Institute of Engineering in Medicine

Fundamentals of Neurosciences: Health and Disease

• Program Dates: July 21, 2025 to August 8, 2025
• Units: 3.00 Pre-College units, 9000 level
• Open to: 9th-12th grade students
• Application: Click here to apply!
• Application Deadline: July 11, 2025
• Payment Deadline: Closed
• Course Delivery: Live Online
• Tuition: $2,700
• Schedule: 
  • Students can expect 30 hours of work with minimal to no homework.
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PT
• Instructor: Professor Chengbiao Wu

What sets humans apart from other species is the complexity of our cognitive abilities. This course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of neuroscience, exploring the unique structure and function of the human brain and its nerve cells (neurons). Students will examine neuroscience from the molecular and cellular levels to the organization of neuronal circuits that underlie critical functions such as pain perception, emotion, empathy, and memory. The course will also address major neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as peripheral nervous system conditions.​

• Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity and organization of the human nervous system.
• Explain the fundamental structure and function of neurons.
• Describe the organization and function of neuronal circuits and their role in behavior and cognition.
• Analyze major theories and hypotheses related to the mechanisms of neurodegeneration.
• Articulate the significance of neuroprotection and the biological rationale behind protective strategies.

• An introduction to the foundational principles of neurobiology.
• Examination of neuronal samples and the anatomical structure of the brain.
• Discussion and critical analysis of leading theories and hypotheses surrounding neurodegenerative diseases.
• A guided demonstration of rodent brain dissection for comparative anatomical study.
• Development of original hypotheses concerning the potential causes of Alzheimer’s disease.

​Introduction to Cell Biology and Imaging Processing Techniques

• Program Dates: August 4, 2025 to August 8, 2025
• Units: 3.00 Pre-College units, 9000 level
• Open to: 9th-12th grade students
• Application: Click here to apply!
• Application Deadline: Closed
• Course Delivery: Live Online
• Tuition: $2,700
• Schedule:
  • Students can expect 30 hours of work. 
  • Mondays & Fridays - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PT
  • Lunch break is scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. PT
• Instructor: Professor Chengbiao Wu

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles of cell biology, with an emphasis on microscopy and image processing techniques. Students will examine the structure and function of cells while gaining insight into the imaging technologies commonly employed in contemporary biological research.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Explain the fundamental structure and function of cells.

• Identify and describe the roles of various cellular organelles, as well as the stages of the cell cycle and the process of mitosis.

• Analyze how cellular dysfunction contributes to the onset and progression of disease, and understand how researchers investigate cellular mechanisms to develop diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

• Explore foundational imaging techniques utilized in cell biology research.

• Develop introductory skills in image processing and quantitative image analysis.

Course Topics

• Overview of Cell Theory and classification of cell types

• Structure and function of cells, including an introduction to organelles

• The cell cycle and the process of mitosis

• Mechanisms of apoptosis and programmed cell death

• Cellular dysfunction and its implications in disease

• Introduction to calcium signaling in diseased cells (brief overview)

• Types of microscopes: light, electron, and fluorescence microscopy

• Techniques in sample preparation for biological imaging

• Introduction to image processing software

• Fundamentals of quantitative image analysis