Biology programs for high school students offer a hands-on approach to mastering advanced concepts in life sciences, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. These programs allow you to dive deep into specialized fields, from molecular biology to ecology, fostering a skill set that includes critical thinking, lab techniques, and problem-solving.
By engaging in challenging experiments and collaborative projects, you’ll develop a nuanced understanding of biological systems, setting a strong foundation for future academic and professional pursuits. Compared to in-person programs, online biology programs provide a flexible platform to explore advanced topics with interactive tools and virtual labs that replicate real-world experiences from anywhere in the world.
Here are 14 online programs in biology for high school students.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program — Biology track
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research.
Horizon provides an array of specialized courses such as Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanisms, CRISPR and Gene Editing Techniques, Biotechnology and Machine Learning, Protein Structure and Function, and the Bio-Industry landscape. Additionally, Horizon Academic offers an extensive catalog of 57 neuroscience subfields, delving into areas like neurobiology, social neuroscience, and an in-depth exploration of neurodegenerative disorders.
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research, you’ll be paired with a professor or PhD scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields under the guidance of a top scholar. Apply here!
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Social Sciences
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
2. Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging offers a two-week virtual internship focused on AI applications in healthcare. The program includes a combination of expert-led lectures, personalized mentoring, and team-based research projects, giving you practical experience in the field. Virtual “Career Lunch and Learn” sessions feature guest speakers from academia, industry, government, and non-profits, giving you a holistic look at possible career paths.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Medicine, Biology
Cost/Stipend: Free, unpaid internship. Students will receive a certificate upon completion and the potential to extend their internship
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates: June 17 – 28
Eligibility: U.S. high school students over 14 years old
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Biology Track
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program provides high school students with an immersive 12-week research experience, focusing on personalized one-on-one mentorship. You will select from a diverse range of subjects, including biology, medicine, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more.
Working with a PhD mentor, you will design and execute an independent research project. By the end of the program, you will have developed a comprehensive research paper reflecting your findings and insights. More details about the application can be found here!
Subject Areas: STEM, Social Sciences, Humanities, Biology
Cost: $2,990 for the Individual Research Program. Full financial aid available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. November 24 for the upcoming winter cohort
Program Dates: The summer cohort runs from June to August, the Fall cohort from September to December, the Winter cohort from December to February, Spring from March to June. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4). No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
4. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University
Stanford’s Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics internships aim to give high school and community college students an interdisciplinary research experience. You can explore various fields, including biology, information and communication science, engineering, linguistics, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, technology, philosophy, and design. The program aims to develop skills in research, analysis, and writing.
The program highlights the integration of STEM and the humanities. You’ll benefit from mentorship provided by students, faculty, and staff from the Stanford Compression Forum, as well as individuals from affiliated organizations, ensuring you receive guidance and support throughout your biology research experience.
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Social Science
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded + $50 application fee. Need-based stipends available
Application Deadline: March 1
Program dates: June 17 – August 9
Eligibility: Students in grades 11–12 at the time of application who are at least 14 years old, including international students
5. The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Science Program (JHIBS)
The JHIBS 5-week virtual research program is designed for high school students from underrepresented communities, focusing on promoting diversity in the neurological sciences. In the virtual program, you’ll attend presentations on neuroscience and learn basic lab techniques. You’ll also have the chance to conduct basic experiments at home. The program also offers professional development training and mentoring sessions.
Subject Areas: Neuroscience
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded. Virtual interns receive a stipend of $500
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: 5 weeks between July – August
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors from the U.S. who belong to underrepresented populations
6. Cornell Precollege Studies: Introductory Biology: Ecology and the Environment
Cornell’s Precollege Program offers an introductory course in biology and ecology for high school students. This course examines the interactions between organisms and their environment across various scales, including populations, communities, and ecosystems. You will apply ecological principles to address significant contemporary issues, such as population dynamics, disease ecology, biodiversity, invasive species, global change, and other aspects of environmental sustainability.
Additionally, you will use experimental and synthetic approaches to analyze patterns and processes at various ecological scales. You will also identify the causes and consequences of complex ecological relationships. This course is worth 3 credits.
Subject Areas: Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science
Cost: $5,520
Application Deadline: December 2
Program Dates: January 2 – 18
Eligibility: High school students who have completed sophomore year and are at least 15 years old at the start of the class
7. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes (Bioscience courses)
Stanford’s Pre-College Summer Institute provides various programs for students looking for a rigorous educational experience. The program focuses on academic, social, and extracurricular growth. You can explore several biology offerings, such as Equity in Medicine, Investigations in Genetics, and Surgical Technology. In Equity in Medicine, you will learn science-backed strategies for making healthcare more equitable. Investigations in Genetics will allow you to explore topics such as how genetic mutation affects disease incidence. Upon successfully finishing the program, you will earn a certificate of completion.
Subject Areas: Bioscience, Medicine, Engineering, Neuroscience, Genetics, and more
Cost: $3,050. Need-based financial aid is available
Application Deadline: March 29
Program Dates:
- June 17 – 28
- July 8 – 19
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-11
8. Georgetown University’s Pre-College course in Medical Research
This pre-college program is designed for students passionate about medicine and medical research. Throughout the program, you will explore clinical research, the ethics surrounding it, and specialized topics in cancer research. You’ll learn how to read research articles and formulate your own research question. You will also undertake a capstone research project on cancer research, creating a video presentation that synthesizes research papers and demonstrates your learning.
Subject Areas: Medicine
Cost: $1,795, financial aid available in the form of scholarships
Application Deadlines: One week before the start date
Program Dates: Multiple 1, 2, and 4-week session options to choose from!
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
9. Biotech Research Remote Program at the Boston Leadership Institute
The Boston Leadership Institute offers remote programs in biotech and biomedical research for high school students interested in biology. Under the guidance of Dr. Maria Lazebnik, a professor at Bentley University, you will dive into practical laboratory experiments that will strengthen your lab and research skills. The program ships necessary lab equipment to all remote participants. The Biotech Research program focuses on biotechnological innovations, including genetic engineering, drug development, and the application of biotechnology in various industries.
Subject Areas: Medicine
Cost: $1,200 per program
Application Deadline: There is no deadline, but the institute recommends students submit their applications early
Program Dates:
- Biotech Research: July 1 – 12
- Biomedical & Surgical Research: July 8 – 19
Eligibility: Rising 8-12 grade students
10. University of Washington’s Young Scholars Program-REACH
In the REACH program, you will explore the fascinating fields of neuroscience and neural engineering, focusing on topics like neuroethics, scientific communication, and innovations in brain-computer interfaces. The program aims to lay the groundwork for future college studies in STEM subjects. It is a non-credit program with an online option for students unable to participate in the in-person program!
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, Neural Engineering, Ethics
Cost: $100 for the virtual program
Application Deadline: March 15
Program Dates: July 15 – 19
Eligibility: High school students
11. Columbia University’s Pre-College Online Summer Program
Columbia University offers a variety of pre-college programs for high school students, including the Online Summer Program, which features over 40 courses across diverse disciplines. Among the biology courses available are Cell and Molecular Biology of Medicine, Medicine as a Career Choice, and The Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. In the Learning and Memory course, you’ll learn about the cellular and molecular processes that allow memories to form. The Cell and Molecular Biology of Medicine class will explore how treatments like antibiotics, chemotherapy, and psychiatric drugs work.
Subject Areas: Biology, Neuroscience, Medicine, Neurobiology
Cost:
- $2,810 – $3,960 per session, depending on length of the course (excluding activity, health services, and technology fees)
- A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required, which will be credited toward the total program cost
- $80 application fee
- There may be additional course material fees
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates:
- Session A : July 1 – 12
- Session B : July 15 – 26
- Session C : August 5 – 9
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 to 12
12. Summer @Brown Online: Biological and Natural Sciences Track
Summer@Brown Online provides an extensive selection of over 80 courses across multiple disciplines, such as biotechnology, business, literature, political science, and performing arts. Emphasizing Brown University’s Open Curriculum, these courses allow you to learn without the pressure of grades. For those interested in biology, the offerings include courses like Cancer Biology: Discovering Molecular Mechanisms & Novel Therapeutic Strategies, Psychopathology: Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness, and Animal Minds: Comparative Neuroanatomy and Animal Behavior. You will learn about the scientific process, experimental techniques used in the field, and how to analyze scientific literature.
Subject Areas: Medicine, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology
Cost: $3,094 — $5,998, depending on length of course. Scholarships available
Application Deadline: May 10
Program Dates: Multiple 2, 3, 4 and 6-week options available between June and July
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12, aged 14–18
13. miRcore Computational Biology Research Camps
This virtual camp is designed for high school students with an interest in math, science, medicine, and computational research. You will explore the significance of the genome and transcriptome in relation to diseases and their symptoms. The camp emphasizes hands-on experience in computational biology, guiding you to analyze patient RNA expression data to identify RNA biomarkers associated with specific conditions.
On the first day, you will work in small groups to select a disease to investigate, focusing on identifying potential novel diagnostics or treatment strategies. You’ll utilize the same research tools that scientists use, adopting an approach that encourages exploration rather than seeking definitive answers.
Subject Areas: Math, Medicine, Computer Science
Cost: $680
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates:
- June 17 – 21
- June 24 – 28
- July 22 – 26
Eligibility: High school students, including incoming 9th graders
14. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth AP Biology Virtual Course
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth offers an online AP Biology course for academically advanced high school students. This course aims to deepen your understanding of high school biology concepts, aligning with topics typically covered in a first-year university biology curriculum. The course includes a laboratory component designed to meet College Board standards, providing a foundation for the AP Biology exam.
Instruction is delivered through a combination of online lectures, readings, laboratory exercises, homework assignments, and assessments that mimic the AP exam format. Key themes covered in the course include biochemistry, energy transfer, cellular structure and specialization, mitosis and meiosis, genetics, and ecology. You will have the option to schedule one-on-one virtual sessions with your instructor for personalized support and clarification of course material.
Subject Areas: Biology
Cost: $1,864. Financial aid available
Application Deadline: January 5
Program Dates: January 21 – April 13
Eligibility: Students in grade 9 and above who have completed Algebra I
Image Source – Johns Hopkins Logo
