If you love asking why living things do what they do, a fall biology program is a great way to keep that curiosity running while school is in session. These programs give you hands-on exposure to real biological questions, whether that means pipetting in a lab, analyzing ecological data, running a DNA gel, or learning to use bioinformatics tools.
Why choose a fall biology program?
Fall programs let you move at a steady pace. You still attend school, but you also get a semester-long window to learn lab techniques, practice scientific writing, and see how real research projects evolve. You also get to balance schoolwork and enrichment without the rush of an intensive summer course.
Some focus on molecular biology and lab skills, some center on ecology and fieldwork, and others combine data science with genetics or neuroscience. Many are run by universities, museums, hospitals, or research institutes, and they often include guest lectures, journal-club style meetings, and a final presentation or poster session.
For further information on fall programs in biology for high school students, please visit Horizon’s blog.
13 Fall Biology Programs for High School Students
1. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Programs
Location: Available remotely or on-site at one of NASA’s 10 field centers, depending on the project
Cost/Stipend: Participation is free; interns may receive a stipend based on their academic level and session length
Application Deadline: Varies by cohorts. Fall: May 22
Dates: Varies by cohort. Fall: 16-week program from September to December
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, U.S. citizens, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships for high school and college students interested in gaining experience in science, technology, engineering, and related fields. As an intern, you can work in areas such as space science, aeronautics, robotics, ecology, microbiology, information technology, finance, and communications.Depending on your assignment, you may assist with data analysis, support ongoing research, contribute to technology development, or help with mission planning. Interns often work alongside NASA professionals or in small teams, contributing to real projects. The program also includes virtual sessions with experts, including astronauts and scientists, offering additional insight into current work at NASA.
2. Cornell University Fall & Spring Study Program
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition is $1,940 per credit hour
Application Deadline: Varies by course; check specific deadlines per semester
Dates: August 25 – December 20 (tentative)
Eligibility: Open to high school and college students; prerequisites vary by course
The Cornell Fall & Spring Study program offers students the opportunity to enroll in regular university courses alongside Cornell undergraduate and graduate students. You can select from thousands of courses across disciplines, including biology and related fields, taught by Cornell faculty. You will earn official college credits that appear on a Cornell transcript, which can strengthen your college applications and resumes. The program emphasizes academic rigor and provides students with access to Ivy League educational resources. Each course has specific requirements and application deadlines; therefore, you should carefully review individual course details. Enrollment offers direct engagement with college-level material, faculty mentorship, and interaction with a diverse student body.
3. Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) — Online Biology
Location: Johns Hopkins CTY, Baltimore, MD (Online)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition fee per course, financial aid possible
Application Deadline: Rolling for fall session
Dates: September – December
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students meeting CTY test score or portfolio requirements
CTY’s online fall courses include Introduction to Biological Sciences for high school students. The program covers genetics, evolution, cellular biology, and ecology. Sessions combine lectures, discussions, and collaborative group projects, encouraging analytical thinking and the development of written scientific arguments. Successful completion earns a CTY certificate and may also qualify for potential advanced placement benefits.
4. Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program — Biology
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895; need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Multi-length courses are available throughout the year.
Eligibility: Students aged 13–19
The Dartmouth Pre-College Online Program gives students aged 13 and up the opportunity to take college-level courses remotely. These courses are available throughout the year and cover subjects such as Biology, Psychology, Finance, and Regenerative Medicine. You’ll receive guidance from mentors as you move through the material. Each course includes 20 to 30 hours of content, which you can complete at your own pace. The curriculum combines videos, interactive elements, and assignments designed to help you engage with the subject. At the end of the course, you’ll complete a capstone project and receive feedback on your work. Upon completion, you’ll earn a certificate from Dartmouth.
5. UC San Diego Bioengineering Research Scholars Program
Location: Online (with live Zoom sessions), UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: Tuition $2,700 for BE-BOAT; $2,600 for BE-ROW and BE-SHIP; no financial aid available; laboratory kits included but return required; estimated $50 for miscellaneous supplies
Application Deadline: September 13 (tentative)
Dates: Fall session courses run October 4 – November 22
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12; minimum 3.0 GPA; students must be 14+ years old for online courses
The UC San Diego Bioengineering Research Scholars program offers a progressive sequence of courses for high school students interested in pursuing a career in bioengineering. You start with BE-BOAT, which introduces core bioengineering principles through hands-on experiments using home lab kits. The final level, BE-SHIP, involves independently proposing and conducting a bioengineering research project in collaboration with UCSD labs, typically spanning a proposal phase in the fall, followed by research and presentation phases. The courses are delivered online with live sessions. You will receive lab kits to perform experiments at home, which must be returned at the end of the course.
6. Rice University Precollege Program
Location: Online (Rice University)
Cost/Stipend: $1,795 per course; need-based scholarships available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions year-round
Dates: Courses available year-round; flexible pacing allows study anytime
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
Rice University’s Precollege Program offers online courses designed for high school students interested in deepening their understanding of various subjects, including biology-related fields such as genome engineering, physiology, and medicine. Each course features dynamic video lessons led by Rice faculty, access to mentors for personalized support, and culminates in a capstone project demonstrating what students have learned. The capstone project can take various forms, including text, video, or presentations. Mentors provide feedback and guidance throughout the process. Upon completion, students receive a Certificate of Completion from Rice University, which can be used to complement college applications.
7. Bio-Medicine Saturday Academy — UNC Charlotte
Location: UNC Charlotte Woodward Building, Charlotte, NC, plus virtual sessions
Cost/Stipend: $125 Application Fee per participant, with a non-refundable deposit of $50.00 for each enrollment
Application Deadline: Closed for Fall 2025; waitlist accepted
Dates: Saturdays, August – November; Virtual – Thursdays, September – December
Eligibility: Grades 9–12 high school students interested in biology and medicine
This hands-on enrichment sequence covers medical biology topics using labs, interactive seminars, and group projects. You will gain exposure to disease pathology, anatomy, and pharmacology via instruction and team-based learning.
Two virtual Thursday sessions supplement in-person activities, featuring guest speakers and lab simulations. Ideal for Charlotte-region students seeking applied learning and networking opportunities. The cohort is capped at 25 for personalized attention.
8. ASU Prep Digital — Biology Courses
Location: Online (Arizona State University affiliated)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-free for state-funded students. Paid for students outside of Arizona
Application Deadline: Open enrollment; rolling admissions
Dates: Academic year with flexible pacing
Eligibility: K–12 students; high school includes accelerated and concurrent college credit options
ASU Prep Digital is an accredited, tuition-free online public school connected to Arizona State University, designed to provide K–12 students with personalized learning pathways that accelerate college and career readiness. High school students can take concurrent courses to earn both high school and university credits, aiming to graduate with at least 12 ASU college credits.
The program features live group webinars, one-on-one teacher support, and mentoring through success coaches who assist with academic progress and college/career planning. University professors develop coursework materials and provide office-hour support, enhancing the educational experience with college-level rigor.
9. Internships at Dolphin Research Center
Location: Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, FL
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: June 1 for the fall term (tentative)
Dates: September – December; duration is 16–18 weeks
Eligibility: All high school students who have English language proficiency and are physically fit (due to the nature of the work)
The Dolphin Research Center offers a structured internship program for high school students interested in marine biology and the daily operations of a marine mammal facility. Internships are specific to individual departments and typically run for 16 to 18 weeks. As an intern, you’ll work about 40 hours per week — spending most of your time in your assigned department and one day assisting with broader facility operations.
Departments include Animal Care and Training, Education, Research, Medical, Information Technology, and Visual Communications. You may also be assigned additional tasks depending on the needs of the center and your particular strengths or interests. This program provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in a working marine environment while exploring a potential career path.
10. Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology)
Location: Bronx Zoo and Fordham University, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (likely free or sponsored by Pinkerton Foundation)
Application Deadline: Not specified (apply early, program runs in the fall semester)
Dates: Fall program meets Saturdays, September – December
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors residing in the Bronx, who are comfortable with indoor/outdoor settings
Project TRUE is a youth development and urban ecology research program where Bronx high school sophomores and juniors engage in authentic field research on local wildlife and ecosystems. You will investigate topics like mammal distribution, bird communities, water quality, and invasive species management. You will use real scientific methods to collect and analyze data, developing science communication skills.
You will work in small teams mentored by Fordham University undergraduates and staff from the Wildlife Conservation Society. The program builds a strong community among participants with opportunities for ongoing involvement through local science mentoring networks after program completion. The fall session is held on Saturdays and follows the summer research period, continuing research and skills development in a structured program format.
11. Ecampus at Oregon State University
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies. Calculate here
Application Deadline: Currently closed. More info here
Dates: Fall courses start from September 24
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Oregon State University’s Ecampus allows high school students to take online college-level courses and earn university credit. To enroll, you’ll need to apply as a nondegree-seeking student, which lets you register for classes without being in a full degree program.
This option gives you access to a broad selection of courses that may not be offered at your high school. Subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Political Science, and more. With over 100 courses available, you can explore academic areas of interest while gaining experience with the expectations of college-level work.
12. Introduction to Biology — Open & Free (OLI by Carnegie Mellon University)
Location: Online, self-paced
Cost/Stipend: Free (no tuition or fees)
Application Deadline: None; enroll anytime
Dates: Self-paced, study at your own schedule
Eligibility: Open to all learners, including high school students
This course offers an introduction to biology from the cellular to ecosystem levels. It covers overarching life sciences theories, fundamental processes of life, principles of molecular and cellular biology, evolution, genetics, and ecology.
The course integrates interactive practice problems, video lectures, and assessments designed to build a solid foundation for future biology study. Although not credit-bearing, this free course from Carnegie Mellon University’s Open Learning Initiative provides a rigorous university-level education accessible to motivated high school students.
13. BIO 100 — The Living World — Arizona State University Universal Learner Courses
Location: Online, Arizona State University Universal Learner Courses
Cost/Stipend: $25 registration fee + $400 tuition
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Dates: On-demand, flexible completion; course length options of 8 or 16 weeks
Eligibility: High school students seeking college credit and foundational biology knowledge
BIO 100 explores fundamental concepts in general biology, including biodiversity, evolution, cellular and molecular biology, ecology, and human anatomy and physiology. The course uses an innovative, interactive “learn-by-doing” approach with problem-solving activities, game-like simulations, and virtual field trips to engage students deeply with the material. It offers a personalized science learning journey aligned with current scientific understanding and methods.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, and ecology, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Arizona State University