Learn to think like a bioscientist

Bioscience: An Inside Look at Infectious Disease

Are you curious about how scientists study and treat infectious diseases at the very deepest level? Would you like to explore college majors and careers connected with this field? If you have a passion for understanding how diseases spring from nature to humans and then spread across our planet, this course is for you. We’ll take a deep dive into the causes and treatments of conditions such as Covid-19, tuberculosis, HIV and more. Ideal for anyone interested in pre-med, scientific research, global health, biology or chemistry.

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Pathogen cell of an infectious disease

Program Dates

Multiple 2- and 4-week sessions.

Eligibility

For students ages 13+.

Fees

$1495

Understand infectious disease from the molecules up

Discover how epidemiologists identify the source of disease

Examine how cholera, Zika, bubonic plague are discovered and traced down to “Patient Zero.” Understand what epidemiologists, do and study the history, symptoms and prevalence of specific diseases.

Explore the exciting work of pioneers such as Louis Pasteur and others

Study major discoveries in the field of infectious disease. Understand the differences between viral, bacterial, and other infectious pathogens. Learn how the immune system fights diseases.

Learn how to research infectious disease

Review the research biomedical scientists use to address the spread of infectious diseases. Search databases and draw on scientific research to trace the pathway of diseases.

Find out how diseases are able to infect human cells

Understand methods pathogens use to invade human cells. Learn how infectious molecules replicate and how the immune system fights back. Study the flu, HIV, and E. Coli.

Explore treatments, the history of vaccines and the latest detection technologies

Learn to differentiate antivirals from antibiotics. Study how vaccines are used to prevent infectious disease and how DNA-related technologies are being used to treat certain diseases.

Prepare for a future related to infectious disease

This course offers great insight for students interested in careers such as physician, lab assistant, medical researcher, science journalist, and more.

How You Will Benefit

  • Understand how epidemiologists discover, trace and treat infectious disease
  • Learn the basics of scientific research—how to work with databases and medical literature
  • Gain an understanding of the difference between viral, bacterial and other pathogens that cause disease
  • Acquire a working knowledge of the molecular and chemical structure of infectious disease
  • Develop your communication, thinking and presentation skills
  • Determine if college courses/careers related to infectious disease are right for you

High school student taking Wake Forest's online bioscience course on a laptop

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Hear from our students

"This course is an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about viruses, bacteria and diseases. The instructors and mentors are really good, and the required activities are too."

Laura, bioscience student from Brazil

"I would recommend this course as it was interactive, informative, and easy to navigate. I learned a lot about the field of bioscience which helped me to determine what area I might want to research more."

Bioscience student from CA

3 Learning Advantages Designed for You

  1. Final Capstone Project

    The course culminates with a special capstone project that allows you to: 

    • Demonstrate what you’ve learned in this course
    • Choose an infectious disease and tell its story (the cause, history, symptoms, treatment, etc.) 
    • Create a presentation using video, Powerpoint, Zoom or another medium you prefer.
  2. Mentoring

    You’ll receive guidance from a mentor who can support you and answer questions as you deepen your learning experience. You can expect: 

    • Encouragement and direction on all assignments
    • Inspiration, motivation and confidence to help you succeed
    • Brainstorming to help you prepare for your final capstone project
  3. Flexible Learning

    • 100% online, works with your schedule
    • You’ll learn through engaging video— tune in anytime that works for you
    • 25 - 30 hours of total instruction and course work, including engaging multimedia simulations and curated assignments for which you will receive guidance and support
    • Engage with fellow students around the world any time, any place

Course designed by Wake Forest University

Dr. Megan Rudock | Bioscience Course Instructor | Wake Forest University

Dr. Megan Rudock, Ph.D., Wake Forest University

Dr. Megan Rudock earned her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Georgia, with research focused on biochemistry and molecular biology. She then earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Genomics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Her doctoral research focused on population genetics and the biochemical and molecular pathways leading to subclinical atherosclerosis and insulin resistance.

Dr. Rudock is a former member of the teaching faculty in the Chemistry Department at Wake Forest University where she taught Everyday Chemistry, General Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Meet The Mentors

Carly | Wake Forest Bioscience Course Mentor

Carly

Wake Forest University graduate with a degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery. She contributed to research projects concerning both drug design and synthesis as well as crystallographic structure determination. Carly's pursuing a PhD at West Virginia University, with a focus on organometallic chemistry and catalysis.

George | Wake Forest Bioscience Course Mentor

George

Graduate student at Wake Forest University pursuing a PhD in Organic Chemistry. He graduated with a BS in Chemistry and Biology from Catawba College.

How to Apply:

Student at desk

It’s easy. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required. Just provide some basic information and tell us why you wish to take this program.

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.

Begin the guided process

Want to know more?

Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.

Admissions

Our application process is easy. You can expect a prompt decision.

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you get to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re accepted?

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.

The University reserves the right to modify the course as may become necessary.