Rice University Precollege Physiology: The Foundations of Medicine

Everything is self-paced. You watch pre-recorded lectures and complete module assignments whenever it suits you, as long as all of it, capstone included, is submitted by your session's end date. There are no deadlines for individual assignments along the way. Rice puts the total at 20 to 30 hours and suggests planning for roughly 15 hours a week on a two-week session or 7.5 on a four-week one.

Your mentor answers questions and gives feedback on assignments and the capstone through the Canvas inbox and discussion boards, mostly during daytime hours in US time zones. That's worth knowing if you're studying from Asia or Europe and expect quick replies. You keep view-only access to the materials for one month after the end date.

The course was designed by Sabia Abidi, an assistant teaching professor in Rice's bioengineering department who teaches Systems Physiology there. You meet her through recorded lectures rather than live. Your day-to-day contact is a mentor, and Rice names three for this course. Kayla and Madison both have bachelor's degrees in biology of global health, and Kayla now works as a research assistant at the CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Jane is a second-year medical student. Practicing physicians appear in the course to describe the complications they deal with. Rice doesn't say how many students each mentor supports.

You need to be at least 13. Rice says the courses are for students in high school (or its equivalent outside the US) or within a year of graduating on a gap year, although it also says you can start as early as middle school. They aren't meant for college students or adults. International students are welcome and don't need an English test, but the application has to be in English and so is the course.

There are no transcripts, grades or recommendation letters. Besides contact details for you and a parent or guardian, you write a short personal statement on why you want to take the course, which Rice calls the most important part of the application. You can tell your story in writing, video, photos or any other medium.

The course costs $1,795 whichever session length you pick, and Rice charges no other fees. That covers the lectures, assignments, mentor feedback and capstone review. You supply the computer or tablet and a reliable internet connection. Some of the physiology activities also use household objects such as straws, balloons, rubber bands and squeeze bottles, and Rice suggests checking the course syllabus before your start date for any updated list.

Payment is due the day before your session starts, but your place isn't confirmed until you pay, so Rice recommends paying as soon as you're accepted. Cancel at least seven calendar days before the start date and you get everything back.

From six days before the start, the fee is non-refundable and there are no partial refunds. You may still be able to switch to another session or course, paying any difference. Need-based scholarships exist for students who show financial need and high potential, and you request one on the confirmation page after applying. Rice doesn't say how much they cover.

Complete at least 70% of the assignments and the whole capstone by your end date and Rice emails you a Certificate of Completion. Work is marked complete or incomplete against criteria you're given at the start, with no letter grades. Fall short and there's no certificate and no refund.

The capstone asks you to build models showing how healthy and diseased organs and systems behave, and Rice says you can use it as a portfolio piece on college or internship applications. The course carries no college credit or transcript, and Rice says it gives no advantage in its own admissions. It suggests listing the course as an extracurricular or experiential activity rather than as coursework.

Applications go through Rice's precollege application page, and one application can cover several courses.

1. 1

   Pick a session

   Each date on the course page has its own deadline, starting with 13 December 2026 for the 20 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 session.

2. 2

   Apply online

   The form takes about 20 to 30 minutes, saves your progress and asks for basic details plus your personal statement.

3. 3

   Ask for a scholarship if you need one

   The request option appears on the confirmation page once you submit.

4. 4

   Wait for a decision

   Rice emails one within a week, or a few days longer at busy times.

5. 5

   Pay and log in

   Tuition is due the day before your start date, and your Canvas invitation arrives at least two days before the course begins.