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    In-person Program

    Marine Biology High School Course

    by Summer Springboard

    A hands-on marine science course combining dissections, coastal fieldwork, biodiversity analysis, and conservation study in an ocean-research setting.

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

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    Marine Biology Summer Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Recently closed

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA

    Age range / Year group

    14-18

    Location / Region

    UC San Diego, San Diego

    Cost

    $3,298 commuter; $5,998 residential

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    BiologyEnvironmental Science

    Accommodation: Residential or commuter

    Meals: 3 daily residential; lunch commuter

    Certificate / Outcome: Certificate and recommendation letter

    Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026

    Campus experience: UCSD dorms and coastal fieldwork

    Tutors / faculty: Marine scientists and professionals

    Marine Biology Summer Course summary

    This is an applied marine science course built around dissections, ecological fieldwork, biodiversity sampling, data interpretation, and conservation.

    UC San Diego provides strong subject context through its proximity to Scripps Oceanography, Birch Aquarium, tide pools, and coastal research environments.

    It suits students who want to test marine biology through practical study while also experiencing college-style learning and campus life.

    What is Marine Biology High School Course?

    The Marine Biology High School Course is a hands-on Summer Springboard course focused on marine organisms, ocean ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation. Students learn through dissections, field observations, ecological sampling, and data analysis rather than relying only on classroom lectures.

    The course uses UC San Diego’s coastal setting and nearby ocean-science institutions to connect biological concepts with real environments. Marine scientists and conservation professionals also introduce research questions, career pathways, and the practical work involved in ocean science.

    Why Succeed highlights Marine Biology Summer Course

    • The curriculum combines organism dissections, field observation, ecological sampling, and data analysis in one focused course.

    • UC San Diego’s proximity to Scripps Oceanography, Birch Aquarium, and coastal habitats gives the subject a credible real-world setting.

    • Students examine both marine biodiversity and the environmental pressures affecting ocean ecosystems.

    • Contact with marine scientists and conservation professionals helps connect academic study with future pathways.

    • Residential and commuter options make the campus experience accessible in two different formats.

    Who is Marine Biology Summer Course for?

    Best for

    Students interested in biology, ecology, conservation, or ocean science who want practical field and laboratory experience.

    Not ideal if

    You prefer a purely theoretical course, need college credit, or are uncomfortable with dissections, field observations, and a structured campus schedule.

    Is Marine Biology Summer Course worth it?

    The course can be worthwhile for a student who wants to test a serious interest in marine science before choosing future subjects or university pathways. Its strongest feature is the combination of practical biology, ecological data work, professional contact, and a coastal research setting.

    The limitation is cost: tuition, the mandatory course supplement, travel, and possible extras make this a substantial investment, and the course does not award college credit. Its value therefore depends on whether the student will actively use the fieldwork, reflection, and pathway insight afterward.

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

    Cost and what is included

    $3,298 commuter; $5,998 residential; includes Residential tuition includes lodging and all meals., Residential tuition includes the academic course and excursions., Residential tuition includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch and the academic course., Commuter tuition includes excursions and weekday programming., All students receive college-readiness workshops..

    Accommodation

    Residential or commuter

    Meals

    3 daily residential; lunch commuter

    Provider details

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

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; UC San Diego, San Diego.

    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 Marine Biology Summer Course need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high.

    Best started

    Begin six to eight weeks before the next application deadline, or earlier if arranging travel, funding, medical forms, or a visa.

    Main challenge

    Moving between biological detail, field sampling, and ecosystem-level analysis.

    Typical preparation

    • Review core ecology terms, food webs, adaptation, and biodiversity before the course.

    • Practice recording observations clearly and turning simple data into tables or graphs.

    • Discuss any dietary, medical, accessibility, or support needs early with the provider.

    • Plan travel, required documents, tuition, and the residential or commuter choice well before the session.

    Useful if

    You have a basic grounding in biology and genuine interest in marine environments.

    What do students do on Marine Biology Summer Course?

    Students investigate marine ecosystems through practical scientific work and connect their findings to conservation and marine-science careers.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Study marine vertebrates, invertebrates, habitats, and ecosystem relationships.

    2. 2

      Complete marine organism dissections and structured field observations.

    3. 3

      Use ecological sampling methods to collect biodiversity and environmental data.

    4. 4

      Interpret data on species behavior, pollution, climate effects, and ecosystem health.

    5. 5

      Assess environmental threats and conservation strategies.

    6. 6

      Meet marine scientists and conservation professionals to explore future pathways.

    Marine Biology Summer 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.

    First application wave

    22 February 2026

    Application fee increased after this point.

    Reference date

    Second application wave

    19 April 2026

    Application fee increased after this point.

    Reference date

    Final admission deadline

    17 May 2026

    Final general-admission date for the verified cycle.

    Reference date

    Session 1

    28 June-10 July 2026

    Two-week UC San Diego course session.

    Reference date

    Session 2

    12-24 July 2026

    Two-week UC San Diego course session.

    Reference date

    Session 3

    26 July-7 August 2026

    Two-week UC San Diego course session.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Students entering Grades 9-12

    • Students starting high school in the fall

    • Spring high school graduates

    • Minimum 3.0 GPA or equivalent

    • English proficiency required for international students

    • Essential Eligibility Criteria must be met

    How much does Marine Biology Summer Course cost?

    Residential tuition

    $5,998 — Includes lodging, meals, course, and excursions.

    Funding or discounts

    • Commuter tuition: $3,298 — Includes lunch, course, excursions, and weekday programming.
    • Course supplement: $250 — Mandatory for Marine Biology.
    • Deposit: $600 — Paid during enrollment.
    • Need-based scholarship: Up to 30% residential — Commuter support can cover up to 60%.

    What's included

    Residential tuition includes lodging and all meals., Residential tuition includes the academic course and excursions., Residential tuition includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch and the academic course., Commuter tuition includes excursions and weekday programming., All students receive college-readiness workshops.

    How to apply to Marine Biology Summer Course

    1. 1

      Open the official application portal and enter basic contact information.

    2. 2

      Confirm the verification email and complete the account details.

    3. 3

      Choose Create New Application from the dashboard.

    4. 4

      Select UC San Diego, a session, Marine Biology, and a tuition type.

    5. 5

      Complete the student information with the student present.

    6. 6

      Submit the application and pay the deposit and application fee.

    7. 7

      Complete any additional forms or supporting documents requested after review.

    What does Marine Biology Summer Course cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Marine organisms

    Study the anatomy, behavior, and ecological roles of vertebrates and invertebrates.

    Ocean ecosystems

    Explore habitat relationships, species interactions, and ecosystem functioning.

    Field and laboratory methods

    Practice dissections, observations, sampling, data collection, and interpretation.

    Marine conservation

    Assess pollution, climate impacts, biodiversity threats, and conservation responses.

    Study and career pathways

    Learn how marine scientists and conservation professionals apply ocean science.

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

    What is a typical day on Marine Biology Summer Course?

    A typical day during the program.

    9:00 a.m.

    Students begin their selected academic course with college-style, hands-on learning.

    1:30 p.m.

    Students join a recreational activity or course-related academic excursion.

    3:00 p.m.

    College-readiness or personal-development workshops follow the main course period.

    7:00 p.m.

    Residential students take part in clubs and organized evening activities.

    Who teaches on Marine Biology Summer Course?

    The named instructor is marine ecologist Fernanda Urrutia, who earned a PhD in Marine Biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and UC San Diego. Students also engage with marine scientists and conservation professionals to understand research and career pathways.

    Summer Springboard states that students learn from academics and professionals with relevant field experience.

    Where do students stay on Marine Biology Summer Course?

    Residential plan

    • Suite-style housing: Students share a room in a UC San Diego suite with common living space.
    • Full meal plan: Residential tuition includes all meals, generally served in the campus dining hall.
    • Live-in support: Program staff live on each floor and provide round-the-clock emergency support.
    • Weekend excursions: Residential tuition includes organized weekend trips around San Diego.

    Non-residential plan

    • Weekday attendance: Commuters attend programming from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.
    • Lunch and excursions: Commuter tuition includes lunch, the academic course, and weekday excursions.

    Residential suites are separated by gender and contain shared rooms, bathrooms, and common living space.

    What happens after Marine Biology Summer Course?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Use marine fieldwork to test interest in biology or environmental science.

    Build practical experience in ecological sampling and biodiversity analysis.

    Explore university study and research pathways in marine science.

    Learn about conservation and ocean-science careers from professionals.

    Receive a completion certificate and professor recommendation letter.

    The course does not award college credit at UC San Diego.

    Where does Marine Biology Summer Course take place?

    The course is based on the UC San Diego campus in San Diego, California. The setting places students near Scripps Oceanography, Birch Aquarium, La Jolla tide pools, marine reserves, and other coastal environments that support field-based learning.

    Summer Springboard operates the program independently of UC San Diego.

    Marine Biology Summer Course FAQs

    Students complete marine organism dissections, field observations, ecological sampling, data collection, and biodiversity analysis in coastal and laboratory-style settings.

    Students may choose residential or commuter tuition. Residential students stay in UC San Diego suite-style housing, while commuters attend weekday programming and leave at 5:00 p.m.

    Residential tuition includes all meals. Commuter tuition includes lunch during weekday programming.

    No college credit is awarded for this UC San Diego course. Students receive a completion certificate and a professor-completed recommendation letter.

    Summer Springboard offers need-based scholarships covering up to 30% of residential tuition or 60% of commuter tuition, alongside several stated discounts.

    Applicants should be entering Grades 9-12 and normally need a 3.0 GPA or local equivalent. Students starting high school in the fall and recent graduates may also qualify.

    The campus dining information lists vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal, and food-allergy accommodations.

    Summer Springboard operates the course. UC San Diego and its affiliated departments do not run or control the program.

    Alternatives to Marine Biology Summer Course

    Compare these related science programs if you want a different subject balance, age range, or campus experience.

    Alternatives to Marine Biology Summer Course

    Academic Insights – Biology

    Broader biology study in Cambridge

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

    Best for

    Students wanting broader biological study rather than a marine specialization.

    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

    • Terra Education
    • Terms & Conditions | Policies & Terms | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Tuition and Financial Aid FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • General Information FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Campus Specific FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Summer Springboard @ UC San Diego - Summer Program for High School Students
    • Marine Biology | UC San Diego | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
    • Tuition Protection Plan T&C
    • 2026 HS 2-week UC San Diego V2
    • Marine Biology | Course | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard

    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 content checked

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Tuition options verified

    • Session dates checked

    • Accommodation details reviewed

    • Application process verified

    • Refund terms 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.