Session One
15-26 June 2026
4-7 p.m. PDT meeting window; two-hour weekday classes plus office hours.
Online Program
Frontiers in Physics
by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
Frontiers in Physics explores quantum mechanics, particle physics, and relativity through mathematical reasoning, experiments, and scientific writing.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Frontiers in Physics at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Grades 10-11; course prerequisites
Age range / Year group
Ages 15-17
Location / Region
Online
Cost
$3,200
Duration
2 weeks
Format
Online
MathematicsScienceSpace & physics
Sessions / cadence: Monday-Friday: 2-hour classes; 2-3-hour daily homework
Assessment style: Scientific writing and experiment
Main outputs: Two articles and a light experiment
Latest verified cycle: 2026
Academic support: Online office hours
Time-zone model: Pacific Daylight Time
Frontiers in Physics summary
Frontiers in Physics is a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes course exploring the discoveries that shaped modern physics, particularly quantum mechanics, particle physics, and relativity.
Students move beyond introductory explanations by working through mathematical proofs, investigating experiments, and writing for scientific and general audiences.
It suits students who enjoy both mathematical reasoning and conceptual questions, including physical paradoxes and the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics.
What is Frontiers in Physics?
Frontiers in Physics is an academic enrichment course offered through Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes. It examines the early twentieth-century discoveries behind quantum mechanics, particle physics, and Einstein's special and general theory of relativity. The teaching combines live online classes with independent assignments and projects.
Students mathematically investigate time dilation and mass-energy equivalence, explore quantum tunneling through Schrodinger's equation, and discuss famous physical paradoxes. Their assignments include a scientific article on relativity, an experiment confirming the wave nature of light, and an article explaining modern physics to a general audience.
Why Succeed highlights Frontiers in Physics
Mathematical proofs and Schrodinger's equation give students a concrete way to test their interest in demanding physics.
Scientific and general-audience articles develop two distinct ways of explaining technical ideas.
The light experiment connects abstract theory with an observable physical phenomenon.
Discussion of the Bohr-Einstein debates adds philosophical depth to the quantum mechanics content.
Who is Frontiers in Physics for?
Best for
Students who enjoy mathematical physics and want to explain complex ideas through experiments, proofs, and writing.
Not ideal if
You want a light introduction or cannot commit to daily live classes and substantial independent homework.
Is Frontiers in Physics worth it?
The course is worth considering if you want to test your interest in physics through mathematical work rather than introductory explanations alone. Its combination of proofs, experimentation, and writing can help you identify which parts of the subject you enjoy most.
The workload is substantial: live classes are accompanied by two to three hours of daily homework. Choose it for the learning experience and the work you will produce; Stanford's undergraduate admissions process remains separate, and participation does not guarantee admission.
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Cost and what is included
$3,200; includes Two-hour live online classes Monday through Friday., Online office hours., Scientific article on relativity., Experiment confirming the wave nature of light., General-audience article on modern physics..
Dates and time commitment
2 weeks; Monday-Friday: 2-hour classes; 2-3-hour daily homework.
Provider details
Review the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
What the student gains
Potential output: A completed scientific article on relativity is one of the course's main written outputs.. 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.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Frontiers in Physics need?
Effort level
High.
Best started
Allow several weeks for application materials, then refresh prerequisite topics in the weeks before your session.
Main challenge
Balancing mathematical reasoning, experiments, and two different styles of scientific writing.
Typical preparation
Refresh algebra and basic trigonometry before tackling the course's mathematical proofs.
Gather recent grade reports and transcripts, and follow the course-specific work-sample instructions.
Write application responses independently and review every upload before submitting.
Plan a daily study routine around the Pacific-time meeting window and independent homework.
Useful if
You want a demanding test of your interest in modern physics.
What do students do on Frontiers in Physics?
You investigate modern physics through live classes, mathematical problem-solving, historical experiments, and independent projects. Written and experimental assignments turn that study into explanations for both scientific and general audiences.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Join your assigned live online course section Monday through Friday.
- 2
Work through relativity concepts and paradoxes using mathematical reasoning.
- 3
Investigate historical quantum experiments and use Schrodinger's equation to explore tunneling.
- 4
Complete a scientific article on relativity and an experiment confirming the wave nature of light.
- 5
Write a general-audience article on a modern physics topic.
Frontiers in Physics 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
Session Two
6-17 July 2026
8-11 a.m. PDT meeting window; two-hour weekday classes plus office hours.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Session One | 15-26 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Session Two | 6-17 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Grades 10-11 at the time of application.
Completed an algebra course.
Completed a physical science course.
Exposure to basic trigonometry.
Domestic and international applicants may apply.
Admitted students may attend only one Summer Institutes course.
How much does Frontiers in Physics cost?
Program fee
Not announced
Funding or discounts
- Financial aid: Domestic and international participants — Both groups can be awarded financial aid.
What's included
Two-hour live online classes Monday through Friday., Online office hours., Scientific article on relativity., Experiment confirming the wave nature of light., General-audience article on modern physics.
How to apply to Frontiers in Physics
- 1
Create an account in the official application portal using the student's legal name and birthdate, or reuse an existing account.
- 2
Select Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes and indicate Frontiers in Physics among your course preferences.
- 3
Complete application responses independently and follow the course-specific work-sample instructions.
- 4
Upload recent grade reports, transcripts, and any other required materials through the online application.
- 5
Have a parent or legal guardian review and sign the completed application.
- 6
Review all materials, submit the application, and pay the required application fee.
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Learning format
Students attend two-hour live online classes Monday through Friday and complete approximately two to three hours of asynchronous homework daily. Session One uses a 4-7 p.m. PDT meeting window and Session Two an 8-11 a.m. PDT window, with each window's third hour used for online office hours.
Students attend one assigned section; exact class and office-hour schedules are set closer to the start.
Mentorship and feedback
Online office hours accompany the live class schedule.
The third hour of the published meeting window is used for office hours.
The exact office-hour schedule is set closer to the program start.
Time-zone considerations
- Meeting windows are published in Pacific Daylight Time.
- Session One uses a 4-7 p.m. PDT window.
- Session Two uses an 8-11 a.m. PDT window.
- Live classes run for two hours Monday through Friday.
- Students attend one assigned section, with exact times set closer to the start.
Assessment style
Students demonstrate their knowledge through scientific writing and an experimental assignment.
- Complete a scientific article on relativity.
- Conduct an experiment confirming the wave nature of light.
- Write a general-audience article on a modern physics topic.
Portfolio and outputs
Main deliverable / output
A completed scientific article on relativity is one of the course's main written outputs.
A general-audience article on a modern physics topic.
An experiment confirming the wave nature of light.
Frontiers in Physics FAQs
The course centers on quantum mechanics, particle physics, and Einstein's special and general theory of relativity. Students combine mathematical reasoning with experiments and scientific writing.
Students must have completed an algebra course and a physical science course and have exposure to basic trigonometry.
Students attend two hours of live online classes Monday through Friday and complete approximately two to three hours of daily asynchronous homework. The third hour of each published meeting window is used for online office hours.
Assignments include a scientific article on relativity, an experiment confirming the wave nature of light, and a general-audience article on a modern physics topic.
No. Standardized test scores are optional for both domestic and international applicants, and there is no test-score or GPA cutoff.
Students must complete their application responses independently. Parents or legal guardians review the completed application and sign it.
Yes. Financial aid can be awarded to both domestic and international participants.
Participation does not guarantee admission to Stanford University. Undergraduate admissions is separate from Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies, and the provider emphasizes what students learn and how they develop through the experience.
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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
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.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Welcome
- Questions: Application - SI | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
- Frontiers in Physics | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
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)
Official course page checked
Session dates verified
Grade eligibility reviewed
Course prerequisites reviewed
Daily workload checked
Application requirements reviewed
Financial aid eligibility 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.
Frontiers in Physics
by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
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