A marine biology pre-college program is a great option if you’re a high school student interested in studying marine ecosystems and understanding oceanic processes. These programs let you research marine species, test water quality, and examine ecological relationships. You’ll use tools like microscopes, sampling kits, and mapping software to collect data, analyze results, and apply scientific methods.
These programs often involve fieldwork in coastal zones or labs. You’ll practice species identification, habitat surveys, and population tracking. In labs, you might study DNA, conduct water tests, or model ocean processes to grasp how biological and environmental factors shape marine systems.
To help you get started, here are 10 marine biology pre-college programs for high school students!
10 Marine Biology Pre-College Programs for High Schoolers
1. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an 8-week paid summer program run by the American Fisheries Society. As a Hutton Scholar, you’ll work closely with a local fisheries professional who will mentor you throughout the program. You’ll gain hands-on experience in marine and freshwater environments through field and lab research, and participate in resource conservation and management projects.
You’ll also engage in practical activities like electrofishing, specimen analysis, data processing, and projects focused on aquatic vegetation and fish habitat restoration. The mentorship and field experience make this program a strong starting point if you’re considering a future in environmental or marine biology.
Location: Placements are available within a 45-minute commute of the student’s residence.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. $3,000 stipend and an all-expenses paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit conducted at the University of Arkansas.
Application Deadline: January 19
Dates: June-August (8 weeks)
Eligibility: Current high school students who are at least 16 and live and are residents of the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico
2. Geosciences Bridge Program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
The Geosciences Bridge Program at UMES is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the NOAA Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (LMRCSC). It offers hands-on learning opportunities in marine biology, marine biochemistry, marine geology, physical oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and GIS/Remote Sensing techniques.
As a participant, you’ll take two college-level courses for credit, attend faculty-led lectures, and go on field trips. You’ll engage in practical activities like electrofishing, specimen analysis, data processing, and projects focused on aquatic vegetation and fish habitat restoration.
Location: University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Stipend: No cost. $500 stipend per week, with free housing, meals, and transportation.
Application Deadline: May 31
Dates: July 1-August 9
Eligibility: High school seniors entering their first year of an undergraduate degree program in geosciences can apply (preference will be given to students entering the institutions listed here). Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have a minimum 2.7 GPA.
3. UC San Diego Research Scholars: Marine Science
UCSD’s Pre-College Marine Science Research Scholars Program offers high school students hands-on experience in marine science through three tiers of courses. Tier 1 introduces you to marine biology and related fields, covering ecosystem dynamics and environmental issues through online and in-person classes.
Tier 2 provides research experience alongside graduate students at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, with projects on coastal ecology, coral reef restoration, and more. Field excursions are included, with some projects adapted for remote participation. Tier 3 focuses on developing scientific writing allowing you the opportunity to publish research in the Marine Science Research Scholars Journal.
Location: University of California, San Diego. There are online course options available as well.
Cost: Varies depending on the course selected. More information here.
Application deadline: May-end (residential) | Mid-June (online). This is tentative, based on previous years.
Program dates: The program will be conducted over three weeks in July, tentatively.
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
4. Brown Pre-college Research Methods in Marine Science
Brown’s Pre-College Research Methods in Marine Science course introduces you to key aspects of ocean science, with a focus on marine research and analyzing peer-reviewed journal articles. You’ll learn from science faculty, researchers, and Save the Bay staff about methods used in water data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
You’ll also explore the four branches of oceanography – physical, chemical, biological, and geological and understand how living and nonliving factors shape marine systems. The course explores the diversity of coastal habitats and examines the role of estuaries like Narragansett Bay in maintaining marine ecosystem health.
Location: Brown University, Providence RI
Cost: $5,534 + $150 (residential 2-week program cost + course fee)
Application Deadline: May 9
Program Dates: June 23 — July 3
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible.
5. Shoals Marine Laboratory High School Courses (Cornell SCE)
Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island, Maine, offers pre-college programs where you can gain hands-on marine science experience while earning Cornell University credits. Through fieldwork and lab activities, you’ll explore marine biology and conservation in a practical setting. The program offers several course options:
- Marine Environmental Science (4 credit, two-week summer course)
- Introduction to the Biology of Sharks, Skates, and Rays (2 credit, one-week summer course)
- Marine Vertebrates of the Gulf of Maine (2 credit, one-week summer course)
You’ll engage in activities like deploying oceanographic equipment to collect water samples, exploring intertidal zones, observing seal and seabird colonies, dissecting sharks and rays, fishing, and studying whales in their natural habitat.
Location: Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island, Maine
Cost: $1,840 (tuition) + $225 (room & board per night) + $400.00 (program fee)
Application Deadline: first-come, first-served.
Program Dates: Varies based on the course selected
Eligibility: Must have completed grades,10, 11 or 12, and received the equivalent of a B- or above in two year-long high school courses in science.
6. UConn PreCollege Marine Biology
UConn’s Pre-College Marine Biology program offers a hands-on introduction to ocean and coastal ecosystems. Over a week, you’ll gain practical experience in marine science through activities like studying fish diversity in a local cove, exploring rocky intertidal zones, and assessing the health of seagrass and seaweed populations.
You’ll conduct plankton tows, examine tidal pools, and perform dissections to understand marine animal physiology. The program also teaches you how to use instruments and sensors to collect data on the chemical and physical properties of marine environments. Throughout the week, you’ll apply mathematics and reasoning to interpret data, test hypotheses, and develop critical thinking skills.
Location: University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT
Cost: $2,150 for payments after April 1. $2,050 for payments before April 1
Application Deadline: May 1 (tentative)
Program Dates: June 22 — 28
Eligibility: High school students with 2 years of high school science and math through Algebra II with a grade of C or higher can part-take in this program.
7. University of Miami Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation
The University of Miami’s Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation class offers an in-depth introduction to marine mammal science. You’ll explore key topics like taxonomy, physiology, behavior, and conservation challenges through lectures, discussions, and primary research literature.
The program also includes career guidance, guest lectures from experts, and educational media, giving you a well-rounded view of marine mammal science. Field trips play a central role, allowing you to observe marine mammals in their natural habitats and apply what you’ve learned in real-world settings.
Location: University of Miami, Miami, FL
Cost: $9,532 + $450 (Marine Science Exploration Fee)
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: June 28 — July 18
Eligibility: Current sophomores or juniors in high school with a grade point average of at least 3.0 can apply.
8. Johns Hopkins University Introduction to Experimental Design in Biology
Johns Hopkins University’s Introduction to Experimental Design in Biology course focuses on the fundamentals of designing experiments, particularly in marine science. You’ll learn how scientists plan studies to test hypotheses and gather data, covering topics like ocean acidification and coral reef genetics.
You’ll also gain hands-on experience with lab techniques like gel electrophoresis, PCR, and gene expression analysis. These skills are essential for studying genetic diversity in marine species and understanding how aquatic organisms respond to environmental changes.
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (residential) with commuter and online options.
Cost: $6,140 (residential) | $4,660 (commuter) | $1,950 (online)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions. June 23 — July 2 | July 7–17 | July 21–31
Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to apply.
9. Keller BLOOM Program by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
The Keller BLOOM (Bigelow Laboratory Orders of Magnitude) Program gives high school students hands-on experience in ocean science. You’ll work alongside professional researchers to explore the biological, geological, and chemical aspects of the local marine environment. Through both field and lab work, you’ll take part in field sampling, data collection, and analysis.
You’ll learn to use oceanographic equipment for data gathering, followed by three days of lab work focused on analyzing your findings. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research results, gaining experience in scientific communication.
Location: Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: April 14
Program Dates: May 18 — May 23
Eligibility: High school juniors in Maine can apply.
10. Roger Williams University’s (RWU) Marine Biology Camp
Roger Williams University’s (RWU) Marine Biology Camp offers high school students a week-long residential experience focused on marine biology. You’ll explore coastal ecosystems, food webs, and marine life through field excursions, lab work, and expert-led seminars.
Throughout the week, you’ll take part in oceanographic sampling, kayak in bay ecosystems, snorkel along barrier beaches, and go on a whale-watching trip off Cape Cod. In the lab, you’ll practice plankton sampling and study the biology of shellfish and finfish. Guest seminars will cover key marine biology topics like marine mammal protection, invasive species, overfishing, and aquaculture.
Location: Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI
Cost: $1995 (includes lodging, meals, instruction, materials, and field trips)
Application Deadline: First come-first serve.
Dates: Multiple sessions offered. More information here.
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 15 and 17 can apply.
Bonus —
11. Horizon Academic Research Program — Biology track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students in areas such as data science, biology, psychology, and more. You can choose between quantitative or qualitative research, working closely with a professor or Ph.D. mentor from a top university.
During the program, you’ll conduct in-depth research and develop a 20-page research paper, which can be submitted for publication. This experience provides an opportunity to deepen your knowledge in a specific field while receiving beneficial feedback and a letter of recommendation to support your college applications. Apply here!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Spring: February 16; Summer: February 16 (early), March 23 (priority), April 20 (regular-I), May 18 (regular-II)!
Program Dates: Spring: March 3; Summer: June 16! Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
12. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Biology Track
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with the opportunity to work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor on an independent research project for 12 weeks. You can choose to focus your research on marine biology, among other subjects such as biology, medicine, data science, and economics.
Throughout the program, you’ll develop your research skills by conducting original studies, analyzing data, and writing a research paper. This program offers a practical chance to explore marine biology in depth, helping you prepare for future academic pursuits in science and research. Find more details about the application here!
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I priority application deadline is March 9! Apply here!
Program Dates: Summer: June – August, fall: September – December, winter: December – February, spring: March – June.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply!
Image source: University of California San Diego
