Immersive, Real-World Research Applications
The Research Scholars programs at UC San Diego provide students with unparalleled educational opportunities that leverage the intellectual capital of an internationally ranked research university. Students assume the role of researcher, becoming fully immersed in projects that have real-world applications.
Dive into unique science research learning experiences that teach highly sought-after skills that can make students more competitive candidates for college admissions and internship opportunities. From Bioengineering and Life Sciences to Marine Science, explore a topic and apply today!
Winter and Spring courses are now open for enrollment!
Life Sciences
In partnership with the Boz Institute, explore fundamental biology topics, modern laboratory techniques, and relevant bioinformatics and statistical applications. Learn to synthesize life science fundamentals, review literature, formulate hypotheses and design experiments, collect and process samples, execute experiments, analyze data, and showcase your work through poster presentations attended by local scientists and industry leaders.
January 9, 2023 – March 15, 2023
Online Monday & Wednesdays 4:30–6:30pm PST
Tuition: $2,000
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Neurobiology and Metagenomics introduces students to neurobiology and metagenomics research and gene expression regulation of female and male fruit flies exposed to environmental stressors relevant to pollution and climate change. This course incorporates multiple research methods, such as nucleic acid extractions, shallow RNA sequencing, nanopore metagenomics sequencing, and behavioral assays.
January 10, 2023 – March 16, 2023
Hybrid: Online Tuesdays 4:30–6:30pm PST. In person at the lab Thursdays 4:30–6:30pm PST.
Tuition: $3,000
Marine Science
Gain foundational knowledge in ocean sciences, specifically marine biology and related disciplines. Explore the diversity of life and how biological, chemical and physical processes drive ecosystem dynamics in a marine environment. Investigate relevant, contemporary environmental issues and how to build a career in marine science.
- Seafood Fraud Detectives provides a foundation in fisheries biology, specifically the biology and management of commercially important freshwater and marine fishes of the Eastern Pacific such as tuna, salmon, halibut, “cod” and yellowtail. The course explores marine fish systematics and ecology, commercially important fish species, seafood fraud, and sustainable seafood practices.
February 16, 2023 – March 13, 2023
Online Mondays & Wednesdays 4–5pm PST.
Tuition: $1,500
*This course is a prerequisite to participate in Advanced Fraud Detectives.
- Communicating Science Through Art teaches students how to translate scientific research into a digital medium (e.g. comic, video, infographic) to connect with and inform our modern society. In this course, participants will summarize and disseminate primary and secondary marine science research using a digital medium of their choice. An introduction to Adobe Illustrator will be taught and the course also includes interactive lectures, group discussions, individual projects, and peer critique with the aim of providing students with foundational critical thinking and communication skills necessary to process and present complex information into a simple, engaging, and accurate format.
April 4, 2023 – April 27, 2023
Online Tuesdays & Thursdays 4–5:20pm PST.
Tuition: $1,500
*Course requires a computer with Adobe Illustrator (subscription of ~$32 per month not covered).
- Heat Spies: Using Infrared Cameras in Marine Ecology gives students an introduction to how heat transfers between organisms and their environment by analyzing various thermal images using FLirTools and Image J. Organisms need the sun for warmth and energy, but how hot can they get before it’s too much to handle? The primary source of IR is heat or thermal radiation - the warmer something is, the more infrared radiation it emits. How will climate change impact these organisms that need to beat the heat? Course topics include thermal process, scientific method, FLIR thermal cameras and equipment, analysis software (FlirTools, Image J), and an introduction to biostatistics.
April 3, 2023 – April 26, 2023
Online Zoom Sessions Monday & Wednesdays 4–5pm PST.
Tuition: $1,500
*This course is a prerequisite to participate in Advanced Life on the Edge that will be offered in-person during Summer 2023.
- Advanced Seafood Fraud Detectives explores seafood mislabeling in domestic and international markets. Fish fraud has long been a known problem worldwide and past studies using DNA barcoding have reported alarmingly high rates of mislabeling, especially in Southern California. In this study, students will contribute to a long-term monitoring project of seafood fraud in San Diego and learn the technical skills used in molecular biology and conservation careers. Topics covered in the course include scientific method, phylogenetics and systematics, DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis, and phylogenetic analyses tools and interpretation.
April 3, 2023 - May 25, 2023
Virtual Meetings (2 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays 4-5pm PST.
Hybrid: In-Person Sessions Tuesdays 4-6pm PST. Virtual Sessions Thursdays 4-5pm PST
Tuition: $3,000
*Prerequisite: Seafood Fraud Detectives (bootcamp option upon request). Able to attend in-person meetings at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Scholarships Available!
The Inamori Scholarship is dedicated to supporting the foundation's belief that people have no higher calling than to strive for the greater good of humankind and society by finding a balance between scientific development and the enrichment of the human spirit. Application required.
Visit our website for more information on course offerings and to apply.
