About the Course

Be the Doctor: The Science Behind the Symptoms

Doctors must make quick decisions based on their knowledge, experience, and a short list of symptoms—there is not always a simple solution, and lives are often on the line.

In this course, we’ll learn about the anatomy and physiology of different body systems, as well as diseases, disorders, and methods of diagnosis, by focusing on the medical specialties of cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, hematology, and immunology. During class, we’ll work in small groups to analyze and interpret case studies from the specialists’ perspectives, and you’ll write case studies based on what you’ve learned.

Outside of class meetings, you’ll use your new knowledge and conduct additional research to analyze and write case studies about situations gone wrong. You might, for example, apply your understanding of the respiratory and circulatory systems to an injured hockey player who took a hit during a game. Along the way, you’ll ask and answer questions, diagnose root causes, and suggest diagnostic tests and treatments that will help put your patients on the path to recovery.

Time commitment: 2.5-3.5 hours per week (1.5 hours of class time, 1-2 hours of independent work). Course will include 6 sessions over 6 weeks. 

Course Overview

About Advanced Enrichment Courses

These courses offer above-grade-level material presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator and help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges.

The content in Be the Doctor: The Science Behind the Symptoms overlaps with the CTY course Diagnosis: Be the Doctor. Students who have already taken Diagnosis: Be the Doctor may wish to consult an enrollment advisor before selecting this course.

This course is

ungraded.

Classes

Register for an Online course by selecting an open class below. If no open classes are listed, then course enrollment is currently closed. Note: You will need to have an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY.

Wednesdays
-
5 weeks
7:00 p.m. (ET)
$1,365
Enroll

Testing and Prerequisites

  Math Verbal
Required Level CTY-Level or CTY-Level
Check your eligibility using existing test scores If you do not have existing test scores:

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

Sign up for Testing Learn More

Cost and Financial Aid

  • Tuition
    • Varies
  • Application fee
    • Nonrefundable Application Fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
    • Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only)

CTY Financial Aid Availability for Online Programs

Academic Year 2025-26 (Course start dates July 1, 2025- June 30, 2026): Financial Aid funding is currently available for all eligible students while funding lasts. If interested in applying for financial aid, please select a course with start date of July 1, 2025, or later.

Learn More

Course Materials

Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].
 

Families will be notified by email of any required materials one week prior to the course start date.

Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

About Science and Engineering at CTY

Our Science and Engineering courses bring a variety of science topics to life. By introducing topics not covered in standard science curricula, we build and reinforce your science knowledge. All courses support critical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning, and encourage a real-life, hands-on approach to learning about Earth, space, life sciences, chemistry, and the physical world. Guided by expert CTY science educators, you’ll master science lab kits, perform hands-on experiments using common household objects, participate in dynamic group discussions, or prepare for AP exams.

More engaging science enrichment courses!

In the newly revised Inventions in Engineering course, students bring fantasy into reality by creating inventions to solve the problems of favorite fictional characters and the real world alike. A new unit in Introduction to Forensics asks students to evaluate the validity of various kinds of forensic evidence and its impact on the lives of individuals, and to provide recommendations on which types of forensic evidence should be admissible in the criminal justice system. In Household Chemistry, students engage in newly revised activities that help develop their skills in making and recording detailed observations using all 5 senses as they explore states of matter and the role chemistry plays in their daily lives.

Meet our Science and Engineering Instructors