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Life Sciences 

In partnership with Boz Institute, we will offer a unique science research learning experience. Our programs will involve field work, fundamental molecular biology topics, modern laboratory techniques, and relevant bioinformatics and statistical applications. Learn to synthesize life science fundamentals, review literature, formulate hypotheses and design experiments, collect and process samples, execute experiments, analyze data, and showcase your work through poster presentations attended by local scientists and industry leaders.

Applications for Spring & Summer available now!

Summer hybrid courses are commuter-based. Housing and transportation is not provided. 



Courses Available

SPRING 2024 - Introduction to Bioinformatics - ONLINE

Online Course:
Dates:  April 1st - June 7th, 2024 (Click here to apply)
Grade Level: Students must currently be in 10th - 12th grade
Tuition: $2,000
Schedule: 

Tuesdays and Thursdays (4:30-6:30pm PST)
Synchronous online teaching
4 hours of work required outside of online lecture

This course introduces the theory and practical applications of bioinformatics to genes and proteins.  The lecture/computer lab format is structured on bioinformatics primary scientific literature and utility of custom data sets emphasizing recent developments and analytical applications in genomics and proteomics. Course topics, supplemented by relevant biostatistical concepts and applications, include genomic and biomolecular bioinformatics resources and databases, advances in sequencing technologies, genome and structural informatics, phylogenetics and transcriptomics. Computational tools (using R programming language) and applications promoting best analytical practices will be emphasized.

Course Requirements / Eligibility: There is no textbook for this course. A familiarity with basic biological concepts is essential. No formal programming training or advanced mathematical skills are required. Students must have their own computers to access class material and utilize free bioinformatics software and data resources.  All course materials (lectures, computer labs, videos, science manuscript .pdf files and data sets, etc.) will be accessible via Canvas course website.  Students will also present a pre-approved bioinformatics topic of their choice during the last week of the course.

Schedule: This is a 10-weeks synchronous online course, meeting twice weekly for 1h lecture and 2 hours of computer lab. Attendance is mandatory to successfully complete the course. All lecture and lab sessions will be recorded and made available asynchronously for review.

Course is available for 4 pre-college units. 

SUMMER 2024 - Introduction to Bioinformatics - ONLINE

Online Course:
Dates: July 8th - August 9th, 2024 (Click here to apply!)
Grade Level: Students must currently be in 10th - 12th grade
Tuition: $2,000
Schedule: 

Monday - Thursdays (9:00-11:00am PST)
Synchronous online teaching

This course introduces the theory and practical applications of bioinformatics to genes and proteins.  The lecture/computer lab format is structured on bioinformatics primary scientific literature and utility of custom data sets emphasizing recent developments and analytical applications in genomics and proteomics. Course topics, supplemented by relevant biostatistical concepts and applications, include genomic and biomolecular bioinformatics resources and databases, advances in sequencing technologies, genome and structural informatics, phylogenetics and transcriptomics. Computational tools (using R programming language) and applications promoting best analytical practices will be emphasized.

Course Requirements / Eligibility: There is no textbook for this course. A familiarity with basic biological concepts is essential. No formal programming training or advanced mathematical skills are required. Students must have their own computers to access class material and utilize free bioinformatics software and data resources.  All course materials (lectures, computer labs, videos, science manuscript .pdf files and data sets, etc.) will be accessible via Canvas course website.  Students will also present a pre-approved bioinformatics topic of their choice during the last week of the course.

Schedule: This is a 5 week synchronous online course, meeting Mondays through Thursdays. Attendance is mandatory to successfully complete the course. All lecture and lab sessions will be recorded and made available asynchronously for review.

Course is available for 4 pre-college units. 

SUMMER 2024 - Deep-Sea Fish Metagenomics - HYBRID

Hybrid Course:
Dates:  July 8th - August 9th, 2024 (Click here to apply!)
Grade Level: Students must currently be in 10th - 12th grade

Tuition: $3,000
Schedule: There will be two available sections over the summer! A morning and an afternoon session. You will need to specify on your application which session you would like to join. Failure to do so will result in a rejected application.

  • Morning session:
    • Mondays and Wednesdays online, 9:00am to 12:00pm PST, synchronous online teaching
    • Tuesdays and Thursdays in-person, 9:00am to 1:00pm PST, in research lab
  • Afternoon session:
    • Mondays and Wednesdays in-person, 1:00pm-5:00pm PST, in research lab
    • Tuesdays and Thursdays online, 2:00pm-5:00pm PST, synchronous online teaching

Research Lab Location: 

TBA

(San Diego, CA Area)

This course introduces students to the biodiversity of the deep-sea, which includes ambush-predators like dragonfish and viperfish, is fascinating; this 10-weeks hybrid course that meets twice per week – once virtually, and once in-person (lab), introduces students to diverse marine life in extreme environments. We will focus on the metagenomics of deep-sea fish who spend 50% of their lives at great depths and low oxygen conditions; these fish rely on adaptive phenotypes that enable them to thrive in high-pressure, low oxygen, dark marine strata. Students will become familiar with anatomy and physiology of several deep-sea fish species, confirm their identity by genotyping, and explore host-microbial relationships by sequencing metagenomes of several fish tissues. The metagenomic composition of these fish, including dragonfish and viperfish, may influence how individuals and populations adapt and cope with environmental stress and evolve to live in places only a few organisms on the planet can sustain. This research is important because understanding the mechanisms behind how these vertebrate predators thrive and survive in oxygen-limited environment will provide critical insight for future, less well-oxygenated oceans.

Students will utilize multiple research methods including microdissection, DNA extraction, quantification, library preparation, metagenomic sequencing using nanopore technology, and RNA isolation for further RNA-Seq analysis. Students will work in small teams in the research laboratory to discuss theoretical concepts and primary scientific literature, design experiments, perform research, analyze the data, and prepare scientific reports. The course will conclude with a formal science seminar during which the students will present their work in-person to a selected scientific audience.

Course is available for 4 pre-college units.         

Course is commuter based, housing and transportation is not provided.

Other Program Information

Life Sciences Application

Students can access the application, next time they are open, from the "Apply Now" tab here

Life Sciences Acceptance

Students will be notified of acceptance within 10 days of submitting their application until the program is full.

Life Sciences Cancellation/Refund Policies

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation or withdrawal for any reason 2 weeks prior to the course start date.

Refunds for cancellation or withdrawal after the 2 weeks deadline 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.

 

HOW TO REQUEST A REFUND

All refund requests must be made in writing to Maysoon Dong, Sr. Program Manager, UCSD 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 San Diego Academic Connections.

COVID Policies - Hybrid Courses

  • Masking on campus is optional. For latest updates on our policies, please click here.  
  • If you are experiencing or have had COVID-19 symptoms within the past 14 days, please stay at home.
  • If you believe that you have been in recent contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, please stay at home.