Application deadline
8 May 2026
2026 domestic application deadline; no 2027 deadline is announced.
In-person Program
The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience
USC’s neuroscience summer course combines brain science, hands-on experiments and a mystery case that students resolve through a scientific mock trial.
Last verified: 5 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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The Brain at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
High school; completed ninth grade
Age range / Year group
Ages 15-18
Location / Region
Los Angeles, California, United States
Cost
$8,130; $11,570; $12,208
Duration
4 weeks
Format
In-person
NeuroscienceBiologyEthics
Accommodation: Shared university residence hall rooms
Meals: Residential: three dining hall meals daily
Campus experience: USC labs, libraries and field trips
Credit / Outcome: Three units of elective credit
Tutors / Faculty: USC faculty and experienced professionals
Sessions / Cadence: Daily 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; 5–6 instructional hours
Main output: Lab reports and scientific mock trial
The Brain summary
The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience connects the biology of the nervous system to questions about behavior, learning, aging and brain health.
Students conduct collaborative experiments, visit USC laboratories and collect evidence for a guided mystery case that culminates in a scientific mock trial.
It suits students who want to test their interest in brain science through practical work, scientific writing and team presentations.
What is The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience?
The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience is a USC Pre-College summer course exploring how the nervous system shapes behavior, memory and learning. It combines daily lectures with hands-on laboratory experiments and visits to USC research laboratories.
Students investigate brain structure and function, aging, neurologic dysfunction and neuroethics while developing experimental and scientific communication skills. A guided mystery case links the practical work together, ending with a mock trial in which teams present and defend their findings.
Why Succeed highlights The Brain
The mystery case gives laboratory experiments a shared purpose and asks students to justify conclusions with data.
Professional lab reports and a final scientific defense combine practical investigation with clear communication.
The curriculum progresses from neurons and synapses to genetics, brain health and neuroethics.
USC laboratory visits and guest speakers connect classroom study with research environments and college pathways.
Successful completion earns three units of elective credit rather than participation recognition alone.
Who is The Brain for?
Best for
Students curious about neuroscience who enjoy experiments, collaborative problem solving and explaining scientific evidence.
Not ideal if
You want a light enrichment experience or independent research mentorship; the course has a substantial daily class commitment and a guided team project.
Is The Brain worth it?
This course offers a concrete way to test whether studying neuroscience appeals to you. Its combination of experiments, laboratory reports and a final scientific defense gives students several ways to practice thinking and communicating like a scientist.
The financial commitment is substantial, and USC does not offer financial aid for its summer programs. Judge the value through the learning experience and your interest in the subject, while remembering that credit transfer depends on the receiving college and participation does not guarantee admission.
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$8,130; $11,570; $12,208; includes Tuition for the four-week course., Textbooks, course materials and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and recreational trips., Student health center access., Residential pricing: shared residence hall accommodation., Residential pricing: dining hall and specified field-trip meals., International pricing: I-20 administration and mandatory student health insurance..
Accommodation
Shared university residence hall rooms
Meals
Residential: three dining hall meals daily
Supervision or safety information
Residential advisors live in the halls and are available at all times. Residence and dining halls require USCard access, and the campus has 24/7 public safety patrols.
Provider details
Review the USC Pre-College provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
4 weeks; Los Angeles, California, United States.
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 programsHow much preparation does The Brain need?
Effort level
High, with a full class day and collaborative laboratory work.
Best started
Begin application preparation when November information arrives, allowing several weeks for the essay, recommendation and transcript requests.
Main challenge
Turning experimental observations into a clear, defensible explanation.
Typical preparation
Review neurons, synapses and basic biological concepts before the session.
Plan who will provide your recommendation and arrange a school transcript upload.
Bring a laptop and the required laboratory clothing.
International families should plan several months for immigration documents and visa arrangements.
Useful if
You want to explore neuroscience before choosing future coursework.
What do students do on The Brain?
You connect lectures about the nervous system with experiments, laboratory visits and a guided mystery case. The final task is to explain and defend your team's solution using evidence gathered during the course.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Build foundations in neurons, membranes, synapses and action potentials.
- 2
Conduct collaborative experiments and learn to write lab contracts and reports.
- 3
Explore learning, memory and movement through laboratory work, guest speakers and USC lab visits.
- 4
Study senses, brain anatomy and stress through dissections and experiential activities.
- 5
Analyze DNA samples and other evidence to investigate the mystery case.
- 6
Present and defend your findings in a mock trial-style final presentation.
The Brain dates and deadlines
Past
The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience — 2026 domestic
22 June-17 July 2026
Domestic residential and commuter session.
The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience — 2026 international
22 June-17 July 2026
International residential session.
The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience — Summer 2027
21 June-15 July 2027
USC Summer Programs calendar; application information coming in November.
Final presentations
16 July 2026
Scientific case presentations in the 2026 course.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 8 May 2026 | Local | Past | |
The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience — 2026 domestic | 22 June-17 July 2026 | Local | Past | |
The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience — 2026 international | 22 June-17 July 2026 | Local | Past | |
The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience — Summer 2027 | 21 June-15 July 2027 | Local | Upcoming | |
Final presentations | 16 July 2026 | Local | Past |
Eligibility and requirements
Domestic or international high school students.
Complete at least ninth grade before the program starts.
Pursue a rigorous high school curriculum.
Attend all required class meetings.
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through accepted tests or waiver.
Commuters must live with a parent or guardian in eligible counties.
International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.
How much does The Brain cost?
Application fee
$85 — Nonrefundable.
Funding or discounts
- Domestic commuter: $8,130 — 2026 estimated program total.
- Domestic residential: $11,570 — 2026 estimate including room and board.
- International residential: $12,208 — 2026 estimated USC total.
- Deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; applied toward the program total.
- Financial aid: Not offered
What's included
Tuition for the four-week course., Textbooks, course materials and academic field trips., On-campus social activities and recreational trips., Student health center access., Residential pricing: shared residence hall accommodation., Residential pricing: dining hall and specified field-trip meals., International pricing: I-20 administration and mandatory student health insurance.
How to apply to The Brain
- 1
Create an account in the USC Summer Programs application portal using an email you check frequently.
- 2
Select The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience among your course choices.
- 3
Write your own 300–500 word application essay.
- 4
Request an online recommendation from a teacher, counselor or mentor.
- 5
Ask a school administrator to upload your PDF high school transcript.
- 6
Provide accepted English proficiency documentation or a waiver if you are an international applicant.
- 7
Pay the $85 nonrefundable application fee, complete every task and click Submit.
- 8
Monitor the portal and your email for admission communications.
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What does The Brain cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Week 1: Foundations of Neuroscience
Study neurons, membranes, synapses, ion flow, action potentials and aging while developing experimental and laboratory-report skills.
Week 2: Communication and Control
Explore neurotransmitters, learning, memory and movement through laboratories, guest speakers, USC lab visits and the California Science Center.
Week 3: Senses, Speech and Stress
Investigate senses, brain anatomy, speech, neurodiversity and stress through dissections, laboratories, immersive art and rock climbing.
Week 4: Genetics and the Mystery Case
Study genetics and brain health, analyze DNA evidence, explore sensory systems through indoor skydiving and defend the mystery-case solution.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on The Brain?
A typical day during the program.
Classes and labs
Daily lectures and activities include breaks, with 5–6 instructional hours per day.
Campus study
Students may study in campus libraries or use the gym.
Residential activities
Supervised social activities and recreational trips complement academic study.
Residential curfew
Residents must return to their assigned hall and observe nightly room rules.
Who teaches on The Brain?
USC Summer Programs courses are taught by USC faculty and experienced professionals from the university's academic community. This neuroscience course also includes guest speakers on neuroscience and college pathways.
Where do students stay on The Brain?
Residential plan
- Shared residence hall rooms: Students live in USC residence halls with USCard-controlled access.
- Dining hall meal plan: Room and board covers daily dining hall meals and specified field-trip meals.
- Residential supervision: Residential advisors live in the halls and are available at all times.
- Activities and campus resources: Students can join supervised activities and use campus libraries, computers and health services.
Non-residential plan
- Local commuting: Eligible students live with a parent or guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County.
- Classes and activities: Commuters attend academic sessions and may join permitted evening activities and weekend excursions.
- Meal purchases: Commuters purchase meals separately; commuter meal plans are not offered.
Roommate requests cannot be accommodated; assignments use the gender identification submitted in the application.
What happens after The Brain?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Earn three units of elective credit upon successful completion.
Develop laboratory reports and a scientific defense presentation.
Request an official USC transcript showing your grade.
Explore neuroscience as a possible future field of study.
Build faculty connections that may lead to recommendation letters.
Recommendation letters are not guaranteed, and credit transfer depends on the receiving institution.
Where does The Brain take place?
The course takes place at USC in Los Angeles, with access to University Park Campus facilities and visits to USC research laboratories. Course activities include the California Science Center and other experiential field trips.
International participants arrange their own travel; early arrival and late departure accommodations are not offered.
The Brain FAQs
Topics include memory and learning, brain structure and function, neurologic dysfunction, lifespan development and aging, and neuroethics. Laboratory activities connect these topics to experimental evidence.
You analyze evidence from a guided mystery case and defend your solution in a mock trial-style presentation using data from your laboratory work.
Successful completion earns three units of college elective credit. Other colleges decide whether to accept those credits.
Eligible local students may commute while living with a parent or legal guardian in Los Angeles or Orange County. International participants and domestic participants living abroad must reside on campus.
Residential advisors live in the halls and are available at all times. Residence and dining halls require USCard access, and the campus has 24/7 public safety patrols.
USC Summer Programs does not offer financial aid or assistance.
Bring your own laptop, closed-toed shoes and long pants, dresses or skirts. You may bring a personal lab coat, but reusable lab coats are provided when needed.
No. Participation does not guarantee undergraduate admission to USC or its schools, and students must apply through the separate undergraduate admissions process.
Alternatives to The Brain
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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 & verification
Source types reviewed
- Summer Programs Application Management
- USC Summer Programs Transcripts | USC Pre-College
- Visa and Immigration Guide | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs International Application | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Tuition and Fees | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Policies | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs FAQs | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Residential and Commuter Experience | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Overview | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs Application and Admission | USC Pre-College
- USC Summer Programs | USC Pre-College
- Neuroscience Summer Program | USC Pre-College
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 5 Oct 2026)
Official course page checked
Application requirements reviewed
Session calendar checked
Historical fees identified
College credit terms reviewed
Residential safety policies reviewed
International travel guidance 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.
The Brain: Introduction to Neuroscience
by USC Pre-College
Upcoming
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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