Bioengineering
APPLICATIONS FOR WINTER 2026 IS NOW AVAILABLE!- Follow this link to receive notifications about future program offerings.
The UC San Diego Department of Bioengineering, in collaboration with UC San Diego Extended Studies, offers a series of engaging courses designed for high school students interested in exploring the field of bioengineering. These courses emphasize experiential learning through interactive, hands-on laboratory activities.
Students typically progress through the sequence beginning with BE-BOAT, followed by BE-ROW, and culminating in BE-SHIP. However, students who demonstrate exceptional performance in BE-BOAT may request to advance directly to BE-SHIP.
Students will need:
- Access to a computer and cell phone. Computers and cell phones will need internet access, a camera, a microphone, audio input and output, and Zoom software.
The courses will include live instructional sessions scheduled on both weekdays and weekends. To accommodate students with scheduling conflicts, recorded sessions will be made available to ensure continued access to course content. In addition, weekly work sessions with instructional assistants will be offered at flexible times to provide individualized academic support.
To maintain a low student-to-instructor ratio and ensure a high-quality learning experience, enrollment in each course is limited. Given that many courses have reached capacity in previous years, early application is strongly recommended for priority consideration.
For inquiries, please email:
- Administrative inquiries: precollege@ucsd.edu
- Course inquiries: bextship@ucsd.edu
Please note: The Research Scholars Summer program will operate exclusively as a commuter program. As such, housing, transportation, and meal accommodations will not be provided. Prospective applicants, including those residing outside the San Diego area or internationally, are welcome to apply provided they are able to independently manage all necessary logistical arrangements.
I. 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.
*Students are encouraged to apply to one or more courses; a separate application must be submitted for each 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.
BioEngineering Broad Overview and Techniques (BE-BOAT)
BioImaging & 3D Printing (BI3DP)
- 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.
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.
II.BE-ROW
In this 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.
BioEngineering Research Orientation Workshop (BE-ROW)
Introduction to Bioengineering Research (BEI2R)
- Dates: Summer 2026 dates will be released in January.
- Units: 3.00 Pre-College units, 90000 level
- Open to: 9th-12th grade students
- Application: CLOSED
- Application Deadline: Closed
- Payment Deadline: Closed
- Course Delivery: Online
- Tuition: $2,600
- Prerequisite: Successful completion of one BE-BOAT course or instructor's permission.
- Schedule:
- Students can expect 15-20 hours of in-class work each week in addition to six to 11 hours of homework.
- Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. PT - three live-online hours of lecture and discussion.
- Tuesdays, Thursdays: 9 a.m. to Noon PT - six live-online office hours with program assistants.
- 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.
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:
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.
III. BE-SHIP
The Bioengineering Scholar High School Internship Project (BE-SHIP) provides high school students with the opportunity to independently propose, execute, and present a bioengineering research project in collaboration with a university research laboratory. Structured around the Bioengineering Research Project (BERP) sequence—comprising a proposal phase followed by a research and reporting phase—the program supports a range of academic goals: Fall and Winter sessions are particularly aligned with preparation for science and engineering fairs, while Spring and Summer sessions are intended to support advanced students in refining their research for conference abstracts, manuscripts, or other scholarly outputs.
BioEngineering Scholar High School Internship Project (BE-SHIP)
BioEngineering Research Project A – Proposal (BERP-A)
- Dates: October 4, 2025 - November 22, 2025
- Units: 3.00 Pre-College units, 90000 level
- Open to: 9th-12th grade students
- Application: CLOSED
- Application Deadline: September 13, 2025
- Payment Deadline: Payment is due within two weeks of acceptance. For students accepted after September 13, payment is due by September 26.
- Course Delivery: Online
- Tuition: $2,600
- Prerequisite: Completion of BE-BOAT course AND BE-ROW course. Enrollment must also be approved by the instructor. Please email bextship@ucsd.edu for further information.
- Schedule:
- Survey will be sent out to enrolled participants to determine schedule availability
- 1 hour lecture and discussion - live zoom sessions
- 1 hour lab meeting
- 3-6 hours of homework
- Instructor: Professor Robert L. Sah
Plan a Bioengineering Research Project: In this preparatory course, students collaborate with a bioengineering research laboratory to develop a design- or science-focused internship project suitable for execution in the following academic quarter. Building upon foundational knowledge acquired through a prerequisite BE-BOAT course, students will engage in a structured process that includes literature review, problem or research question definition, study design, and preliminary pilot studies. The resulting research proposal may be tailored to support applications to science and engineering fairs or other scholarly venues.
Fees, Eligibility, and Laboratory Kit Requirements for Remote Participants:
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.
BioEngineering Research Project B – Research (BERP-B)
- 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: Online or Hybrid
- Tuition: $2,600 (Online), $3,000 (Hybrid) in addition to a potential $500 lab fee.
- Pre-Requisite: Completion of BE-BOAT, BE-ROW and BERP-A. Enrollment must also be approved by the instructor. Please email bextship@ucsd.edu for further information.
- Schedule:
- Students can expect 6-10 hours of in-class work each week in addition to three to six hours of homework.
- Classtime consists of lectures, discussions, and lab meetings. Weekly times will be based around a student's availability.
- Instructor: Professor Robert L. Sah
Conduct a Bioengineering Research Project: In this course, students will implement their proposed research project through active experimentation and data acquisition, with potential support from a collaborating research laboratory. Students will analyze and interpret their findings, develop a scientific abstract and research paper, and prepare a formal presentation of their work. Projects may be structured to align with the requirements of science and engineering fair submissions or other academic presentation formats.
Fees, Eligibility, and Laboratory Kit Requirements for Remote Participants:
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.
BioEngineering Summer High School Internship Program (BE-SHSP)
- Dates: Summer 2026 dates coming Winter 2025!
- Units: 12.00 Pre-College units, 90000 level
- Open to: 9th-12th grade students
- Application: Please email bextship@ucsd.edu to request to be admitted to the course.
- Application Deadline: Please email bextship@ucsd.edu to request to be admitted to the course.
- Payment Deadline: Closed
- Course Delivery: Hybrid
- Tuition: Please contact precollege@ucsd.edu
- Prerequisite: BERP-B or BE-I2R, AND Instructor's approval.
- Schedule:
- Students can expect 120 hours of participation and work.
- Instructor: Professor Robert L. Sah
This competitive summer internship program offers rising high school students a state-of-the-art research experience within the field of Bioengineering. Over the course of eight weeks, students will be integrated into cutting-edge research laboratories at UC San Diego, working under the guidance of a laboratory mentor and faculty investigator on projects spanning from early-stage scientific discovery to applied biomedical development. Research topics may include molecular, cellular, and tissue-level investigations, with applications related to musculoskeletal diseases such as sports injuries, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and skeletal dysplasias. In addition to hands-on research, participants will gain a broad overview of the field through specialized lectures, site visits to local biotechnology and biomedical engineering companies, and career pathway discussions led by leading experts in the
Fees, Eligibility, and Laboratory Kit Requirements for Remote Participants:
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.
Other Program Information
Application
- Application: Click here to apply!
- Application Deadline: Space is limited, and students will be accepted on a rolling basis. All applications for Research Scholars: Bioengineering will close on December 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Applications are subject to closing earlier should the program meet its enrollment capacity.
Acceptance
Program and enrollment information will be emailed to all students accepted into the program 7-10 business days after application is submitted.
FAQs
What are 90000 level pre-college units?
Are award of completion certificates available?
How do I request an official/unofficial transcript?
How do I access my grade report?
What are 90000 level pre-college units?
Courses numbered 90000-99999 are non-credit-bearing, pre-college-level courses designed to provide an opportunity for students to explore academic interests or prepare for college admission. Research Scholars pre-college units may be transferable for secondary school credit at the discretion of the receiving institution. Students should discuss the transferability of individual courses with the registrar of their secondary school prior to enrolling.
Are award of completion certificates available?
Award of completion certificates are not available for the courses. However, students are welcome to request a transcript or downloand and print their grade report by logging in your MyExtension here.
How do I request an official/unofficial transcript?
For instructions on how to order and pay for an official/unofficial transcript, please click here. If you’ve never ordered transcripts through Parchment before, you will need to register for a Parchment account. Details can be found from the link above. All transcripts will be printed and delivered by one of the methods listed here. Transcript requests are processed by Student Services. Should you have any questions, please contact them at unex-reg@ucsd.edu.
Please note that when grades are not yet posted for the current term, you can still request an official transcript by selecting the "Hold for current quarter grades" option on the transcript request form, which instructs Student Services to wait to send the transcript until all current grades are officially posted to your academic record. This process ensures the transcript reflects your most up-to-date academic performance before it is sent to the requested recipient.
You can also view/download your grade report by logging in your MyExtension here without needing to make a payment.
How do I access my grade report?
Your final grade reports will be available in MyExtension within three weeks after the last day of class. For current blended, hybrid or online courses, you can access grades for individual assignments through Canvas or by contacting your instructor.
Cancellation/Refund Policies (FALL-SPRING)
Cancellation and Refund Policy for Fall, Winter, and Spring Courses:
- Cancellation or withdrawal requests submitted at least two weeks prior to the course start date will receive a full refund.
- Cancellations made within seven days of the course start date will receive a 50% refund.
- Tuition will not be refunded for students who are dismissed from the program or who withdraw due to homesickness, behavioral concerns, or failure to adhere to program policies.
- For courses with prerequisites and/or instructor approval requirements, a full refund will be issued if the student is not approved to continue.
Cancellation/Refund Policies (SUMMER)
Cancellation and Refund Policy for Summer:
- Cancellation or withdrawal requests submitted at least six weeks prior to the course start date will receive a full refund.
- Cancellations made within four weeks of the course start date will receive a 50% refund.
- Tuition will not be refunded for students who are dismissed from the program or who withdraw due to homesickness, behavioral concerns, or failure to adhere to program policies.
- For courses with prerequisites and/or instructor approval requirements, a full refund will be issued if the student is not approved to continue.
Requests must be sent to precollege@ucsd.edu. Refunds will take approximately four to six weeks for process.
Awards & Testimonials
Awards our Students Have Received:
- International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management: Awardee
- California Science & Engineering Fair: Awardee and Nominee
- Regional Science & Engineering Fair: Special Awards
- "I loved working in the lab and gaining exposure to what it's like to be a student researcher!"
- "My PI spent many meetings helping me with my presentation and overseeing my research. My mentors were so patient and allowed me to slowly become independent in the research."
- "My mentors were extremely thoughtful, deliberate, and nice in guiding my project and making it an immersive learning experience."