Medical Research: Shaping the Future of Health and Medicine
For the aspiring physician, understanding how new and emerging technologies are developed and integrated into medical research is crucial. This course immerses you in the journey from laboratory discovery to patient treatment, from initial hypothesis to clinical therapy. Learn from leading experts about the collaborative dynamics between researchers and clinicians that drive medical breakthroughs. Explore diverse career paths within medical research and apply your knowledge by proposing a novel strategy to address a complex disease.
Choose the course length that works for you: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility
For students ages 18 and up
Fees
$2,195
Advance the Future of Medicine
Navigating the Path to Medical Breakthroughs
Analyze the intricate pathway from initial hypothesis to clinical implementation. Investigate the interplay between academic research, clinical trials, and industry commercialization.
Designing Tomorrow's Therapeutics
Examine the principles of drug design and target validation. Learn the methodologies for establishing a compound's safety and efficacy during preclinical development.
Genomic Applications in Clinical Practice
Explore the clinical impact of gene-editing tools like CRISPR and next-generation sequencing. You will evaluate how genomic data informs diagnostic strategies and patient-specific therapies.
From Protein Structure to Therapeutic Function
Delve into the principles of structural biology and drug design. Assess how 3D molecular structures and preclinical disease models guide the engineering of specific therapeutics.
Applying Big Data in Clinical Practice
Analyze how AI and predictive modeling enhance diagnostic accuracy. Learn to apply computational tools and large datasets to inform clinical decision-making and improve outcomes.
Designing a Therapeutic Proposal
Select a major human disease and define a critical research question. Construct a research proposal that integrates multidisciplinary knowledge and evaluates real-world translational challenges.
Pre-Med Online Certificate Program Advantages
- Learn through expert-led courses taught by Harvard Medical School faculty, with mentors providing guidance and feedback throughout your experience.
- Benefit from a flexible, self-paced format that allows you to progress on your schedule while maintaining academic rigor.
- Engage with interactive modules featuring case studies, assignments, and discussion boards that deepen your exploration of medical topics.
- Apply your learning through a Final Capstone Project that connects coursework to real-world health care challenges.
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Medical School, a valuable credential.
Four Benefits of the Program
Final Capstone Project
This online course culminates in a final project that allows you to:
- Put key course concepts — such as clinical practice, health care systems, and innovation — into practice through real-world applications.
- Sharpen your critical thinking by analyzing the challenges and possibilities shaping the future of health care.
- Develop a forward-thinking outlook that bridges what you learn today with your future path in medicine.
Experience Medical School-Level Content
- You’ll have access to material, quizzes, and other engaging content designed by physicians, scientists, and faculty from Harvard Medical School.
- Courses lay a foundation for success in medical school, fostering the intellectual curiosity, empathy, and leadership qualities that define exceptional physicians.
Support from Mentors
- In addition to learning from Harvard Medical School faculty, you’ll be supported by mentors — including physicians, researchers, and health care professionals — who will provide insight and encouragement to help you succeed.
- Here’s what to expect: You’ll receive guidance tailored to your course’s specific discipline, along with encouragement and direction throughout the program. Mentors are here to help you stay on track and succeed every step of the way.
Maximum Flexibility
- The program is entirely online, allowing you to pursue the rigorous curriculum on your schedule; anytime, anywhere.
- Experience flexible, immersive video content.
- Take multiple courses to deepen your learning experience and further prepare you for medical school.
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
Taught by HMS Faculty
Marcia Haigis, Ph.D.
Professor of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School
Marcia C. Haigis, Ph.D., is a Professor of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School, Co-Director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging at Harvard, Co-Director of the Bertarelli Rare Cancer Initiative, and a member of Ludwig Center at Harvard Medical School. She received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and completed postdoctoral research at MIT on mitochondrial metabolism. Her lab investigates how mitochondria respond to cellular stress and contribute to aging and age-related diseases, including cancer, with key discoveries in metabolic reprogramming and cancer biology.
Cigall Kadoch, Ph.D.
Professor of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School
Cigall Kadoch, Ph.D., is a Professor of Pediatric Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Co-Director of the Epigenomics Program at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. She established her lab in 2014, immediately after completing her Ph.D. at Stanford, and is internationally recognized for her pioneering work on chromatin and gene regulation in human diseases such as cancer. She has received numerous honors, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 and MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 lists, and, most recently, the 2024 Laureate in the Life Sciences of the Blavatnik National Awards.
How To Apply:
Our application process is straightforward. Tell us why you are interested in medicine and how this program can help you on your medical journey. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required.
Note: Please submit all application materials in English.
Begin the guided application 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.
Admissions
Our application process is easy. You can expect a prompt decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you're accepted? 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.
