Bioengineering
- BE-BOAT Courses
- BE-ROW Course
- BE-SHIP Courses
BioEngineering Research Orientation Workshop (BE-ROW)
In the BioEngineering Research Orientation Workshop (BE-ROW) course, students collaborate with active researchers and work in teams to design and carry out a bioengineering research or design investigation from their home “lab,” building on foundational knowledge from a BE-BOAT course or by permission. Through structured project experiences in areas such as BioMechanics, BioImaging, and Tissue Engineering, students engage in the full research process—from literature review and study design to data analysis, scientific writing, and presentation.
Quarter Dates, Schedules, and Deadlines
Introduction to Bioengineering Research (BEI2R) - Live Online - Spring 2026
REQUIRED PREREQUISITE: Completion of BE-BOAT course. Students may also apply to both BE-BOAT and BE-ROW concurrently; however, admission into BE-ROW is contingent upon the successful completion of the associated BE-BOAT course.
- Dates: April 4, 2026 to May 24, 2026 (Spring 2026)
- Units: 3.00 Pre-College units, 90000 level
- Open to: 9th-12th grade students
- Application: Click here to apply!
- Application Deadline: March 5, 2026
- Payment Deadline: Payment is due within two weeks of acceptance. For students accepted after March 5th, payment is due by March 20th.
- Course Delivery: Live Online
- Tuition: $2,600
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of one BE-BOAT course or instructor's permission.
Students may also apply to both BE-BOAT and BE-ROW concurrently; however, admission into BE-ROW is contingent upon the successful completion of the associated BE-BOAT course. -
Spring Schedule - Students can expect 4-8 hours of work every week (for 8 weeks).
*weekend: 2 hour meetings. Bioengineering department will send out surveys for schedule availability.
*homework: 2-6 hrs - Instructor: Professor Robert L. Sah
What distinguishes research in Bioengineering from traditional research in biology or technology development in other engineering disciplines? This course offers students the opportunity to explore that question through a guided, team-based biomedical engineering research or design project conducted from their home-based “lab.” BEI²R builds upon foundational knowledge gained through a BE-BOAT course or by instructor permission.
Students will collaborate with active researchers and engage in the full research cycle, including literature review, problem definition, bioengineering modeling, study design, experimental data acquisition, results analysis and interpretation, scientific writing, and formal presentation of findings. A range of pre-defined research topics will be available in areas such as BioMechanics, BioImaging, 3D Printing, MechanoBiology, Tissue Engineering, and Regenerative Medicine, with project assignments based on student interests.
Introduction to Bioengineering Research (BEI2R) - Live Online - Summer 2026
REQUIRED PREREQUISITE: Completion of BE-BOAT course. Students may also apply to both BE-BOAT and BE-ROW concurrently; however, admission into BE-ROW is contingent upon the successful completion of the associated BE-BOAT course.
- Dates: July 13, 2026 to August 7, 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: $2,600
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of one BE-BOAT course or instructor's permission.
Students may also apply to both BE-BOAT and BE-ROW concurrently; however, admission into BE-ROW is contingent upon the successful completion of the associated BE-BOAT course. - Summer Schedule: Students can expect 15-20 hours of work every week (for 4 weeks)
- M,W,F 12n-1p - 3 hours lecture and discussion - live zoom sessions
- Tu, Th 9a-12n - 6 hours of live office hours with program assistants
- 6-11 hours of homework
- Instructor: Professor Robert L. Sah
What distinguishes research in Bioengineering from traditional research in biology or technology development in other engineering disciplines? This course offers students the opportunity to explore that question through a guided, team-based biomedical engineering research or design project conducted from their home-based “lab.” BEI²R builds upon foundational knowledge gained through a BE-BOAT course or by instructor permission.
Students will collaborate with active researchers and engage in the full research cycle, including literature review, problem definition, bioengineering modeling, study design, experimental data acquisition, results analysis and interpretation, scientific writing, and formal presentation of findings. A range of pre-defined research topics will be available in areas such as BioMechanics, BioImaging, 3D Printing, MechanoBiology, Tissue Engineering, and Regenerative Medicine, with project assignments based on student interests.
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.