Biology College Credit

Are you fascinated by cells? Want to delve into the world of biology while earning college credit? If so, this college-level course could be a great fit for you. Here's your chance to explore cutting-edge discoveries that are reshaping our understanding of cell organization and its connection to human diseases. You’ll learn how scientists use advanced microscopy to see and even feel cells, diving into the language and technology behind these breakthroughs. Discover biology and earn college credit while you're still in high school.

Program Dates

Multi-length courses available throughout the year

Eligibility

For students ages 13 and up

College Credit Course Fees

$3,995

What's the Difference Between Our College Credit and Enrichment Courses?

While both options include dynamic video lessons by renowned Georgetown faculty and access to support, the college credit courses contain additional coursework hours and allow you to earn college credit upon completion. We recommend selecting either the college credit or the enrichment option as some content overlaps between the two modalities.

College Credit Course
$3,995

Length of Course: Multi-length course options

Prerequisites: High school biology recommended

Instruction & Activities: 128 hours

Grading: Letter grade

On Your Own Schedule: ✔️

Academic Support: ✔️

Final Project: ✔️

College Credit Hours: ✔️

Certificate of Completion: Georgetown Transcript

Enrichment Course
$1,795

Length of Course: 1-, 2-, or 4-weeks

Prerequisites: None

Instruction & Activities: 20-30 hours

Grading: Pass/Fail

On Your Own Schedule: ✔️

Academic Support: ✔️

Final Project: ✔️

College Credit Hours:

Certificate of Completion:✔️

Immerse Yourself in the World of Biology

Learn the Cellular and Multicellular Frameworks.

Uncover where all the information about cells in textbooks comes from. Understand how scientists transform their observations into paradigms and theories.

Delve Deeper Into Cells and Structure.

Recognize the wide diversity of cell functions and structures. Apply chemistry and physics principles to explain what limits the size and shape of cells.

All About Microscopy: Seeing Cells.

Identify microscopes that are commonly used by biologists and define their function. Determine which microscope is best to answer various questions and learn to recognize their limitations.

Study the Blobs and Globs of Cells: Flipping the Paradigm.

Unravel recent discoveries greatly altering our understanding of cell organization. Learn to describe the core chemistry and physics principles at play in molecular interactions in water.

Examine Biomolecular Condensates in Medicine.

Gain insight into the four different disease states. Deepen your understanding of basic cell functions like gene expression, cell signaling, and division. Study how disease results from functional aberrations.

Explore College Majors and Future Careers in Biology.

Topics covered in this course offer a vital background for college majors and potential career paths: everything from science to medicine to epidemiology and more. This course is also great for students interested in technology, patent law, and journalism.

How You Will Benefit

  • Experience a college-level biology course while in high school.
  • Earn college credit from Georgetown University.
  • Gain a thorough understanding of why and how cells organize their contents.
  • Delve deeply into the recent discoveries that challenge what we’ve traditionally known about cells.
  • Analyze actual microscopy data, and learn how this tecnology is transforming how well we can see cells and how they are changing our understanding of internal cell structures.
  • Hear directly from scientists about how cutting-edge research in biomolecular condensates is leading to new treatments.
  • Complete a Final Capstone Project to demonstrate what you’ve learned.

Student completing Georgetown's biology course

Three Learning Advantages Designed for You

Final Capstone Project

All online courses culminate in a Final Capstone Project that allows you to:

  • Demonstrate what you’ve learned in a presentation.
  • Get feedback from your TA on your work.
  • Choose from a variety of topics covered in your course to show what you’ve learned. 
  • Use any media you prefer—text, video, photography, PowerPoint.

TA Support

You’ll receive guidance from a TA who can support you and answer questions as you deepen your learning experience. You can expect:

  • Encouragement and direction on all assignments.
  • Inspiration, motivation and confidence to help you succeed.
  • Brainstorming and ideation help as you prepare for your Final Capstone Project.

Flexible Learning

  • 100% online learning that works with your schedule.
  • Flexible learning format through video lessons. Tune in anytime that works for you.
  • Approximately 128 hours of total instruction and coursework, including engaging multimedia, simulations, and curated assignments for which you will receive guidance and support from TAs.

Apply Now for the Next Available Course

Course Designed by Georgetown University Faculty

Heidi Elmendorf | Biology Course Instructor | Georgetown University

Heidi Elmendorf, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology

Professor Elmendorf has been a faculty member in the Department of Biology at Georgetown University for 24 years. She also teaches for Georgetown’s Community Scholars Program; the Education, Inquiry & Justice minor (a program she now directs); the Summer High School Sessions Program; and the DC Jail through Georgetown's Prisons and Justice Initiative. She’s also an infectious disease researcher and a researcher/designer of educational equity initiatives.

Meet Your TAs

Jonah | Georgetown Biology Course Mentor

Jonah

Jonah's working towards a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and currently holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and Neurobiology with a minor in Computer Science.

Julian | Georgetown Biology Course T.A.

Julian

First year medical student that holds a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology from Georgetown University.

Siri | Georgetown Biology Course Mentor

Siri

Holds an undergraduate degree in medical sciences and currently working towards an osteopathic medicine degree.

Want to Know More?

Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.

Admissions

Our application process is easy. You can expect a prompt decision.

Start Application

Frequently Asked Questions

How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re admitted? Find answers to your questions here.

Answers to Your Questions Here

Scholarships

We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition. 

  • If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.  
  • If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.

The University reserves the right to modify the course as may become necessary.