Institute of Engineering in Medicine

APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2025 ARE NOW CLOSED.

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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, 90000 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, 90000 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?
What are 90000 level pre-college units?

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?

For instructions on how to order a 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.

You can also view/download your grade report by logging in your MyExtension here.

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.

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.

Acceptance

Fundamentals of Neurosciences Application Deadline: Students will be accepted on a rolling basis until Friday, July 11, 2025.

Cancellation/Refund Policies