Biology: The Science of Cells and Innovation

A career in the life sciences starts with understanding what's happening inside cells and how quickly that understanding is changing. This course moves beyond textbook depictions to explore cutting-edge discoveries in cell organization, biomolecular condensates, and advanced microscopy. It then connects that science to real-world applications in medicine, biotech, and research. Whether you want to pivot into the sciences or sharpen your focus within them, this is a flexible way to go deeper before making a bigger commitment.

Program Dates

Multi-length courses available throughout the year

Eligibility

For students ages 18 and up

College Credit Course Fees

$3,995

Enrichment Course Fees

$1,895

What's the Difference Between Our College Credit and Enrichment Courses?

Both enrichment and college credit–bearing options feature engaging online lessons and instructional support. College credit–bearing courses include additional coursework and offer the opportunity to earn academic credit upon successful completion. Some course content overlaps across both options, so students are encouraged to choose the format that best aligns with their academic or professional goals.

College Credit Courses
$3,995

Length of Course: Multi-length course options

Instruction & Activities: 128 hours

Grading: Letter grade

On Your Own Schedule: ✔️

Academic Support: ✔️

Final Project: ✔️

College Credit Hours: ✔️

Certificate of Completion: Georgetown Transcript

Enrichment Courses
$1,895

Length of Course: 1-, 2-, or 4-weeks

Instruction & Activities: 20-30 hours

Grading: Pass/Fail

On Your Own Schedule: ✔️

Academic Support: ✔️

Final Project: ✔️

College Credit Hours:

Certificate of Completion:✔️

See Cells Differently and Discover Where Biology Can Take Your Career

How Scientists Build and Rebuild What We Know

Examine how scientific paradigms form, shift, and sometimes collapse as new discoveries emerge, and build the interdisciplinary framework you'll use throughout the course. This way of thinking is foundational to careers in research, academia, and science communication.

The Building Blocks of Cell Biology

Explore the traditional view of cell structure and function, from organelles to membranes, and understand the chemical and physical laws that govern cell behavior. This grounding prepares you to evaluate how recent breakthroughs are rewriting the basics.

The Tools That Changed How We See Life

Survey the microscopy technologies that have transformed cell biology, from fluorescence and electron microscopy to atomic-level imaging, and learn how scientists choose the right tool for the right question. These methods are central to careers in biomedical research, diagnostics, and laboratory science.

Biomolecular Condensates and a New Era of Cell Science

Investigate the recent discovery of biomolecular condensates and how they are fundamentally changing our understanding of how cells organize their contents without membranes. This is the kind of frontier science that drives innovation in drug development, biotech, and academic research.

When Cell Organization Goes Wrong

Apply your knowledge of cell biology to real disease states, including cancer, neurological disorders, and viral infections, and see how scientists are translating condensate research into new treatments. This module bridges foundational science and translational medicine, a connection at the heart of careers in pharmacology, public health, and clinical research.

Where Cell Biology Can Take You

Explore the professional paths that a deeper understanding of cell biology opens up, from biomedical research and biotech to epidemiology, science policy, and patent law. Reflect on how the skills and knowledge from this course align with your career direction.

What You Gain From This Experience

  • Understanding of how cells organize and function, from foundational principles to cutting-edge discoveries in biomolecular condensates and advanced microscopy.
  • Insight into how disruptions in cell organization contribute to diseases like cancer, neurological disorders, and viral infections, and how that knowledge is driving new treatments.
  • Exposure to career paths in biomedical research, biotech, pharmacology, epidemiology, science communication, and more.
  • Experience translating complex scientific research into a clear presentation through a Final Capstone Project.
  • A Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University upon successful completion of the course.

Male student taking an online course on his laptop

What Sets This Program Apart

A Capstone Project With Real-World Relevance

  • Analyze a published scientific paper on biomolecular condensates and communicate its findings to an audience of your choice.
  • Practice the kind of science communication and critical analysis valued in research, industry, and academic career paths.

Instructional Guidance And Mentorship

  • Analyze a published scientific paper on biomolecular condensates and communicate its findings to an audience of your choice.
  • Practice the kind of science communication and critical analysis valued in research, industry, and academic career paths.

Flexible Learning With Clear Expectations

  • Engage with online coursework designed to support steady progress alongside work, school, or other responsibilities.
  • Complete assignments and the Final Capstone Project on a predictable timeline that supports independent planning.

Apply Now for the Next Available Course

Course Designed by Georgetown University Faculty

Heidi Elmendorf | Biology Course Instructor | Georgetown University

Heidi Elmendorf, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology

Professor Elmendorf has been a faculty member in the Department of Biology at Georgetown University for 24 years. She also teaches for Georgetown’s Community Scholars Program; the Education, Inquiry & Justice minor (a program she now directs); the Summer High School Sessions Program; and the DC Jail through Georgetown's Prisons and Justice Initiative. She’s also an infectious disease researcher and a researcher/designer of educational equity initiatives.

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Admissions

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Frequently Asked Questions

How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re admitted? Find answers to your questions here.

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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.