Program Overview

Program Overview

The Fundamentals of Immunology program is an online course offered by Rice University, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the immune system. The program is divided into four courses, with the first course focusing on innate immunity and B-cell function.

Course Details

Course 1: Fundamentals of Immunology: Innate Immunity and B-cell Function

• Format: 100% Online, Self-Paced
• Course Duration: 3 weeks (initially stated), later corrected to 7 weeks
• Time Commitment: Approx. 5 hours/week (initially stated), later corrected to 5-8 hours per week
• Credentials Offered: Non-Credit Course Certificate, with a Certificate Available upon completion

Program Objectives

The program aims to provide students with a deep understanding of the immune system, including the core functions of the adaptive and innate immune systems. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Recall and explain the foundational concepts necessary for understanding immune function
• Explain the interaction of innate and adaptive immunity in the context of public health
• Identify and apply the details of antibody structure, function, genetic coding, and biochemical triggers of immunoglobulin synthesis effectively

Target Audience

The program is designed for:

• Premed and medical students seeking foundational knowledge in immunology
• Individuals with immune diseases or cancer looking for deeper insights
• Anyone curious about the immune system and the role of vaccines

Faculty

The program is taught by experienced faculty, including Dr. Alma Moon Novotny, Ph.D., who has taught college courses in plant and animal sciences, genetics, and introductory cell and developmental biology for over forty years.

Related Courses

The Fundamentals of Immunology program is part of a specialization, with four courses in total:

• Course 1: Fundamentals of Immunology: Innate Immunity and B-cell Function
• Course 2: Fundamentals of Immunology: Complement, MHC I and II, T Cells, and Cytokines
• Course 3: Fundamentals of Immunology: Inflammation, Tolerance, Autoimmunity
• Course 4: Fundamentals of Immunology: Dueling with Pathogens and Cancer

Tuition and Fees

The program is offered on the Coursera platform, with tuition fees available on the Coursera website. The program is available through a subscription-based model.