Application deadline
15 May 2026
General Brown Pre-College deadline; course enrollment is a separate step.
In-person Program
Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes
A biology lab course using microscopic roundworms to explore developmental, cellular, molecular, and genetic research through team experiments and presentations.
Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Completing grades 8-9
Age range / Year group
Ages 13-15
Location / Region
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Cost
$6,052
Duration
2 weeks
Format
In-person
BiologyScience
Accommodation: Shared university residence hall room
Meals: Three meals daily plus snacks
Certificate / Outcome: Digital certificate; Course Performance Report
Tutors / faculty: Sean Ovalles; Diana Wall
Research team size: 2-4 students
Sessions / cadence: M-F mornings; T/Th afternoons; 12-15h independent
Main deliverable / output: 5-10 minute team research presentation
Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes summary
Brown's course introduces biological research through Caenorhabditis elegans, a microscopic roundworm used to investigate developmental, cellular, molecular, and genetic questions.
Teams design experiments, prepare reagents, collect and analyze data, troubleshoot protocols, and explain their findings in an oral or signed presentation.
It suits students who want to test their interest in laboratory research and are comfortable sharing responsibility for a scientific project.
What is Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes?
Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes is a project-based laboratory course within Brown University's STEM for Rising 9th and 10th Graders program. Students use Caenorhabditis elegans to explore how model organisms help scientists investigate biological processes and questions relevant to human disease.
The practical experience combines experimental design, molecular biology techniques, data analysis, and scientific communication. Small research teams take responsibility for preparing reagents, troubleshooting experiments, and presenting findings, alongside a structured residential campus experience.
Why Succeed highlights Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes
Students take responsibility for the full research process, including the troubleshooting that makes laboratory work demanding.
DNA extraction and PCR give the academic experience concrete experimental techniques.
Teams of 2-4 connect scientific collaboration with individual responsibility for preparation and data.
The final presentation and Course Performance Report give students specific work and feedback to reflect on afterward.
A structured residential routine supports students learning to manage academic work away from home.
Who is Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes for?
Best for
Students curious about molecular biology who want practical research experience and enjoy solving problems with a small team.
Not ideal if
You want a lecture-only course, college credit, or a residential experience with independent off-campus travel.
Is Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes worth it?
This course offers a useful test of whether you enjoy the practical demands of biological research. Preparing reagents, troubleshooting protocols, and explaining results can make your interest more informed than classroom study alone.
Its value depends on how much you want the laboratory and residential experience. The course carries no college credit, and Brown describes Pre-College as separate from undergraduate recruitment; consider the experience for its learning rather than an expected admissions advantage.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$6,052; includes Course instruction., Residence hall housing., Three meals daily and regular snacks., Fitness, athletic, and aquatics center access., Program activities and excursions., Course-specific supplies, where applicable..
Accommodation
Shared university residence hall room
Meals
Three meals daily plus snacks
Provider details
Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
2 weeks; Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes need?
Effort level
High for an introductory summer course.
Best started
Begin application preparation 4-6 weeks before an announced deadline, allowing longer for English testing and travel planning.
Main challenge
Balancing careful laboratory work, team responsibilities, and presentation preparation.
Typical preparation
Review basic biology and the purpose of DNA extraction and PCR.
Practice explaining a scientific question and result clearly to another person.
Gather academic records and draft your application essay in advance.
Prepare closed-toe shoes, long pants, and appropriate laboratory shirts.
Useful if
You want to discover whether experimental biology suits your interests.
What do students do on Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes?
You work with a small team to investigate a biological question using microscopic roundworms. The project connects practical laboratory techniques with interpreting data and communicating what your team found.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Learn how Caenorhabditis elegans serves as a model organism.
- 2
Design an investigation with your research team.
- 3
Prepare solutions and reagents while following laboratory safety rules.
- 4
Conduct experiments, including molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction and PCR.
- 5
Collect and analyze data, troubleshoot protocols, and evaluate scientific literature.
- 6
Prepare and deliver a 5-10 minute oral or signed presentation of your findings.
- 7
Give peers feedback on their presentations.
Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
13-24 July 2026
Applications open
14 January 2026
Brown Pre-College application opening for the reference cycle.
Residential check-in
12 July 2026
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Eastern Time at Sayles Hall.
Presentation and departure
24 July 2026
Closing events run during the morning; residence hall checkout is by 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 15 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 13-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | 14 January 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Residential check-in | 12 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Presentation and departure | 24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Completing grades 8 or 9.
Ages 13-15 by 14 June 2026 for the reference cycle.
One year of biology helpful, but not required.
Strong English language proficiency required.
English testing required for applicable international applicants.
No prior on-campus course before STEM 9/10.
No overlapping on-campus or online course during STEM 9/10.
How much does Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes cost?
Residential program fee
$6,052 — Includes housing, meals, and fitness facility access.
Funding or discounts
- Course supplement: $100 — Additional fee for this laboratory course.
- Application fee: $80 — Non-refundable; eligible applicants may request a waiver.
- Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required before enrollment; generally non-refundable.
- Conditional insurance fee: $80 — Applies to international students and U.S. students without adequate insurance.
- Scholarships: Sibley; PPSD — Separate applications and citizenship or immigration-status eligibility restrictions apply.
What's included
Course instruction., Residence hall housing., Three meals daily and regular snacks., Fitness, athletic, and aquatics center access., Program activities and excursions., Course-specific supplies, where applicable.
How to apply to Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes
- 1
Create one applicant account through Brown's Student Portal.
- 2
Complete the application form and a 250-500 word essay.
- 3
Upload current and previous academic-year grades in English and pay the application fee or request a waiver.
- 4
Submit English test results when required and an optional recommendation if appropriate.
- 5
Monitor your portal and email for missing-material requests and your admission decision.
- 6
After admission, review your desired course before paying the non-refundable $500 deposit.
- 7
Complete separate course enrollment through your Student Portal.
- 8
Complete the required student and parent or guardian forms and arrange travel.
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What does Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Model organisms
Study how Caenorhabditis elegans helps investigate developmental, cellular, molecular, and genetic questions.
Experimental research
Design investigations, prepare solutions and reagents, collect data, and troubleshoot experimental protocols.
Molecular biology
Practice laboratory techniques including DNA extraction and PCR.
Scientific literature and ethics
Evaluate peer-reviewed scientific literature and demonstrate ethical conduct in laboratory and academic work.
Research communication
Present team findings orally or through signing and give peers constructive presentation feedback.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes?
A typical day during the program.
Academic course
Classes meet 8:30-11:20 a.m. Eastern Time.
Afternoon academics
This course meets 12:30-3:05 p.m. Eastern Time for additional academic work.
Independent project work
Outside-class preparation spans both weeks, with daily Collaboration Station access.
Residential activities
Supervised activities generally run 7-10 p.m., followed by a 10 p.m. curfew and 10:30 p.m. quiet time.
Who teaches on Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes?
Sean Ovalles and Diana Wall are the listed course instructors. Students can use instructor office hours to discuss course content, assignments, and research questions.
Where do students stay on Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes?
Residential plan
- Shared residence hall room: Share with another STEM 9/10 student no more than one year apart in age, within walking distance of classes and dining.
- Meals and snacks: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and regular snacks are provided, with dietary accommodation support available.
- Residential supervision: Resident Assistants live with students and supervise evening and weekend activities, with nightly curfew checks.
- Rooms and campus facilities: Furnished rooms have wireless internet and cooling, alongside laundry facilities and fitness center access.
Bring your own bedding and towels; roommate requests are not honored.
What happens after Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Build foundational laboratory skills for future research opportunities.
Complete a collaborative biological research project.
Present findings in a 5-10 minute oral or signed presentation.
Earn a digital Certificate of Completion upon successful completion.
Receive an instructor-written Course Performance Report.
The course carries no college credit and does not provide a university transcript.
Where does Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes take place?
The course takes place on Brown University's campus in Providence, Rhode Island. Students live within walking distance of classrooms and dining halls, and residential check-in takes place at Sayles Hall on the Main Green.
Families arrange transportation to and from campus; Brown does not provide transportation or coordinate travel assistance.
Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes FAQs
One year of biology is helpful, but it is not required.
You will practice foundational research skills, including making solutions and reagents, collecting data, troubleshooting protocols, DNA extraction, and PCR.
Research is conducted in groups of 2-4. Each student or group takes responsibility for experimental preparation, data collection, troubleshooting, and collaboration.
Your team presents its research findings in a 5-10 minute oral or signed presentation. The academic project is developed throughout the course and presented on the final day.
Expect 12-15 hours of project preparation outside class across the two weeks. Students have daily access to Collaboration Station, a collective study space.
Students live in Brown residence halls with another STEM 9/10 student no more than one year apart in age. Residential fees include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and STEM 9/10 students also receive regular snacks.
Successful completion earns a digital Certificate of Completion and a Course Performance Report. This is a non-credit course and does not produce a university transcript.
No. Students apply to Brown Pre-College first, then complete a separate course enrollment step after admission and payment of the non-refundable deposit.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- STEM for Rising 9th and 10th Graders | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- STEM for Rising 9th and 10th Graders
- Laboratory/Project Attire
- 2026 Program Costs: Breakdown of Fees
- Identification and Study of Wild-Caught Nematodes - Pre-College Course Catalog"
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)
Course identity checked
Eligibility requirements reviewed
Academic timetable checked
Residential fees verified
Application requirements reviewed
Housing and supervision reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
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