Bioengineering
- BE-BOAT Courses
- BE-ROW Course
- BE-SHIP Courses
Bioengineering Broad Overview and Techniques (BE-BOAT)
The Bioengineering Broad Overview and Techniques (BE-BOAT) courses provide students with a comprehensive introduction to core scientific and engineering principles in bioengineering, complemented by hands-on experience using custom lab kits, pre-lab planning, data analysis, and post-lab discussions. These courses not only build foundational skills in experimental design and interpretation but also serve as preparation for advanced research opportunities through the Bioengineering Research (BE-ROW) course.Quarter Dates, Schedules, and Deadlines
BioImaging & 3D Printing (BI3DP) - Live Online - Winter 2026
This course is part of the BE-BOAT series. Students must take a BE-BOAT course prior to moving forward with BE-ROW.
- Dates: January 10, 2026 to March 1, 2026
- Units: 3.00 Pre-College units, 90000 level
- Open to: 9th-12th grade students
- Application: Click here to apply!
- Application Deadline: December 18, 2025
- Payment Deadline: Payment is due within two weeks of acceptance. For students accepted after December 18th, payment is due by January 1st.
- Course Delivery: Live Online
- Tuition: $2,700
- Location: Zoom (Online)
Disclaimer: Zoom sessions are subject to being recorded. Recorded Zoom sessions will not be shared with students outside the course. - Schedule:
- Survey will be sent out to enrolled participants to determine schedule availability
- 2 hour lecture and discussion
- 1-2 office hours
- 3-6 hours of homework
- Instructor: Professor Robert L. Sah
The fields of biomedical imaging and 3D printing are undergoing rapid advancement, transforming both research and clinical applications. In this course, students will acquire:
- Practical, hands-on skills in biomedical imaging and 3D printing.
- Foundational knowledge of how these technologies are applied within the biological sciences and biomedical engineering.
In addition, students will explore:
- The acquisition and storage of two-dimensional and three-dimensional biological image data.
- Methods for visualizing this data.
- Techniques for manipulating digital images.
- Processes for converting both simple designs and complex biomedical images into 3D printable models.
Working within a home-based “lab” environment, students will complete guided exercises, including the remote 3D printing of anatomical plates and medical models. Each laboratory session will be accompanied by instruction in the fundamentals of image analysis, as well as opportunities for students to discuss and present their findings, fostering both technical competence and scientific communication skills.
BioImaging & 3D Printing (BI3DP) - Live Online - Summer 2026
This course is part of the BE-BOAT series. Students must take a BE-BOAT course prior to moving forward with BE-ROW.
- Dates: June 29, 2026 to July 9, 2026
- Units: 3.00 Pre-College units, 90000 level
- Open to: 9th-12th grade students
- Application: Click here to apply!
- Application Deadline: May 8, 2026
- Payment Deadline: Payment is due within two weeks of acceptance. For students accepted after May 8th, payment is due by May 22nd.
- Course Delivery: Live Online
- Tuition: $2,700
- Location: Zoom (Online)
Disclaimer: Zoom sessions are subject to being recorded. Recorded Zoom sessions will not be shared with students outside the course. - Schedule (Subject to Change):
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursdays - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. PT. Recordings will be available to make up for occasional missed sessions
- Instructor: Professor Robert L. Sah
The fields of biomedical imaging and 3D printing are undergoing rapid advancement, transforming both research and clinical applications. In this course, students will acquire:
- Practical, hands-on skills in biomedical imaging and 3D printing.
- Foundational knowledge of how these technologies are applied within the biological sciences and biomedical engineering.
In addition, students will explore:
- The acquisition and storage of two-dimensional and three-dimensional biological image data.
- Methods for visualizing this data.
- Techniques for manipulating digital images.
- Processes for converting both simple designs and complex biomedical images into 3D printable models.
Working within a home-based “lab” environment, students will complete guided exercises, including the remote 3D printing of anatomical plates and medical models. Each laboratory session will be accompanied by instruction in the fundamentals of image analysis, as well as opportunities for students to discuss and present their findings, fostering both technical competence and scientific communication skills.
BioMechanics & MechanoBiology (BMMB) - Live Online OR In-Person - Summer 2026
This course is part of the BE-BOAT series. Students must take a BE-BOAT course prior to moving forward with BE-ROW.
- Dates: June 8, 2026 to June 12, 2026
- Units: 3.00 Pre-College units, 90000 level
- Open to: 9th-12th grade students
- Application: Click here to apply!
- Application Deadline: May 8, 2026
- Payment Deadline: Payment is due within two weeks of acceptance. For students accepted after May 8th, payment is due by May 22nd.
- Course Delivery: Live Online and In-Person
- Tuition: $1,300 (Online), $1,450 (In Person)
- Location: Zoom (Online)
Disclaimer: Zoom sessions are subject to being recorded. Recorded Zoom sessions will not be shared with students outside the course. -
Schedule: Students can expect 30 hours of work every week. Each day (M-F) at the times listed (Pacific Time) Online students will join via zoom. Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
- 9:00AM - 12:00PM and 1:00PM - 4:00PM - lecture, discussion, activity, and work sessions
- 12:00PM - 1:00PM - break, provide your own lunch
**There is no/minimal planned homework as there is time during the daily sessions for completing the group and individual work.
In this course, at UCSD (limited spots anticipated) or in their home "lab", students will perform experiments on load-supporting skeletal structures including dissection of the knee, and biomechanical testing of models and tissues (bone, ligament, tendon, meniscus, and cartilage). Following each day’s lab session, students will be guided through fundamentals of biomedical data analysis, discussion, and presentation of their findings. After BMMB, students will have core skills and knowledge of how mammals move and bear load in health, injury, and disease. Those interested in exploring careers in bioengineering, biology, medicine, surgery, dentistry, or pharmacology are encouraged to apply.
Mammalian Cell and Tissue Culture (MCTC) - Live Online OR In-Person - Summer 2026
This course is part of the BE-BOAT series. Students must take a BE-BOAT course prior to moving forward with BE-ROW.
- Dates: June 15, 2026 to June 26, 2026
- Units: 3.00 Pre-College units, 90000 level
- Open to: 9th-12th grade students
- Application: Click here to apply!
- Application Deadline: May 8, 2026
- Payment Deadline: Payment is due within two weeks of acceptance. For students accepted after May 8th, payment is due by May 22nd.
- Course Delivery: Live Online and In-Person
- Tuition: $2,600 (Online), $2,900 (In Person)
- Location: Zoom (Online)
Disclaimer: Zoom sessions are subject to being recorded. Recorded Zoom sessions will not be shared with students outside the course. -
Schedule: Students can expect 30 hours of work every week. Each day (M-F) at the times listed (Pacific Time) Online students will join via zoom. Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
- 9:00AM - 12:00PM and 1:00PM - 4:00PM - lecture, discussion, activity, and work sessions
- 12:00PM - 1:00PM - break, provide your own lunch
**There is no/minimal planned homework as there is time during the daily sessions for completing the group and individual work.
In this course, students will engage in hands-on training within their home-based laboratory environment to develop foundational skills in mammalian cell and tissue culture, alongside a comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles and applications underlying these techniques. Specifically, students will learn to:
- Plan, prepare, and administer solutions to support the propagation of mammalian cells and the cultivation of tissues.
- Visualize and capture digital microscopy images of cultured cells and tissues.
- Interpret biochemical assays to quantify cellular and tissue growth.
- Analyze both qualitative and quantitative data using an integrative approach.
Participants will gain experience with standard laboratory equipment commonly used in academic and industry settings, including micropipettes, serological pipettes, culture plates, and digital light microscopes. Through this training, students will acquire core competencies in mammalian cell and tissue culture, which are essential for investigating the mechanisms and potential treatments for diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, myocardial infarction, diabetes, osteoporosis, and arthritis. Moreover, these skills form a critical foundation for further study in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, as well as Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.
Other Program Information
Students will need:
Computer and a cell phone, each with internet access, camera, microphone, audio output, web browser, and Zoom software.
Fees, Eligibility, and Laboratory Kit Requirements for Remote Participants:
UC San Diego Research Scholars Bioengineering program is a self-supported program that does not receive any State or Federal funding. As a result, we are unable to offer financial aid, grants, or scholarships to our program participants currently.
Students enrolled in the home lab (online) format will receive laboratory kits shipped directly to their designated address; these kits are included in the tuition fee and may be provided on a loan basis. To remain in good standing and maintain eligibility for future UC San Diego Research Scholars programs, all loaned materials must be returned promptly upon course completion. Students should also anticipate an estimated out-of-pocket cost of approximately $50 for locally sourced miscellaneous supplies.
International applicants are advised that additional shipping fees may apply. Furthermore, due to customs regulations in certain countries, some students may encounter restrictions that prevent the delivery of required materials. Nevertheless, all interested applicants are encouraged to apply, as individual circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility Criteria – Grade Level and Age Requirements:
Applicants must be current high school students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. For enrollment in online courses, students must be at least 14 years of age by the start date of the course. For participation in in-person courses, students must be at least 15 years of age by the commencement of the program.
Fall, Winter and Spring Cancellation/Refund Policies:
Fall, Winter, and Spring
- Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason prior to one week before the start date (request must be sent with a minimum of 7 days in advance) will receive a full refund
- Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason within the week prior to the start date (7 days before the start date) will receive 50% refund
- Refunds for cancellation or withdrawal once the course has already started will only be issued for serious illness (doctor's certificate is required) or extenuating circumstances only. Tuition is not refunded for students who are dismissed from the program or who leave because of homesickness, behavioral issues, or failure to comply with covid policies.
- For courses with pre-requisites of a prior course and/or instructor permission, a full refund will be provided if continuation is not allowed.
All refund requests must be made in writing to Anais Perez, Program Manager, UC San Diego Pre-College Programs at: precollege@ucsd.edu. You will receive a confirmation of your request. Refunds will take approximately 4-6 weeks to process. Refunds are issued in the same method of payment (check or charge) of payment to UC Regents.
Summer Cancellation/Refund Policies:
Summer
- Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason 6 weeks prior to the start date will receive a full refund
- Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason 4 weeks prior to the start date will receive 50% refund
- Refunds for cancellation or withdrawal within 4 weeks prior to the start of the program will only be issued for serious illness (doctor's certificate is required) or extenuating circumstances only. Tuition is not refunded for students who are dismissed from the program or who leave because of homesickness.
- For courses with pre-requisites of a prior course and/or instructor permission, a full refund will be provided if continuation is not allowed.
All refund requests must be made in writing to Anais Perez, Program Manager, UC San Diego Pre-College Programs at: precollege@ucsd.edu. You will receive a confirmation of your request. Refunds will take approximately 4-6 weeks to process. Refunds are issued in the same method of payment (check or charge) of payment to UC Regents.