نظرة عامة على البرنامج

Introduction to the National School of Tropical Medicine

The National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine is the only school of tropical medicine in the United States solely committed to addressing the world's most pressing tropical diseases that disproportionately afflict the poorest people.

Tropical Medicine Summer Institute

The National School of Tropical Medicine has created an introductory course designed to help undergraduates determine if tropical medicine is right for them. This intensive two-week course introduces students to tropical medicine through explorations of global health, epidemiology, public health, infectious diseases, parasitic diseases, and neglected tropical diseases.

Curriculum

The faculty of NSTM, Baylor College of Medicine, and affiliated institutions possess a wealth of knowledge and experience. The Tropical Medicine Summer Institute program has been structured to give students a broad overview of tropical medicine, touching on all crucial topics including:

• Infectious Diseases: diarrheal diseases, water and food borne diseases, airborne diseases (TB, Influenza, SARS), blood borne and STDs (Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, HPV)
• Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Parasitic Diseases
• Nutritional Diseases
• Cancer and Tropical Infections
• Immunity and Vaccines
• Public/Environmental Health: epidemiology, global health policy, community health promotion, waste management
• Case Studies
• Parasitology Laboratory
• Career Counseling

Objectives

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Recognize the role of epidemiology in identifying the distribution, patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations, and informing public health policy.
• Describe the role of health education, water and sanitation management in the control of tropical diseases.
• Describe the link between neglected tropical diseases and poverty.
• Appreciate the relationship between health policy and control programs.
• Identify the basics of biotechnology/biopharmaceutical development (i.e., vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics).
• Describe the basic pathogenesis of tropical and infectious diseases.
• Describe the role of vector biology and animal health involved in the transmission of certain pathogens.
• Perform basic diagnostic procedures and identify the organisms that cause illnesses.

Admissions

The 2026 Summer Institute dates are from June 1 to June 12. The application deadline is March 11, 2026. Applicants need to complete the online application and provide a short personal statement explaining the reason for pursuing the Summer Institute program and must have at least a 3.0 GPA.

Application Requirements

• A short personal statement (200 words or less)
• At least a 3.0 GPA (scale is 4.0)
• One Letter of Support (faculty only)

Tuition and Fees

The Cost of Attendance is a flat rate of $1,938.75. 50% of tuition is due upon being notified of acceptance into the program. The refund and payment schedule are as follows:

• March 15 - 50 percent due upon acceptance
• April 15 last day to drop for 100 percent refund
• April 16 - Lose 50 percent of deposit
• June 1 Remaining balance due (No refunds given)

Housing

Baylor College of Medicine does not offer on-campus or off-campus housing. The cost of living in Houston is 25.9 percent below the average cost of living in the 20 most populous U.S. cities.

Transportation

The Summer Institute program does not provide transportation or parking for participants. There are two airports in Houston, Hobby and Intercontinental. Participants should arrange personal transportation to and from the airport.