10 Biology Pre-College Programs for High School Students
For students interested in biology, pre-college programs are a great way to dive deeper into the field. These programs are designed to help high school students go beyond their classroom learning and gain a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of biology. Furthermore, participating in pre-college programs shows college admissions committees that you are passionate about the subject and are committed to going above and beyond to learn more.
To help you get started, we have put together a list of 10 pre-college biology programs for high school students!
Location: Harvard University Campus
Cost: $5,550
Program Dates: Session I - 24 June to 5 July; Session II - 8 July to 19 July
Application Deadline: January (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students
Harvard's Pre-College Molecular Oncology course is designed for students who have a basic understanding of cancer biology and are keen on gaining a comprehensive understanding of lab experiments. The course focuses on molecular pathways and biomolecular techniques that are used particularly in cancer research labs.
The program starts off with an explanation of cancer as a disease and then moves into the details of molecular pathways that exist in oncology along with techniques used in research. As a participant, you will examine specific histological and biochemical tools that have aided advancements in the field. You’ll get a chance to explore the different biomolecular techniques developed to monitor the cell cycle progression, DNA replication, genes, and protein expression. The final part of the course consists of a problem-based case study designed to help students understand how biomolecular techniques influence cancer medicine.
2. Stanford Online Pre-College Topics in Bioscience
Location: Online
Cost: $3,050
Program Dates: June 17 - June 28 or July 8 - July 19, 2024
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: 8-11th grade students
If you are interested in biology and its related fields, this program is a great fit for you. Through the program, you’ll explore different topics across biomedical sciences like biology, anatomy, physiology, and more. You will build a strong foundation in these essential areas which will in turn prepare you to dive deeper into fields like medicine, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering, and epidemiology.
Along with this, you will also explore how gas exchange occurs in the lungs, the response of our heart and blood vessels to changes in oxygenation, how genetic material turns into proteins, and the relationship between mRNA and vaccine development. Finally, this course will expose you to some of the most important epidemiological and clinical research methods that are key to any research in human subjects. You will get a chance to learn through live lectures, asynchronous assignments, small group learning activities, and conclude with a final collaborative, group project.
3. Johns Hopkins University Introduction to Experimental Design in Biology
Location: Johns Hopkins University Campus
Cost: $1,950
Program Dates: June 24 - July 4, 2024
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible
The Introduction to Experimental Design in Biology course at Johns Hopkins University is a great opportunity for you if you are interested in biology and want to understand the ins and outs of scientific research. This course is designed to help students understand what it means to “design” an experiment. You will get a chance to learn how scientists plan their experimental approaches to test different hypotheses and provide informative results.
As a participant, you will have the opportunity to try your hand at designing and carrying out experiments to test hypotheses. You will also gain exposure to a lab setting and the various elements and tools that go into running a successful experiment. The course offers hands-on experience in various techniques used in molecular biology labs such as gel electrophoresis, PCR, and gene expression. Furthermore, this course will help you develop your critical thinking and analytical skills as you build on the foundations of biology and experimental designs.
4. Yale Young Global Scholars: Innovations in Science & Technology
Location: Yale Campus
Cost: $6,500
Application Deadline: January (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from June-August
Eligibility: At least 16 years old, A current sophomore or junior (or any international equivalent), and a first-time participant
Innovations in Science & Technology (IST) is designed for students curious about various topics in the STEM fields. Through this course, students explore a wide variety of scientific fields such as physics, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, neuroscience, immunology, psychology, earth sciences, and more. You also gain exposure to interdisciplinary applications across the many fields, ranging from nanoscopic to the astronomical scale.
In this program, you are challenged to think about the world and examine it as a scientist as you build your critical and analytical thinking skills. While the program is a great introduction to various fields in STEM, it emphasizes the importance of teamwork and helping you learn how to collaborate effectively to become scientists. Furthermore, you get to participate in seminars offered as part of the course such as “Design Thinking for Innovation”, “Can We Regenerate the Brain?”, “Can I Edit My Own Genes” and more!
5. Georgetown Pre-College Online Program in Biology
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795 (without credits) & $3,495 (with credits)
Program Dates: 1, 2, 4, and 6 week sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
Georgetown’s pre-college program is designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of basic biological concepts. Through the program, you will learn how to analyze why and how cells organize their contents, be able to compare old scientific theories against newer ones, discuss ideas of scientific epistemology, and more.
The program covers the basics of cells and their structures and helps students apply the basic principles of chemistry and physics to explain the limitations on the size and shape of cells. You will get a chance to dive into microscopy – a critical tool to see and study cells. As you move through the course, you will learn about recent discoveries that have changed the understanding of cell organization, especially in terms of their function and their relationship with illnesses. As a conclusion to the program, students will engage in a capstone project to demonstrate what they have learned.
6. Brown Pre-College: Genetics, Epigenetics, and Human Behavior
Location: Brown University Campus
Cost: $7038
Program Dates: July 1 - July 12, 2024
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: All high school students (completion of high school biology course is recommended)
In Brown University’s Pre College course on Genetics, Epigenetics, and Human Behavior, you will have the opportunity to explore the evolving field of behavioral genetics. The course covers a range of topics such as personality, substance abuse, mental health, and sexuality. Through the course, you will be introduced to real-world examples and research findings in these areas.
As a participant in the program, you will develop a multi-disciplinary way of thinking about how genetics and epigenetics influence psychiatric and behavioral phenotypes, learn how to decode literature research articles, and learn molecular lab techniques for DNA extraction, quantification, amplification, and allele calling using your own DNA. The course places an emphasis on catering to different learning styles and includes a mix of discussions, hands-on lab work, group work, and individual research projects.
7. Johns Hopkins University (CTY) - Fast Paced High School Biology
Location: Various locations in California, New York, and Pennsylvania
Cost: $5,799 - $6,819 (depending on location & whether you opt for the residential/commuter program)
Program Dates: Multiple dates from June - August
Application Deadline: May 24, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students grade 8 and above who have taken advanced math
The Center for Talented Youth (CTY) at Johns Hopkins University offers a fast paced high school Biology course for academically advanced high school students to dive into the intricacies of biological sciences. This program goes beyond the regular high school curriculum and aims to guide students through an intensive exploration of genetics, evolution, and ecology.
The course starts off with the basics of biology and moves on to biochemistry, genetics, and cellular processes, and helps students understand how to integrate these concepts into studies of evolution and systems of living things. You will engage with lectures, reading material, and lab work. This is a great fit for students who are looking to pursue biology in university as a career path given that it helps you develop intellectual curiosity and build your collaborative skills, and critical & analytical thinking.
8. Columbia Pre-College - Modern Biology & Its Real World Applications
Location: Columbia University Campus
Cost: $2,700 (1-week program); $6,100 (3-week program)
Program Dates: Multiple dates from June - August
Application Deadline: June 6, 2024
Eligibility: High school students
Columbia University’s pre-college program on modern biology and its applications is designed to help students explore the basic elements of molecular biology, genetics, and evolution. Students delve into how these areas affect modern medicine, agriculture, and ecology. The course starts by introducing students to the structure, function, and synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins.
As you move through the course, you will learn how to apply the information to a range of topics such as modern biological research techniques, data interpretation, genetic engineering, immunology, cancer, and virology. You will also explore topics related to bioethics, the biology of global warming, and the connection of modern biology to fields like anthropology, history, and economics. Students will learn through a variety of online video, group activities, and virtual labs.
9. University of Chicago - Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS)
Location: University of Chicago Campus
Cost: $14,000
Program Dates: June 13 - July 15, 2024
Application Deadline: January (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th grade students who have completed one year of school biology
University of Chicago’s RIBS program is a 4-week intensive training program that exposes students to a broad range of molecular, microbiological, and cell biological techniques that are used in research labs. As a participant, you will gain extensive research experience and engage in hands-on projects.
Students start the course by learning about basic lab techniques and move on to learning about the applications of current molecular techniques in cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, and cancer biology. The last 2 weeks of the program are dedicated to students working on their individual projects. Typically, students spend a lot of their time in labs, attending lectures, and conducting supervised experiments. The course concludes with a research forum where students present the results of their individual projects.
10. Duke University - Healthcare Professions and Modern Medicine
Location: Duke University Campus
Cost: Residential - $1,400 + $750 room & meal fee; Commuter - $1,400 + $125 meal fee
Program Dates: Session I - June 30 to July 5, 2024; July 21 to July 26, 2024
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students grade 9-11
Duke University’s course on healthcare professions and modern healthcare is a good fit for students who want to understand the work that healthcare professionals supplement each other and work together. As a participant in the program, you enhance your knowledge of professional opportunities in healthcare and medicine while simultaneously exploring health indicators that impact society’s well-being.
You will get a chance to learn from guest speakers from Duke University Medical Center, and other healthcare professionals. This gives you the opportunity to understand the principles of healthcare from social, environmental, and community health perspectives and concerns. You also get to experience life at Duke and tour their laboratories and medical facilities.
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