn the infection pathways to the respiratory system. Review medical treatments that can help reduce its spread, and its public and global health implications.
How Staph Infections Attack the Body
Study Staphylococcus aureus and how it infects the body. See how physicians diagnose and treat it. Consider antibiotic resistance and the efforts public health agencies make to stop transmission.
Learn about the Parasite that Causes Malaria
Study the biology of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite pathogen that causes malaria. Identify the connection between sickle cell and malaria in areas where the disease is endemic.
Explore the Growing Field of Microbiology
Consider the expanding role of microbiology in medicine and biotechnology. Examine the biotechnological advances changing microbiology. Learn how certain microbial factors boost intervention through gene therapies.
Course Conclusion and Final Project
For your Final Project, create a patient case file using a pathogen from the course. Explain your case from diagnosis to treatment, and implications for public health.
How You Will Benefit
- Understand the biological features of pathogenic microorganisms: bacterial, viral and parasitic.
- Relate each type of pathogen to specific diseases and be able to discuss why they affect the body the way they do.
- Be able to link symptoms to specific diseases and available treatments.
- Explain the role of public health organizations in disease outbreak response: both interventions and epidemiological monitoring.
- Understand the importance of global health initiatives in reducing the spread of diseases.
- Communicate the future of microbiology, infectious disease treatment and biotechnology in the field of medicine.
- Complete a Final Project to demonstrate what you’re learned.
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from William & Mary.
Three Learning Advantages Designed for You
Final Project
This online course culminates in a Final Project that allows you to demonstrate what you’ve learned throughout the course, which you can add to your portfolio.
For this project, you will:
- Create a patient case file using a pathogen covered in the course.
- Through visual storytelling or video presentation, provide details and explain the patient case from diagnosis to treatment.
- Include any potential public or global health concerns connected to this disease.
Mentoring
You’ll receive guidance from a mentor who can support you and deepen your learning experience. You can expect:
- Encouragement and direction on all assignments.
- Inspiration, motivation and confidence to help you excel in your studies.
- Brainstorming and ideation to help you prepare for your Final Project.
Flexible Learning
- 100% online learning that works with your schedule.
- Flexible format: you’ll learn through video lectures. Tune in anytime that works for you.
- 20-30 hours of total instruction and course work, including engaging multimedia, simulations and curated assignments for which you will receive guidance and support from mentors.
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
All course options have the same educational content, learning materials and number of assignments. We are offering a condensed version of the course in order to accommodate students’ individual schedules.
Hear from William & Mary
Hear From Our Students
I think this course is an amazing way to learn more about medicine and diseases, as well as a way to help figure out what you may want to major in or build a career off of. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactivness and the way classes were taught and how much I learned. I would recommend this to anyone, even people who may not have considered a career in medicine. It was so enriching and interesting. - Isabelle, medicine student from VA.
The detail and communication were great. Each module was outlined very well and felt well paced. The videos and explanations were great and gave appropriate but extensive detail. Also, my course mentor, Marina was great! The feedback on my work was honest and made me much more successful for the next project. This course is a great option for high schoolers of any medical experience and background and a great way to experience your interests. - Reagan, medicine student from VA.
Someone should take this course if they are looking to explore or continue exploring their interest in medicine. Even if you're unsure about applying, just do it because the information you learn is valuable information that will give you a glimpse into the field of medicine and can help you decide if it is something you want to pursue. - Campbell, medicine student from TN.
Course Designed by William & Mary Faculty
Ashleigh Everhardt Queen, Ed.D., Senior Lecturer of Kinesiology, Allied Health Professions Advisor
Professor Ashleigh Everhardt Queen teaches courses that focus on human physiology. She also advises students who seek to enter Nursing or Physician Assistant School post-graduate programs at William & Mary. Ashleigh holds Bachelors of Science and Master of Science degrees in Biology. She earned her Doctorate of Education Administration from William & Mary’s School of Education. Her doctoral research focused on STEM transfer student perceptions of major academic advising.
Meet Your Mentors
Isabella
On a pre-medical track at William & Mary studying Kinesiology and Public Health.
Amber
B.S. in Kinesiology and Sociology from William & Mary.
How to Apply
It’s easy. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are needed. Our application requires basic contact information for you and your parent or guardian. Then, tell us why you wish to take this course. Include your personal story through writing, video, photos — or any medium you prefer.
Note: Please submit all application materials in English.
Begin the guided process. It should take only a few minutes of your time to answer the questions.
Want to Know More?
Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re admitted? Find answers to your questions here.
Scholarships
We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition.
- If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.
- If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.