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Institute of Engineering in Medicine

APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2025 ARE NOW CLOSED. 

  • Follow this link to receive notifications about future program offerings.
  • For inquiries, please contact precollege@ucsd.edu.
The following programs are developed in collaboration with faculty from the UC San Diego Institute of Engineering in Medicine and are intended for high school students who are passionate about advancing scientific discovery. These programs aim to empower students to explore the translation of cutting-edge research into innovative technologies and therapeutic solutions that have the potential to revolutionize patient care and enhance human health and well-being.

Fundamentals of Neurosciences: Health and Disease - ONLINE

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.

Learning Outcomes: 
  • 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.
Course Topics: 
  • 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

​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 

Other Program Information

Application

  • Application: Click here to apply!
  • Application Deadline:
    • Fundamentals of Neurosciences: Health and Disease: July 11, 2025
    • ​Introduction to Cell Biology and Imaging Processing Techniques: Closed

FAQs

Who can apply? 
Can international students attend?
Where is the course located? 
How do I request a transcript? 
Is financial aid available? 

 

Who can apply? 
Students in grades 8 through 12, as well as community college students with a strong interest and enthusiasm for STEM disciplines, are encouraged to apply.

Can international students attend? 
Yes. 

Where is the course located? 
This course is delivered entirely online, with all sessions conducted live via Zoom.

How do I request a transcript? 

We are proud to partner with Parchment to offer you a secure way to order your transcript online. It's quick, easy to use, and available 24/7. 

If you've never ordered transcripts through Parchment before, you will need to register for a Parchment account. Just follow the link above and then click "create account". Please note: if you have created an account with us prior to 10/27/2022, due to a system upgrade, you will need to create a new account. 

Is financial aid available? 

UC San Diego Research Scholars is a self-supporting program that does not receive State or Federal funding. Consequently, financial aid and institutional grants are not available to participants. Students are encouraged to consult with their school counselors and explore community-based resources for external scholarship opportunities. For more information, please refer to the Scholarships section of our website.

 

 

 

 

Acceptance

  • Fundamentals of Neurosciences Application Deadline: Students will be accepted on a rolling basis until Friday, July 11, 2025. 
  • ​Introduction to Cell Biology and Imaging Processing Techniques Application Deadline: Closed

Cancellation/Refund Policies

Fundamentals of Neurosciences: Health and Disease

  • Tuition will be paid at the time of acceptance.
  • Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason on or prior to June 2, 2025  will result in a 100% refund.
  • No refunds are provided if students are dismissed from the program.

 Introduction to Cell Biology and Imaging Processing Techniques

  • Tuition will be paid at the time of acceptance.
  • Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason on or prior to July 21, 2025  will result in a 100% refund.
  • No refunds are provided if students are dismissed from the program.