2021 Online Courses
Not for credit or grade, our courses provide in-depth, interactive exploration of advanced topics. Courses range in subjects from Bioscience to Business, Physics to Political Science, and Creative Writing to Computer Science.
Use the left-hand navigation to filter our extensive course listing to find the course that is right for you!
Use the left-hand navigation to filter our extensive course listing to find the course that is right for you!
Courses Frequently Asked Questions
What does "grade level" refer to?
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What does "grade level" refer to?
Grade level refers to the applicant's current grade at the time they submit their application. Reference for 2021 programs:
|
Graduation Year from High School (Class of) |
Current Grade |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 8 |
Do Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program participants receive grades or credit?
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Do Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program participants receive grades or credit?
We do not provide course grades or credits for completing a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program. Our summer courses are for enrichment purposes only. After the conclusion of the program, participants are sent a written evaluation from their instructor and a certificate of completion.
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Applied Arts
Bioscience
Business
Computer Science
Design
Engineering
Interdisciplinary Sciences
Interdisciplinary Studies
Mathematics
Philosophy
Physical and Earth Science
Social Science
Writing
Writing and Applied Arts
Writing and Humanities
08:00 AM - 11:00 AM (PDT)
04:00 PM - 07:00 PM (PDT)
Engineering
Product Design
This course examines how creativity is explored and expressed in design-related professions and engages in the process of building a...
Writing
Writing Across Disciplines
How can a computer scientist help archaeologists study Neolithic China? How can studying literature help neuroscientists understand the human brain...
Philosophy
The Nature of Evil
Evil is a powerful term that has been applied to everything from windstorms to serial killers to the unreflective actions...
Mathematics
Number Theory
Number theory, the study of properties of integers, has attracted the interest of mathematicians for over 4,000 years. This branch...
Computer Science
| Engineering
Numerical Simulation
Mathematical equations, whether simple or complex, govern all real-world dynamical systems, from the periodic motion of a pendulum to the...
Bioscience
Introduction to Bioengineering
Recent advances in Bioengineering have the potential to benefit human health and longevity. In this course we will review STEM...
Writing
Creative Nonfiction, Fiction, and Poetry
This course is an exploration into the craft of writing creatively. Students will read a variety of works including poems...
Computer Science
| Engineering
Game Design
Whether you are the last one standing in your favorite battle royale game or clicking "like" on Facebook or Instagram...
Social Science
Topics in Psychology
This course introduces students to methodological and theoretical aspects of the field of psychology through in-depth study of some of...
Physical and Earth Science
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing, leveraging quantum mechanics to make particular computational algorithms faster, is a rapidly growing field. In the past year...
Physical and Earth Science
Frontiers in Physics
This course will launch students into an exploration of the groundbreaking discoveries in physics in the early 20th century that...
Bioscience
Topics in Bioscience
How does the brain allow us to think, sense, behave, and feel? In this course, we will begin by learning...
Social Science
Legal Studies: Become a Highly Effective Critical Thinker
The top qualities companies seek in people they hire are critical thinking, problem solving, and communication prowess. This skill set...
Social Science
Topics in Public Policy: Deliberative Democracy
This course examines the theory and practice of democracy—in particular, deliberative democracy—and engages in a dialogue with critics. The course...
Computer Science
| Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers are multi-disciplinarians who apply principles of chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering to solve a range of practical real-life...
Physical and Earth Science
Restoration Ecology
This course will introduce students to the discipline of Restoration Ecology and explore project planning on the applied side of...
Bioscience
| Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
This course introduces students to the advancements in the biomedical engineering field. Students will investigate implantable devices and instrumentation used...
Philosophy
Philosophy through Science Fiction
In this course, we will examine philosophical issues concerning knowledge, the self, mind, ethics, and time by looking at the...
Computer Science
| Engineering
Introduction to Data Science
Data science has revolutionized the way our world works and how we understand it. Technology enables us to ask more...
Business
Business and Entrepreneurship
This course provides students with an intensive introduction to core business disciplines, addressing a wide range of topics including business...
Bioscience
Investigations in Bioscience: Genetics
The field of genetics—the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity—has rapidly progressed within this last century, effectively changing and...
Bioscience
Surgical Technology and Entrepreneurship
We live in a golden age of surgical technology. New techniques and markets allow us to develop and evaluate interventions...
Writing
Research Writing
All it takes is a question! In this class, we will use fun, lighthearted, and interesting topics to explore the...
Social Science
Sociology of Inequality
Social justice is often marked as the goal to be achieved by those aiming to reform society to be more...
Philosophy
Authenticity and the Good Life
Today, common sense tells us that a good life is one lived authentically. Though it seems simple, this idea rests...
Mathematics
Logic and Problem Solving
Problem solving is both an art and science, a truly intellectually entertaining activity. In this course, we will simultaneously bring...
Mathematics
Discrete Mathematics
Discrete mathematics encompasses a broad range of mathematical fields centered on discrete (non-continuous) mathematical structures with an eye toward applications...
Computer Science
Artificial Intelligence
The goal of this course is for students to gain an understanding of what artificial intelligence (AI) is and how...
Business
Business Strategy
What are the key business strategy issues facing companies today? What can entrepreneurs do now to out-perform their competitors in...
Bioscience
Investigations in Bioscience: Neuroscience
This course is designed to serve as a first dive into neuroscience. We will examine the physics and chemistry underlying...