Medicine: Diagnostics, Treatment, and Patient Care
Are you curious about a future in medicine and how doctors and other medical professionals work together to address a patient’s needs? In this course, you’ll explore the patient-care procedures, from initial exam and evaluation of symptoms to diagnosis and treatment. You’ll study disorders of the heart, the lungs, the spinal cord, and the endocrine system. You’ll learn about the basic science of each disorder, how it is diagnosed, and recent breakthroughs that are improving treatment options.
Program Dates
Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility
For students ages 13 and up
Fees
$1495
From Diagnosis to Treatment and Beyond
Learning the Art of Medicine
Discover how medicine is both a scientific discipline and an art. Learn how physicians interact with patients to keep them comfortable and informed, and identify how physicians gather the data they need to make a diagnosis.
Delve into Cardiovascular Disorders
Explore what happens to the body when the heart struggles to pump blood effectively. Determine how physicians use ultrasound imaging and EKG monitoring to confirm which part of the heart is malfunctioning and requires treatment.
Identify Common Diseases of the Lungs
Understand how the respiratory system functions, including how the lungs bring oxygen into the body and the impact of common diseases like asthma and COPD. Evaluate respiratory issues and treatments that improve quality of life.
Study Nervous System Disorders
Identify how the nervous system sends and processes signals to control the body, and how the disruption of these signals can impair bodily function in a variety of ways. Explore how physicians identify the precise area of disruption and determine an appropriate treatment plan.
Understand Endocrine System Imbalances
Explore how diseases of the endocrine system cause problems throughout the body, even causing symptoms that can be mistaken for the malfunctioning of other body systems. Discover how physicians use blood tests and imaging to diagnose common hormonal disorders.
Final Capstone Project
Evaluate a case study in which the patient’s symptoms result from dysfunction in multiple body systems covered in the course. Identify which conditions are causing the patient's symptoms and apply effective patient communication strategies to explain the diagnosis.
How You Will Benefit
- Learn how physicians interact with patients to build trust
- Gain an understanding of the diagnostic process used to identify the cause of a patient's symptoms
- Study diagnostic tools, including blood tests and imaging, and determine when each is best utilized
- Become familiar with the structures and functions of the respiratory, nervous, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems
- Identify common disorders of these systems and how they are diagnosed and treated
- Discover technology breakthroughs designed to improve the treatment of conditions related to these systems
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Rice University.
Three Learning Advantages Designed for You
Capstone Project
This course culminates with a Capstone Project where you will:
- Examine a case study in which the patient’s symptoms result from dysfunction in multiple body systems
- Use the patient's history, physical exam, and diagnostic testing results to identify which conditions are causing their symptoms
- Apply strategies for effective patient communication to explain the diagnosis and address patient questions
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 capstone project.
Flexible Learning
- 100% online learning that works with your schedule.
- Flexible format: you’ll learn through video lectures that allow you to tune in anytime that works for you.
- 20-30 hours of total instruction and course work,
- Tech-forward interactions, including engaging multimedia, real-life simulations, and curated assignments.
- 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.
Course Designed by Rice University Faculty
Mehdi Razavi, MD
Associate Professor, Rice University
Dr. Mehdi Razavi is a cardiac electrophysiologist at the Baylor College of Medicine and Adjunct Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Rice University, where he has been in practice since 2004. Dr. Razavi is highly engaged in undergraduate and graduate education and has received multiple teaching awards for his contributions. Dr. Razavi’s research is in the field of medical technology innovation and development, which has led to multiple collaborations across a variety of fields with Rice faculty. His work has fostered the development of new technologies across multiple fields, including electrical and bioengineering, and the technologies currently being used in hospitals.
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.
Begin the guided process. It should take only a few minutes 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.