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    Concepts of Biology
    Online Program

    Concepts of Biology

    by Northwestern College Prep

    Concepts of Biology introduces evolution, genetics, cells, and organism function through lectures, discussion, tests, writing, and presentations.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    Concepts of Biology at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Rising juniors/seniors; GPA 3.0+

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16-18

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $5,781

    Duration

    10 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    BiologyScience
    Sessions / cadence: Asynchronous; no scheduled meetings
    Assessment style: Tests, writing, and presentations
    Main deliverable / output: Writing and presentations on chosen topics
    College credit: One Northwestern credit unit
    Scheduling model: No fixed meeting time
    Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026
    Instructor: Erin Cable

    Concepts of Biology summary

    Concepts of Biology is an introductory Northwestern course covering evolution, biomolecules, cells, genetics, population biology, and organism structure and function.

    Lectures and discussion support several tests, written work, and presentations on topics students choose.

    It suits students seeking a broad biological foundation and a realistic introduction to university-level academic expectations.

    What is Concepts of Biology?

    Concepts of Biology is an introductory biological sciences course offered through Northwestern University's School of Professional Studies and College Preparation Program. It covers evolution, biomolecules, cell biology, genetics, population biology, and how organism structure relates to function. Core concepts are connected with practical life applications.

    The course runs entirely online with asynchronous delivery and no scheduled meeting time. Teaching emphasizes lectures while also allowing discussion, and students complete tests, writing, and presentations. College Prep students take undergraduate credit courses alongside Northwestern and visiting university students.

    Why Succeed highlights Concepts of Biology

    • The curriculum connects molecular, cellular, organismal, and population-level biology rather than focusing on a single narrow topic.

    • Practical life applications help students relate biological ideas to questions beyond the classroom.

    • Tests, writing, and presentations provide several ways to practice and demonstrate understanding.

    • Student-selected writing and presentation topics create room to pursue individual scientific interests.

    Who is Concepts of Biology for?

    Best for

    Students curious about biology who want a broad introduction and can manage university-level assignments independently.

    Not ideal if

    You want an advanced specialist course or depend on scheduled live classes to maintain a study routine.

    Is Concepts of Biology worth it?

    Concepts of Biology is worth considering if you want to test your interest in biological sciences through a genuine undergraduate course. Its broad curriculum and mix of assessments offer a more substantial academic experience than passive introductory content.

    The main limitation is the need for independent organization: asynchronous delivery removes fixed meeting times but retains university-level expectations. Weigh the tuition against your learning goals, and treat college credit as something to confirm with a future receiving institution rather than an automatic transfer benefit.

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    A practical overview of cost, time commitment, provider details, student outcomes and online support to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $5,781; includes Biology lectures and discussion, Tests, written assignments, and presentations, One Northwestern credit unit.

    Dates and time commitment

    10 weeks; Asynchronous; no scheduled meetings.

    Provider details

    Review the Northwestern College Prep provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: Students produce written work and presentations on topics of their choice.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Check how online sessions are supervised, how mentor communication works, and what support route exists if the student needs help.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Concepts of Biology need?

    Effort level

    Substantial academic commitment.

    Best started

    Allow six to eight weeks before a future application deadline for transcripts, the statement, and any English test.

    Main challenge

    Maintaining a consistent study routine without scheduled class meetings.

    Typical preparation

    • Request official transcripts early and confirm how your school submits them.

    • Draft the approximately 500-word statement around a rewarding academic experience and your reasons for choosing biology.

    • Prepare an activities list with dates, descriptions, and your role.

    • Plan recurring study periods and review introductory biology vocabulary before the course begins.

    Useful if

    You want to explore biology while practicing independent college-level study.

    What do students do on Concepts of Biology?

    You study core biological concepts through lectures and discussion, then demonstrate your understanding through tests, writing, and presentations. Written and presentation work allows you to choose topics that interest you.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Study evolution, biomolecules, cell biology, genetics, population biology, and organism structure and function.

    2. 2

      Consider how core concepts apply to practical life.

    3. 3

      Participate in the course's discussion activities.

    4. 4

      Complete several tests and prepare written work and presentations on chosen topics.

    Concepts of Biology dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    1 April 2026

    Shared College Prep credit-course deadline for summer 2026.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    22 June-30 August 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • College Prep applicants must be rising high school juniors or seniors.

    • Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

    • No previous biology coursework is required.

    • Submit a personal statement and extracurricular activities list.

    • Submit official high school transcripts in English.

    • English proficiency scores are required when language or schooling criteria apply.

    • University students may enroll through their applicable registration pathway.

    How much does Concepts of Biology cost?

    Course tuition

    $5,781 — One CPP online credit class.

    Funding or discounts

    • Technology fee: $130 — Additional fee for courses ending in -DL.
    • Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable College Prep application fee.
    • Enrollment deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; applied to tuition and due three weeks after acceptance.
    • Tuition scholarship: Needs-based — 2026 support for domestic US rising seniors with strong academic and extracurricular achievement.
    • Application fee waiver: For eligible returning students — Former College Prep participants could request the 2026 waiver.

    What's included

    Biology lectures and discussion, Tests, written assignments, and presentations, One Northwestern credit unit

    How to apply to Concepts of Biology

    1. 1

      Use Northwestern's College Prep credit-course admissions pathway for the relevant cycle.

    2. 2

      Confirm your school-stage eligibility and minimum 3.0 GPA.

    3. 3

      Write approximately 500 words answering the academic-experience and program-interest questions.

    4. 4

      List extracurricular activities with involvement dates, descriptions, and roles.

    5. 5

      Arrange official English-language transcripts and any required English proficiency score.

    6. 6

      Submit the complete application and $60 application fee or approved waiver.

    7. 7

      After admission, submit the required deposit to secure program enrollment.

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    Learning format

    Concepts of Biology is completely online and asynchronous, with no scheduled class meeting time. Teaching emphasizes lectures and includes discussion, while students work toward tests, written assignments, and presentations.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Erin Cable is the course instructor.

    • Teaching combines lectures with time for discussion.

    • Northwestern-affiliated instructors expect university-level commitment and involvement.

    Time-zone considerations

    • The course uses asynchronous online delivery.
    • There is no scheduled class meeting time.
    • International students may apply through the College Prep credit-course pathway.

    Assessment style

    Assessment combines several tests with written work and presentations on student-selected topics.

    • Complete several tests.
    • Write about topics of your choice.
    • Give presentations on chosen topics.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    Students produce written work and presentations on topics of their choice.

    • Written work on student-selected topics.

    • Presentations on chosen topics.

    • One Northwestern credit unit through course completion.

    Concepts of Biology FAQs

    Topics include evolution, biomolecules, cell biology, genetics, population biology, and the relationship between structure and function in organisms. The course connects core concepts with practical life applications.

    No course prerequisites are required. It is intended for students interested in biology who do not already have a background in biological sciences.

    The course is completely online and asynchronous. Its class attributes specify no scheduled meeting time.

    Evaluation includes several tests. Students also write about and give presentations on topics of their choice.

    The course is part of Northwestern's credit-course offering. Each course normally carries one Northwestern credit unit unless its description states otherwise; transfer approval and credit value depend on the receiving institution.

    Applicants submit an approximately 500-word personal statement answering two questions, an extracurricular activities list, and official high school transcripts. English proficiency scores are required for applicants whose primary language or secondary schooling is not English.

    Erin Cable is the listed instructor. Northwestern credit courses are taught by Northwestern-affiliated instructors and expect university-level commitment.

    No. College Prep participation can be one part of an application profile, but it does not guarantee acceptance to Northwestern University.

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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.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Concepts of Biology, Biological Sciences, School of Professional Studies, 2026 Summer: Class Descriptions - Northwestern University
    • Summer 2026 dates deadlines.xlsx
    • Summer Tuition and Fees, Visiting Students | Northwestern University : School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • International Students, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Pre-College Summer Programs for Credit: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Admission, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Tuition and Fees, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • FAQs, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Concepts of Biology: Northwestern University School of Professional Studies

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

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Course identity checked

    • Online delivery confirmed

    • Session dates checked

    • Application deadline reviewed

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Tuition and scholarships reviewed

    • Assessment methods checked

    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.