Biology is one of the most exciting subjects to study in high school because it constantly evolves alongside discoveries in medicine, genetics, neuroscience, ecology, and biotechnology. Online biology summer schools for high school students can help you access university-style learning, advanced scientific concepts, and research experiences that mirror real academic and professional work.

You may study molecular medicine, computational biology, epidemiology, neuroscience, or environmental science while learning how scientists approach research questions, analyse evidence, and communicate findings. You’ll also have the opportunity to strengthen transferable skills like data interpretation, scientific reasoning, collaboration, and academic writing, all of which can help you prepare for college-level STEM coursework and future research opportunities.

What are the benefits of online biology summer programs?

A major benefit of virtual biology programs is the flexibility they offer students across the world. Instead of needing to relocate for the summer, you can participate remotely while still learning from professors, graduate researchers, and STEM professionals at leading universities and organisations. 

Many programs also include mentorship, capstone projects, and certificates of completion that can add meaningful academic experience to your resume or college applications. 

The list below includes 15 online biology summer programs for high school students, with no mandatory in-person attendance required. We selected these programs based on the quality of instruction, depth of biological content, mentorship opportunities, research exposure, and overall value for motivated high school students interested in STEM.

For adjacent opportunities, consider the in-person biology program, the in-person medicine program, and the online medicine program.

15 Online Biology Summer Schools for High School Students

1. Dartmouth Precollege Online – Biology: Transforming the Future of Science 

Location: Virtual (Online)
Cost: $1,895 program fee; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions available throughout Summer, beginning May 31st
Application Deadline: One week before the course start date
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13 and older; open to international students

“Biology: Transforming the Future of Science” is an online pre-college course offered through Dartmouth College that introduces you to systems biology, biotechnology, and computational approaches used in modern biomedical science. You explore how genes, proteins, and cellular networks interact within biological systems while learning about fields such as genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, immunology, drug discovery, and ageing research.

Through video lessons, multimedia activities, and mentor-guided assignments, you examine how biology is applied in areas like personalised medicine and biotechnology. The course also introduces you to computational modelling and systems-thinking approaches commonly used in biomedical research. As part of the program, you complete a final capstone project where you apply systems biology concepts to a real-world scientific challenge.  

Why it stands out: It focuses on systems biology and computational biotechnology, introducing students to modern interdisciplinary approaches shaping the future of medicine and biomedical research. 

2. Immerse Education’s Online Biology Summer School

Location: Fully remote
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Dates: Flexible; multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; multiple dates throughout the year
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 (accredited options require age 14+); open to international students

Immerse Education’s Online Summer School is one of the most personalised online biology summer schools for high school students, allowing you to explore biological sciences from anywhere in the world through a structured academic experience. You will work in one-to-one tutorials with a dedicated tutor and dive into key areas of biology while developing university-level research skills. The programme centres around an independent research project that you choose and complete with expert guidance.

You will learn to ask questions, investigate scientific topics, and think critically about what you discover. You may explore subjects like genetics, evolution, or biochemistry as part of your work. By the end of the programme, you’ll finish a personal research paper, receive written feedback and a certificate of achievement.

Why it stands out: You experience authentic Oxford-style tutorials online, work closely with leading academics, and produce an assessed research paper — with the option to earn UCAS points or US college credit if you are aged 14 or above.

3. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: Hybrid, in-person, or remote, depending on mentor placement; hosted by George Mason University
Cost: $25 application fee and $1,299 tuition for 3 college credits upon acceptance; fee waivers and tuition waivers are available for eligible students with demonstrated financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 290-300 interns
Dates: June 18th – August 12th (8 weeks full-time)
Application Deadline: February 15th
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students may apply; remote and computer-lab internships require students to be at least 15 years old by June 18th, while wet-lab internships require students to be at least 16 years old; open to international students

The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University allows high school and undergraduate students to work on real STEM research projects alongside faculty mentors and university research teams. During the 8-week program, you gain hands-on experience using laboratory equipment, research tools, and advanced technologies while contributing to ongoing scientific studies.

Research areas include biology, neuroscience, machine learning, cybersecurity, environmental science, medicine, engineering, astronomy, psychology, and computational modelling. Participants earn three college credits through George Mason University and gain early exposure to university-level STEM research. 

Why it stands out: It features a combination of full-time university-level STEM research, one-on-one faculty mentorship, and opportunities for high school students to contribute to publishable scientific work across a wide range of disciplines.

4. Marine Ecology: Studying and Safeguarding Our Most Vulnerable Ecosystems

Location: Virtual (Online through Canvas)
Cost: $3,364 + $80 application fee; need-based scholarships are available  
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 13-24
Application Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9-12 who are between the ages of 14 and 18 by June 14th; open to international students

This program introduces you to the ecology and biodiversity of the Florida Keys through lessons on coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and marine ecosystem interactions. Through multimedia field-based instruction, including underwater footage, recorded presentations, and live-specimen demonstrations, you learn directly from marine biologists about marine ecosystems and the environmental challenges affecting them.

The course also explores topics such as pollution, habitat degradation, and conservation while helping you build communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills connected to environmental action. As part of the coursework, you complete a final project where you design a plan to address an ecological issue within your own community.

Why it stands out: It combines marine biology field-based learning and environmental leadership training, allowing students to connect ecological science with real-world conservation action. 

5. University of Pennsylvania Pre-College Online Program – Modern Biology and Social Implications

Location: Online
Cost: $8,692; scholarships are available for Philadelphia residents
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort size
Dates: July 2nd – August 7th
Application Deadline: June 1st
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th grade student; open to international students

In this course, you explore the intersection of classical genetics, evolutionary biology, and molecular biology with their broader societal impacts. You engage in rigorous academic coursework by analysing biological theories and interpreting experimental practices from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Throughout the program, you utilise digital university systems and online research databases to contextualise historical biological developments.

Your academic responsibilities include participating in synchronous virtual lectures, completing college-level research papers, and critically evaluating how scientific breakthroughs shape modern medicine. By synthesising primary sources and complex scientific data, you build a strong foundation in both the life sciences and analytical writing. This immersive experience successfully prepares you for future university-level scholarly work.

Why it stands out: It provides high school students with an Ivy League academic experience by allowing them to earn official university credit while rigorously examining the ethical and historical dimensions of the modern biological sciences.

6. Joint Science Education Project (JSEP) 

Location: Online
Cost: None 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~30 students, educators, and scientists
Dates: Late June – Mid-July
Application Deadline: January 31st
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who have previously completed a remote JSEP program and must be exactly 18 years old (not older) by June 1; not open to international students

The Joint Science Education Project (JSEP), led in part by Dartmouth College and supported by the National Science Foundation, allows you to take part in hands-on Arctic science and cultural exchange experiences in Greenland alongside students, scientists, and graduate mentors from the United States, Greenland, and Denmark. Through field-based research and interdisciplinary learning, you explore subjects such as glaciology, polar ecology, Arctic engineering, climate science, snow and ice physics, and environmental change while working closely with researchers and near-peer mentors.

The program focuses on inquiry-based learning, scientific communication, and cross-cultural collaboration through its intergenerational mentor model. You’ll take part in research projects, field investigations, and discussions centred on the changing Arctic environment and its global impact. 

Why it stands out: It provides a rare opportunity for high school students to conduct immersive, field-based Arctic science research in Greenland while collaborating directly with scientists and international peers in a cross-cultural research environment. 

7. Rosetta Institute Molecular Medicine Workshops 

Location: Online
Cost: FutureMD ($490), Intro to Cellular and Molecular Medicine ($560), Medicinal Chemistry ($730), and Medical Bioinformatics ($1150); full and partial scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort sizes vary by workshop
Dates: Multiple summer workshop sessions available throughout, including 2-week residential, commuter, and online options
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until programs fill
Eligibility: Motivated high school students ages 14-18, depending on the workshops; some workshops require applications and letters of recommendation; open to international students

Rosetta Institute’s Molecular Medicine Workshops add an advanced biomedical research option to this list of online biology summer schools for high school students. Through lectures, laboratory activities, and coursework led by PhD-level instructors, you study how molecular and cellular biology relate to human disease, modern medical treatments, neuroscience, bioinformatics, and drug development.

Workshop topics include Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Biology of Cancer, Molecular Immunology, Developmental Biology, Bioinformatics, Medicinal Chemistry, and AI-assisted biomedical research. Online workshops focus more on computational biology, bioinformatics, and experimental design. Many workshops conclude with those developing independent research projects focused on genes, diseases, or molecular pathways that interest them.  

Why it stands out: It strongly emphasises advanced molecular medicine and biomedical research taught by PhD-level scientists through specialised, university-based laboratory and bioinformatics experiences for high school students. 

8. Brown Pre-College Online – Investigating the Biology and Psychology of Mental Illness

Location: Virtual (Online through Canvas)
Cost: $3,364 + $80 application fee; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 29th – July 10th; July 13-24
Application Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9-12 who are between the ages of 14 and 18 by June 14th; open to international students

This course introduces you to the biological and psychological foundations of mental illness through an interdisciplinary study of neuroscience, psychology, and clinical mental health. Throughout the two-week online course, you examine how genetics, brain function, hormones, and environmental factors influence cognition, emotion, and behaviour while analysing case studies of common psychological disorders and their treatments.

Coursework includes multimedia lectures, discussions, and independent analysis activities designed to build scientific reasoning and communication skills. The program also introduces you to fields such as psychotherapy, neurobiology, and mental health research while exploring how biological and psychological perspectives work together in understanding human behaviour.

Why it stands out: It features an interdisciplinary approach, combining neuroscience, biology, and psychology to explore mental illness through both scientific and clinical perspectives. 

9. GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS)

Location: Virtual (asynchronous online program)
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; typically, large cohorts (>800 students)
Dates: June 1st – August 28th
Application Deadline: March 15th, or 1,000 applications, whichever is earlier
Eligibility: U.S. citizens and permanent residents attending U.S.-based high schools; rising juniors, seniors, or incoming college freshmen in Fall; have completed at least one biology course; maintain a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0; have access to a computer with reliable internet; not open to international students

This program introduces you to space biology, bioinformatics, and computational biology through a virtual summer research experience. Over 12 weeks of asynchronous coursework, you study how biological systems respond to spaceflight conditions while learning omics-based research methods such as genomic and protein data analysis. The program includes self-paced lectures, JupyterLab notebook exercises, and optional live office hours led by scientists and educators.

Those who complete the foundational coursework receive a digital certificate and can apply for the Capstone Project, where teams conduct original bioinformatics research using NASA datasets and present their findings at a symposium. Some top-performing teams may also have the opportunity to present their work at the annual American Society for Gravitational and Space Research conference. 

Why it stands out: It uniquely focuses on NASA space biology research, giving high school students hands-on exposure to bioinformatics and omics-based data analysis using real scientific datasets from spaceflight experiments. 

10. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 + $5 application fee; limited need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 50 students per session
Dates: Session A: June 15-26; Session B: July 6-17
Application Deadline: February 20th
Eligibility: Applicants must be current U.S. high school students entering grades 9-12 in Fall; reside in the U.S. for the duration of the program; be at least 14 years old by the start date; and not open to international students 

This program introduces you to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare through a two-week virtual research program. Throughout the internship, you learn core concepts in machine learning, medical imaging AI, clinical datasets, model evaluation, and responsible AI while working on collaborative research projects in small mentored teams led by Stanford student researchers and trainees.

The program also includes speaker sessions with professionals from academia, healthcare, industry, and government who discuss careers and current developments in health AI. Those who successfully finish the program receive a Certificate of Completion from Stanford AIMI. 

Why it stands out: It focuses on applying artificial intelligence to real-world healthcare challenges through mentored research projects led by Stanford researchers and clinicians. 

11. Wake Forest University – Bioscience: An Inside Look at Infectious Disease 

Location: Virtual (Online)
Cost: $1,595 program fee; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions offered throughout the summer
Application Deadline: One week before the course start date
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13 and older; open to international students

This course introduces you to the biology, chemistry, and epidemiology of infectious diseases through an online pre-college learning experience. Throughout the course, you study how viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens infect human cells and spread through populations while learning about immune responses, vaccines, molecular disease mechanisms, and public health research.

The program explores diseases such as COVID-19, HIV, tuberculosis, cholera, and Zika through case studies and scientific literature analysis. You also gain exposure to epidemiological methods, biomedical research techniques, and modern disease-detection technologies while developing scientific communication and presentation skills through a final capstone project. 

Why it stands out: It features an interdisciplinary exploration of infectious diseases through molecular biology, epidemiology, immunology, and public health perspectives using real-world disease case studies. 

12. University of Notre Dame – Biology: The Impact of Genetic Mutations  

Location: Virtual (Online)
Cost: $1,795 program fee; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multiple 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week sessions available throughout Summer, beginning May 31st
Application Deadline: One week before the course start date
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13 and older; open to international students

In this course, you study how genetic mutations contribute to disease, how evolution and natural selection shape biological systems, and how cellular signalling, metabolism, and protein structure influence cancer development and treatment. The program also covers core molecular biology topics such as DNA replication, inheritance, gene expression, and gene editing technologies while connecting these concepts to real-world biomedical research.

In addition, you examine metastatic and non-metastatic tumour cells, drug resistance, and the biological mechanisms involved in cancer progression. Through mentor-guided instruction and a final capstone project, students research a specific cancer type and evaluate its evolution, treatment approaches, and potential future therapies. 

Why it stands out: It integrates genetics, evolution, and cancer biology to help students explore how molecular mutations drive disease and shape modern biomedical research. 

13. Case Western Reserve University – Neuroscience and Medicine: Inside the Brain and Nervous System

Location: Virtual (Online)
Cost: $1,595; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions available throughout the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines depending on the session
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13 and older; open to international students

Case Western Reserve University’s Neuroscience and Medicine course adds a specialised neuroscience option to this list of online biology summer schools for high school students. You’ll study the anatomy and function of the nervous system, including neurons, neurotransmitters, neural signalling, and brain-body communication. The program explores neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, stroke, multiple sclerosis, addiction, and traumatic brain injury while connecting these disorders to current medical treatments and neuroengineering research.

Through case studies and scientific analysis, you learn how neuroscientists investigate brain function, diagnose disorders, and develop therapies for neurological diseases. Students also complete a final project focused on diagnosing and presenting a hypothetical neurological patient case. 

Why it stands out: It strongly integrates neuroscience, medicine, and clinical case analysis to help students understand how brain biology connects to neurological disorders and emerging therapies. 

14. Georgetown University – Pre-College Online – Medical Research: Clinical Trials Resulting in Medical Discoveries

Location: Online
Cost: $1,895; need-based scholarships are available  
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multiple 1-, 2-, and 4-week sessions offered year-round
Application Deadline: One week before the course start date
Eligibility: High school students ages 13+; open to international students 

The Georgetown University Pre-College Online Medical Research course introduces you to clinical research, evidence-based medicine, and healthcare innovation through an online academic program. You’ll study how vaccines, drugs, and cancer therapies are developed through clinical trials while learning the fundamentals of epidemiology, biostatistics, and medical ethics. Through video lectures and mentor-guided activities, participants analyse scientific journal articles, explore research methods, and examine the role of evidence-based medicine in patient care.

The program also covers topics related to cancer research, diagnostic technologies, and ethical issues involved in modern healthcare studies. As part of the final capstone project, students design and present their own clinical research proposal using scientific literature and professional research practices. 

Why it stands out: It strongly emphasises real-world clinical trials and evidence-based medicine, giving students hands-on exposure to how modern medical treatments and cancer therapies are researched, tested, and evaluated.

15. William & Mary Pre-College Online – Medicine: Disease, Diagnostics, and Interventions 

Location: Online
Cost: $1,595; need-based scholarships are available  
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: One week before the course start date
Eligibility: High school students ages 13+; open to international students

This course introduces you to the biological foundations of infectious disease and modern medicine through an online pre-college learning experience. Throughout the course, you study viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens, including influenza, staph infections, and malaria, while learning how physicians diagnose and treat disease. The program explores topics such as antibiotic resistance, epidemiology, biotechnology, microbiology, and gene therapy to help you understand the broader public health and global health impact of infectious diseases.

You’ll also examine how modern medical treatments are developed and how healthcare professionals respond to outbreaks and emerging pathogens. As part of the final project, you’ll create a patient case file that follows a disease from diagnosis to treatment while considering its public health implications. 

Why it stands out: It integrates microbiology, public health, and clinical diagnosis, allowing students to approach infectious diseases from both a biological and real-world medical perspective.

From Scientific Curiosity to University-Level Thinking

Biology becomes more powerful when you move from memorising facts to asking research questions about genetics, disease, ecosystems, neuroscience, and biotechnology.

The online biology summer schools for high school students listed here can help you practise that shift through capstone projects, mentor feedback, scientific analysis, and data interpretation.

As you compare programmes, notice which topics make you think deeper: molecular medicine, marine ecology, infectious disease, computational biology, clinical research, or neuroscience.

Ready to turn scientific curiosity into stronger university preparation? Explore our University Preparation blogs for STEM planning, application advice, and academic skill-building.