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    In-person Program

    Biotechnology High School Course

    by Summer Springboard

    A lab-based biotechnology course where high school students investigate molecules, proteins, genetics and drug discovery alongside scientists.

    Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
    Biotechnology High School Course

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    Biotechnology High School Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Closed

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Berkeley, California; Cambridge, Massachusetts; San Diego, California

    Cost

    $3,298-$6,798

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Latest deadline

    17 May 2026 · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Get next-cycle reminder
    BiologyMedicineResearch MethodsScienceTechnology

    Accommodation: Residential or commuter

    Meals: Residential all meals; commuter lunch

    Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026

    Sessions / cadence: 9 x 3-hour weekday labs

    Tutors / faculty: Scientists and industry professionals

    Campus experience: Labs, excursions and college workshops

    Biotechnology High School Course summary

    This immersive pre-college course introduces biotechnology through sustained laboratory work rather than lectures alone. Students follow parts of the research process used to investigate diseases and develop potential treatments.

    Activities can include molecule design, protein purification, DNA techniques, data analysis and the scientific method. Exact content differs by campus, with Berkeley emphasizing environmental biotechnology and UC San Diego including a poster presentation.

    It is best suited to students seriously exploring biology, medicine, pharmaceuticals or laboratory research who are comfortable with intensive practical science.

    What is Biotechnology High School Course?

    The Biotechnology High School Course is an immersive Summer Springboard academic experience built around practical laboratory research. Students investigate how biotechnology supports medicine and drug discovery, working through activities involving molecules, proteins, genetics and biological testing.

    The course combines expert instruction with experiments, industry conversations and visits to biotechnology organizations. Campus content varies: Berkeley emphasizes microbes, antibiotics and CRISPR, Cambridge focuses on chemical and molecular biology, and UC San Diego introduces biomedical research and scientific presentation.

    Why Succeed highlights Biotechnology High School Course

    • Students spend nine three-hour sessions developing laboratory experience over two weeks.

    • The curriculum follows a genuine biotechnology workflow from hypothesis and molecule design to testing and analysis.

    • Different campuses offer distinct strengths, including CRISPR, drug discovery and scientific poster presentation.

    • Industry visits and conversations connect laboratory techniques with real biotechnology careers.

    • Residential and commuter formats give families two ways to access the campus experience.

    Who is Biotechnology High School Course for?

    Best for

    High school students who enjoy biology and want sustained, hands-on exposure to laboratory research, biotechnology careers and college-style study.

    Not ideal if

    You prefer a broad science sampler or mainly classroom-based learning, because the course focuses intensively on one subject and practical laboratory work.

    Is Biotechnology High School Course worth it?

    This course can be worthwhile for a student who wants to test whether biotechnology, molecular biology or drug discovery feels right before choosing future study. The strongest value comes from repeated laboratory sessions, contact with scientists and exposure to professional research environments.

    It is less compelling for students seeking formal academic credit or a single standardized curriculum across every campus. Families should choose the campus by its specific scientific focus, instructor, age rule and residential needs rather than by the associated university name alone.

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

    Cost and what is included

    $3,298-$6,798; includes Residential tuition includes all meals, lodging, excursions and the academic course., Residential tuition also includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch, the academic course and excursions., Commuter programming runs from 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday..

    Accommodation

    Residential or commuter

    Meals

    Residential all meals; commuter lunch

    Provider details

    Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; Berkeley, California; Cambridge, Massachusetts; San Diego, California.

    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 programs

    How much preparation does Biotechnology High School Course need?

    Effort level

    High

    Best started

    Begin two to three months before the next admission deadline to compare campuses, arrange travel and prepare documents.

    Main challenge

    Maintaining accuracy and focus during intensive laboratory work.

    Typical preparation

    • Review the Berkeley, Cambridge and San Diego curricula before choosing a campus.

    • Refresh foundational biology, genetics and laboratory-safety concepts.

    • Prepare questions about biotechnology careers and the scientific techniques used.

    • Allow time for travel, residential planning and required pre-departure forms.

    Useful if

    You already enjoy biology, chemistry or practical scientific investigation.

    What do students do on Biotechnology High School Course?

    Students work through guided biotechnology investigations in a laboratory and connect their experiments with current research and industry practice.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Learn laboratory safety, scientific-method and experimental-design principles.

    2. 2

      Design molecules or investigate biological samples using campus-specific techniques.

    3. 3

      Use professional tools to isolate proteins, extract DNA or test biological activity.

    4. 4

      Collect and analyze experimental data before drawing conclusions.

    5. 5

      Meet scientists or visit biotechnology incubators and research organizations.

    6. 6

      Present or discuss findings, with a scientific poster session at UC San Diego.

    Biotechnology High School Course dates and deadlines

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

    Admission deadline

    17 May 2026

    Final general admission deadline for Summer 2026.

    Reference date

    Berkeley Session 2

    21 June-3 July 2026

    Two-week campus course.

    Reference date

    Berkeley Session 4

    5-17 July 2026

    Two-week campus course.

    Reference date

    Berkeley Session 6

    19-31 July 2026

    Two-week campus course.

    Reference date

    Cambridge Session 2

    5-17 July 2026

    Laboratory classes take place in Kendall Square.

    Reference date

    Cambridge Session 3

    19-31 July 2026

    Laboratory classes take place in Kendall Square.

    Reference date

    San Diego Session 1

    28 June-10 July 2026

    Two-week UC San Diego course.

    Reference date

    San Diego Session 2

    12-24 July 2026

    Two-week UC San Diego course.

    Reference date

    San Diego Session 3

    26 July-7 August 2026

    Two-week UC San Diego course.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Students in Grades 9-12

    • Minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent

    • Berkeley laboratory students must be at least 14

    • Cambridge laboratory students must be at least 16

    • Students must meet Essential Eligibility Criteria

    • International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency

    How much does Biotechnology High School Course cost?

    Program tuition

    $3,298-$6,798 — Residential and commuter prices vary by campus.

    Funding or discounts

    • Course supplement: $250 — Mandatory for biotechnology students.
    • Application fee: From $99 — Mandatory and nonrefundable.
    • Deposit: $600 — Paid with the application to hold a place.
    • Need-based scholarship: Up to 30% residential — Up to 60% of commuter tuition.
    • Selected discounts: 5% — Eligibility varies by discount type.

    What's included

    Residential tuition includes all meals, lodging, excursions and the academic course., Residential tuition also includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch, the academic course and excursions., Commuter programming runs from 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday.

    How to apply to Biotechnology High School Course

    1. 1

      Create an account in the official application portal and verify your email address.

    2. 2

      Complete the account details in the applicant dashboard.

    3. 3

      Choose the campus, session, biotechnology course and tuition type.

    4. 4

      Enter the student's contact information with the student present.

    5. 5

      Pay the required deposit and application fee.

    6. 6

      Submit the completed application for review.

    7. 7

      Complete any additional forms made available after acceptance.

    What does Biotechnology High School Course cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Molecule Design

    Design and synthesize molecules before testing their biological activity.

    Protein Science

    Purify, isolate and analyze proteins using modern laboratory methods.

    Genetics and CRISPR

    Explore gene expression, genetic engineering and campus-specific CRISPR work.

    Microbiology

    Investigate microbes, biotechnology applications and laboratory cultivation techniques.

    Scientific Research

    Apply hypothesis, experimentation, data analysis and conclusion in sequence.

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

    What is a typical day on Biotechnology High School Course?

    A typical day during the program.

    9am 12pm

    Students attend the academic biotechnology laboratory course.

    1:30pm

    Students join an academic excursion or recreational activity.

    3:30pm

    College-readiness or True You personal-development workshops follow.

    7pm onward

    Residential students join clubs before nightly dorm checks.

    Who teaches on Biotechnology High School Course?

    Teaching is led by biotechnology researchers and professionals with subject expertise and practical industry experience. Named instructors include drug-discovery specialist Dr. Vicki Nienaber-Meadows at UC San Diego and microbiologist Dr. Luis Valentin-Alvarado at Berkeley, while the Cambridge course works with LabCentral professionals.

    The Cambridge infosheet listed its individual instructor as unannounced, although the course is delivered with LabCentral professionals.

    Where do students stay on Biotechnology High School Course?

    Residential plan

    • University-style housing: Students share dorm rooms, with common or suite bathrooms depending on campus.
    • Meals and excursions: Residential tuition includes all meals, lodging and weekend excursions.
    • Residential support: Staff live in the residences and remain available for emergencies around the clock.

    Non-residential plan

    • Day attendance: Commuters receive lunch and weekday programming from 9am to 5pm.

    Room and bathroom configurations vary by campus.

    What happens after Biotechnology High School Course?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Apply laboratory experience to future biology or chemistry study.

    Explore biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical research pathways.

    Use industry conversations to investigate life-science careers.

    Build evidence of sustained subject exploration for later applications.

    Develop scientific-method, data-analysis and presentation experience.

    Specific outputs vary by campus; UC San Diego includes a scientific poster session.

    Where does Biotechnology High School Course take place?

    The course is offered in three US biotechnology centers: Berkeley, Cambridge and San Diego. Berkeley students work in a university laboratory, Cambridge classes take place at LabCentral in Kendall Square near MIT, and UC San Diego students learn in a professional biotechnology research environment.

    Summer Springboard states that most campus partners do not run or control its programs.

    Biotechnology High School Course FAQs

    Students study molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, protein analysis, genetic engineering and biotechnology research methods. The exact emphasis varies between Berkeley, Cambridge and UC San Diego.

    The course centers on hands-on laboratory work. Students use professional tools to design experiments, work with molecules or biological samples, analyze results and apply the scientific method.

    There are nine three-hour academic sessions. Classes run from 9am to noon Monday-Friday in week one and Monday-Thursday in week two.

    Yes. Both residential and commuter tuition options are published, with commuters joining weekday programming and receiving lunch.

    No. Berkeley emphasizes environmental biotechnology, microbes and CRISPR; Cambridge emphasizes chemical and molecular biology; and UC San Diego includes biomedical research techniques and a scientific poster session.

    Teaching involves biotechnology scientists and industry professionals. Named faculty include Dr. Vicki Nienaber-Meadows at UC San Diego and Dr. Luis Valentin-Alvarado at Berkeley, while Cambridge delivery involves LabCentral.

    Summer Springboard publishes need-based scholarships covering up to 30% of residential tuition or 60% of commuter tuition. Several 5% discounts are also listed for eligible families.

    Alternatives to Biotechnology High School Course

    Compare these related biology, biotechnology and medicine programs if you want a different subject balance or campus experience.

    Alternatives to Biotechnology High School Course

    Academic Insights – Biology

    Biology and research methods in Cambridge

    Biology
    Deadline: Not announced
    From £5995
    16-18
    Cambridge
    In-person

    Best for

    Students who want biology beyond biotechnology alone.

    View details

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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 and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Terms & Conditions | Policies & Terms | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Program Availability | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Biotechnology | UC San Diego | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Biotechnology | Berkeley Course | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • (1) New Messages!
    • Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • 2026 HS 2-Week Biotechnology Infosheet_V4
    • (1) New Messages!

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

    What we verified (on 26 Aug 2026)

    • Course details reviewed

    • Campus variants compared

    • Session dates checked

    • Tuition options checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Application process checked

    • Policies and funding 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.