Infectious diseases — like HIV/AIDS, measles, hepatitis, influenza, malaria and Ebola — are collectively the second leading cause of death globally, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America. In the United States alone, the burden of infectious diseases is almost as high; infectious diseases are the third leading cause of death in the U.S., killing about 170,000 people each year.
Because of the ongoing threat of infectious diseases, the world urgently needs a next generation of scientists to combat the emergence and spread of infectious pathogens, both here and abroad. If you want to be a part of this battle, then consider taking your education to the next level with a Master of Science in Infectious Disease (MS-ID).
Training the Next Generation
The MS-ID program, offered through the Drexel University College of Medicine Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, is training a new generation of scientists who will focus on understanding, treating and eradicating infectious pathogens, no matter where they are. “Our program emphasizes the importance of research — basic, translational and clinical — used to build an understanding of how these diseases impact people around the world,” said Fred Krebs, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology and co-director of the program.
Providing Special Focus
“The MS-ID program highlights the need for the development of new diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines used to prevent and/or treat infectious diseases, whether they’re caused by viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal pathogens,” said Anand Mehta, DPhil, professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology and co-director of the program. The program provides special emphasis on the study of therapeutic and vaccine target identification, drug and vaccine discovery and development, resistance mechanisms that can affect drug effectiveness, and escape mechanisms used by pathogens to evade immune responses.
Flexible Program Fits Your Schedule
One unique aspect of the MS-ID program is its flexible curriculum. The program offers classes in traditional (face-to-face) and online formats. Most face-to-face classes are held in the early evening to maximize accessibility for those who may already be in the workforce. Students can attend classes at the Drexel University College of Medicine Center City and Queen Lane campuses. State-of-the-art video conferencing provides real-time interactive learning at both locations. Full-time students can complete the program in two years, but some students may opt to complete the program on a part-time basis, taking up to four years. In either sequence, no dissertation is required. Program directors and faculty work closely with each student to best achieve his or her specific career and learning goals. Training in the MS-ID program includes required and elective graduate courses, as well as a comprehensive research internship that provides hands-on laboratory experiences in infectious disease research. Students in the MS-ID program have the opportunity to train in laboratories within the Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease alongside investigators who direct research in leading-edge fields, including HIV/AIDS, malaria, hepatitis, bacterial pathogenesis and bioinformatics.
Interested? Contact Us
If the Master of Science in Infectious Disease graduate program interests you, please contact Stephanie Schleidt (academic administrator, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies) via email at ss3946@drexel.edu. Applications for entry into the program are now being accepted.