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    Computational Biology Pre-College Program
    In-person Program

    Computational Biology Pre-College Program

    by Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs

    Carnegie Mellon's computational biology program combines hands-on biology labs with team coding hackathons, turning student-generated DNA data into scientific insights.

    Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Computational Biology Pre-College Program at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Applications open

    Eligibility

    High school sophomores and juniors; B average

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16+

    Location / Region

    Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, United States

    Cost

    $8,041; $10,750

    Duration

    4 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Application deadline

    1 March 2027

    Save deadline
    BiologyComputer ScienceArtificial Intelligence
    Accommodation: Campus residence halls or commuter
    Meals: Dining plan; most weekly meals
    Academic day: Half coding hackathon; half laboratory work
    Tutors / faculty: Phillip Compeau; Joshua Kangas
    College credit: Non-credit

    Computational Biology Pre-College Program summary

    Computational biology connects scientific experiments with code. At Carnegie Mellon, students generate biological data in the lab and analyze it through team hackathons.

    The curriculum moves from microbial sampling and DNA sequencing to genome assembly, evolutionary trees, and automated science. It suits students who want to connect an interest in biology with mathematical and computational thinking.

    What is Computational Biology Pre-College Program?

    The Computational Biology Pre-College Program is Carnegie Mellon University's introduction to the intersection of biology and computer science. Students combine laboratory experimentation with computational analysis, exploring how biological data can answer research-inspired questions.

    The academic day pairs team coding hackathons with laboratory work. Students collect environmental samples, extract and sequence DNA, and use their own code to interpret results, while also exploring robotic laboratory equipment and automated science.

    Why Succeed highlights Computational Biology Pre-College Program

    • Students analyze data they generate themselves, making the connection between experiments and computation concrete.

    • The five-module curriculum links DNA sequencing, genome assembly, evolutionary analysis, and laboratory automation.

    • Required preparatory coding lessons create an entry point for students without previous programming experience.

    • Faculty expertise spans computational biology education, robotics, and machine learning for biological discovery.

    Who is Computational Biology Pre-College Program for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy biology and math and want to test whether coding, laboratory experiments, and biological data analysis belong in their future studies.

    Not ideal if

    You want a credit-bearing course or an experience centered entirely on laboratory work, because coding occupies half the academic day.

    Is Computational Biology Pre-College Program worth it?

    This program is a strong option for testing an interest in computational biology through both experiments and code. Working with student-generated datasets offers a clearer view of the field than studying programming and biology separately.

    Its value depends on wanting that combination rather than a credential alone. It awards no college credit, and Carnegie Mellon states that Pre-College admission has no influence on undergraduate admission to the university.

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $8,041; $10,750; includes College-level classes taught by CMU faculty., Campus housing for residential students., Dining services., CMU ID Card with an Arts Pass., Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access., Required program resources other than a laptop..

    Accommodation

    Campus residence halls or commuter

    Meals

    Dining plan; most weekly meals

    Provider details

    Review the Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    4 weeks; Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Computational Biology Pre-College Program need?

    Effort level

    Substantial academic preparation and daily practical work.

    Best started

    Begin six to eight weeks before your chosen application deadline, allowing longer for international travel planning.

    Main challenge

    Connecting experimental results with computational solutions in a team.

    Typical preparation

    • Request your recommendation early so it reaches the application portal on time.

    • Draft specific explanations of your interest in Computational Biology and what you hope to gain.

    • After admission, complete the assigned Programming for Lovers lessons before arrival.

    • Arrange a laptop and, if traveling internationally, resolve immigration requirements before committing to travel.

    Useful if

    You want to explore how biology, mathematics, and programming work together.

    What do students do on Computational Biology Pre-College Program?

    You follow biological questions from environmental samples to DNA data and computational analysis. Laboratory experiments and team coding activities reinforce each other throughout the curriculum.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete the required preparatory programming assignments before the program.

    2. 2

      Collect environmental samples and investigate microbial diversity.

    3. 3

      Isolate bacteria, extract DNA, and compare sequences with known organisms.

    4. 4

      Assemble genome sequences and investigate genes and their functions.

    5. 5

      Construct evolutionary trees and compare mutations in viral genomes.

    6. 6

      Explore laboratory automation, robotics, and machine learning.

    7. 7

      Present your scientific work to peers and family at the closing event.

    Computational Biology Pre-College Program dates and deadlines

    Application deadline

    1 March 2027

    Basic applications; 11:59 p.m. EST.

    Upcoming
    Save deadline

    Programme dates

    26 June-24 July 2027

    Upcoming

    Scholarship decisions

    1 April 2027

    Upcoming

    International arrival

    25 June 2027

    International students arrive between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

    Upcoming

    Orientation day

    27 June 2027

    Campus orientation and introductions to other Pre-College students.

    Upcoming

    First classes

    28 June 2027

    Upcoming

    Classes end

    23 July 2027

    Residential move-out follows the next day.

    Upcoming

    Eligibility and requirements

    • At least 16 years old by 26 June 2027.

    • Current high school sophomore or junior when applying.

    • Academic average of B (3.0/4.0) or better.

    • Commuter families: within approximately 30 miles of campus or Allegheny County.

    • International participation requires suitable immigration status and entry eligibility.

    • Scholarships require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and financial need.

    • English proficiency results required unless the stated exemption applies.

    How much does Computational Biology Pre-College Program cost?

    2026 residential fee

    $10,750 — Four-week residential reference price.

    Funding or discounts

    • 2026 commuter fee: $8,041 — Four-week commuter reference price.
    • Application fee: $75 — Non-refundable; waived for scholarship consideration.
    • Enrollment deposit: $800 — Non-refundable; deducted from the program balance.
    • Need-based scholarship: Full tuition, housing, and dining — For qualifying U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
    • Scholarship recipient deposit: $100 — Available for campus spending through the CMU ID Card.

    What's included

    College-level classes taught by CMU faculty., Campus housing for residential students., Dining services., CMU ID Card with an Arts Pass., Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access., Required program resources other than a laptop.

    How to apply to Computational Biology Pre-College Program

    1. 1

      Use Carnegie Mellon's online Pre-College application and select Computational Biology.

    2. 2

      Provide your personal, parent or guardian, and academic information.

    3. 3

      Upload your most recent unofficial high school transcript.

    4. 4

      Request one recommendation by entering your recommender's email address in the application.

    5. 5

      Upload two 300-500-word essays about your goals and interest in Computational Biology.

    6. 6

      Add optional standardized test scores and required English proficiency results when applicable.

    7. 7

      If requesting a scholarship, select consideration and submit the required financial documentation.

    8. 8

      Submit the completed application by the deadline for your application pathway.

    9. 9

      After admission, return the enrollment reply and applicable deposit within seven days.

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    What does Computational Biology Pre-College Program cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Metagenomics

    Collect environmental samples and use DNA sequence data to compare microbial diversity.

    Sequence alignment

    Isolate bacteria, extract DNA, and quantitatively compare sequences with known organisms.

    Genome assembly

    Reconstruct genomes from short DNA sequences and investigate genes and their functions.

    Evolutionary tree construction

    Use bacterial and viral sequences to investigate evolutionary relationships and mutations.

    Automated science

    Explore how robotics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence can improve biological experiments.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Computational Biology Pre-College Program?

    A typical day during the program.

    Coding hackathon

    Teams code solutions to computational questions inspired by biology.

    Laboratory work

    Students generate biological datasets for computational analysis.

    Who teaches on Computational Biology Pre-College Program?

    Phillip Compeau is a CMU Teaching Professor in Computational Biology and Assistant Dean for Innovation in Computing Education, whose Programming for Lovers materials support program preparation. Joshua Kangas is an Associate Teaching Professor and co-director of CMU's M.S. in Automated Science, with teaching expertise in laboratory experimentation, robotics, and computational analysis.

    Where do students stay on Computational Biology Pre-College Program?

    Residential plan

    • Campus residence halls: Residential students live in assigned Carnegie Mellon dorms.
    • Dining plan: Most weekly meals are covered, with vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and Halal options.
    • Residential welfare: Curfew rules and guardian-verified departure requests accompany campus emergency support.
    • Campus orientation: Opening weekend introduces students to the campus and the wider Pre-College community.

    Non-residential plan

    • Local commuter option: Students and guardians must live within approximately 30 miles of campus or within Allegheny County.

    What happens after Computational Biology Pre-College Program?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Build foundational programming skills for biological analysis.

    Gain experience generating and interpreting genomic data.

    Explore robotics and machine learning in biological research.

    Present scientific work to peers and family.

    The program is non-credit, and participation has no influence on undergraduate admission to Carnegie Mellon.

    Where does Computational Biology Pre-College Program take place?

    The program takes place at Carnegie Mellon University's Pittsburgh campus, with environmental sampling connected to local river ecosystems. Students traveling alone can use the free scheduled airport-to-campus shuttles on the designated arrival days.

    International applicants must resolve immigration eligibility; Carnegie Mellon does not issue I-20 documents for this program.

    Computational Biology Pre-College Program FAQs

    Programming knowledge is helpful but not required. Admitted students must complete selected Programming for Lovers assignments before the program begins.

    The five modules cover metagenomics, sequence alignment, genome assembly, evolutionary tree construction, and automated science. Laboratory experiments and coding hackathons connect these topics.

    No. Computational Biology is a non-credit pre-college program.

    You must bring a laptop for coding activities. The program provides all other required resources.

    Yes. You and your parent or guardian must have a permanent residence within approximately 30 miles of the Pittsburgh campus or within Allegheny County.

    Full need-based scholarships cover tuition, housing, and dining. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and provide financial documentation.

    Yes, subject to immigration and entry requirements. CMU does not issue I-20 documents for Computational Biology, and international students cannot receive program scholarships.

    CMU provides campus police services and a Pre-College help line around the clock during the program. Residential students follow curfew rules, and overnight or private-vehicle departures require guardian-verified approval.

    Alternatives to Computational Biology Pre-College Program

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

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    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Join our Pre-College Mailing List
    • Computational Biology Pre-College Program Brochure
    • Campus Safety - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Absence from Campus Request - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • International Applicants - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Admitted Students - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Admission - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Cost and Scholarships - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Arrival - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Discover Sessions - Presentations and Q&As - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University
    • Computational Biology - Pre-College Programs - Carnegie Mellon University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)

    • Official program page checked

    • 2027 application deadlines checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Historical fees distinguished

    • Scholarship conditions reviewed

    • International travel restrictions reviewed

    • Residential support policies 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.