Program Overview

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Online Master's in Infectious Disease

The Master of Science in Infectious Disease program provides graduate-level training in the fundamentals of molecular biology, cell biology, and immunology, as well as basic, translational, and clinical aspects of diseases caused by important infectious pathogens.

Program Overview

• The program is fully online and does not require a thesis.
• It prepares students for careers in government, industry, and academic environments.
• The program is taught by expert faculty from Drexel University College of Medicine's Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease.

Select Study Topics

• Emerging pathogens
• Experimental therapeutics
• Principles of biocontainment
• Vaccines and vaccine development
• Viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens

Program Features

• 100% online
• No thesis required
• Taught by expert faculty

Infectious Disease Research Internship

• Offered as an elective in the curriculum
• Involves basic, translational, or clinical research in the field of infectious disease
• Can be completed at laboratories at the College of Medicine or in other academic, industry, or biotechnology settings

Career Opportunities

• Clinical laboratories
• Biotechnology companies
• Contract research organizations (CRO) that provide support to pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries
• PhD training

Study of Infectious Diseases

• Examines the way the body responds to, and protects itself from, pathogens
• Emphasizes research and development efforts focused on new diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines

Signature Elements

• Introduction to Infectious Disease: Provides a comprehensive overview of bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral pathogens
• Clinical Correlations in Infectious Disease: Features researchers and clinicians at the College of Medicine who talk about their active research programs in the field of infectious disease
• Research Internship in Infectious Disease: Involves students in basic, translational, or clinical research in the field of infectious disease

Curriculum

Required Courses

Course	Title	Credits
IDPT 500S	Responsible Conduct of Research	2.0
or MIIM 503S	Biomedical Ethics
IDPT 501S	Biostatistics I	2.0
or MIIM 517S	Applied Statistics for Biomedical Sciences
MIIM 527S	Immunology, Immunopathology and Infectious Diseases	3.0
MIIM 530S	Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine I	3.0
MIIM 531S	Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine II	2.0
MIIM 533S	Molecular Medicine Journal Club II	1.0
MIIM 534S	Molecular Medicine Journal Club I	1.0
MIIM 545S	Introduction to Infectious Diseases	4.0
MIIM 606S	Microbiology and Immunology Seminar	1.0
MIIM 653S	Clinical Correlations in Infectious Disease	3.0

Electives

• MIIM 520S: Science Communication and Outreach
• MIIM 521S: Biotechniques I: Molecular and Genomic Methods
• MIIM 522S: Biotechniques II: Immunological Methods
• MIIM 524S: Vaccines and Vaccine Development
• MIIM 525S: Principles of Biocontainment
• MIIM 532S: Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine III
• MIIM 540S: Viruses and Viral Infections
• MIIM 541S: Bacteria and Bacterial Infections
• MIIM 542S: Mycology and Fungal Infections
• MIIM 543S: Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases
• MIIM 555S: Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogens
• MIIM 613S: Emerging Infectious Diseases
• MIIM 621S: Biotechniques and Laboratory Research I
• MIIM 622S: Biotechniques and Laboratory Research II
• MIIM 625S: Advanced Molecular Virology
• MIIM 652S: Research Internship in Infectious Disease
• MIIM 655S: Emerging Biomedical Interventions for Human Disease
• MIIM 660S: Current Concepts in Molecular Medicine I
• MLAS 529S: Molecular Genetics

Total Credits

• At least 36.0 credits are required to complete the program

Admissions Criteria

• A four-year biology or chemistry-based bachelor's degree with coursework in biology, microbiology, immunology, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, and/or other related subjects
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
• Lower GPA's will be considered if other strengths are apparent in the application

Required Documents

• A completed application
• Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
• Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
• Personal statement (approximately 500 words) that addresses reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel, short and long-term career plans, and vision of how background, experience, interests, and/or values will enable the pursuit of these goals successfully
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Additional requirements for International Students

Additional Recommended Documents

• Standardized test scores are not required, but highly recommended in order to make the application more competitive
• Score reports accepted: GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT
• Drexel's school code is 2194

Tuition

• The tuition rate for the academic year is $1830 per credit
• A graduate online program fee of $125 per year
• This program is eligible for Financial Aid
• Special tuition rates available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of Partner Organizations

Academic Calendar

• Academic Year: Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026
• Term: Fall, Spring, Summer
• Classes Begin: August 18, 2025 (Fall), January 5, 2026 (Spring), May 11, 2026 (Summer)
• Classes End: December 12, 2025 (Fall), May 1, 2026 (Spring), August 7, 2026 (Summer)