About

The Science of the Nervous System (SONS) Summer Program at the University of California, Irvine is a two-week, non-credit academic immersion for high school students interested in neuroscience. Hosted by UCI’s Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, the 2026 program allows students to explore foundational neuroscience through a rigorous curriculum covering brain development, sensory perception, and the biological basis of behavior. The experience is designed to mirror the first-year undergraduate neuroscience experience, combining high-level lectures with hands-on laboratory work.

Admission is open to motivated high school students (rising sophomores through seniors). For 2026, the program tuition is $2,150. The application period begins in February, with a priority deadline of April 1, 2026. To apply, students must submit a statement of interest and a brief academic history. The program is a commuter experience, with daily sessions held on the UCI campus in Irvine from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Instruction is provided by UCI faculty and graduate researchers. A hallmark of the 2026 curriculum is the Brain Anatomy Lab, where students examine preserved human brain specimens to identify structural landmarks. Additionally, participants engage in electrophysiology workshops, using sensors to record and analyze neural signaling. These activities are supplemented by guest lectures from UCI’s Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM), connecting classroom theory to cutting-edge research.

SONS is institutionally grounded in UCI’s reputation as a world leader in neuroscience. By demystifying complex neural mechanisms early, the program prepares students for the transition to university-level STEM majors. Participants complete the two-week intensive with a certificate of completion, a deeper understanding of the "scientific method" in a lab setting, and a portfolio of neurological case studies.