What You’ll Learn
This summer, take a deep dive into courses that introduce you to topics in the health sciences. You can build a foundation of premedical studies or learn about ethics in medicine. Examine the roots and impacts of past — and current — epidemics. Look to the future and learn about where innovations in biology, such as stem cell regeneration, can take us.
The 7-week Secondary School Program allows you to take two courses instead of one, so you can use your summer to focus your studies on topics you are excited about or evaluate a potential field of study in college. Explore these Premedical Sciences and Ethics subjects you can study at Harvard and design your own premed summer program by choosing two courses.
Featured 7-Week SSP Courses
Premedical Sciences
- Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (BIOS S-1B)
- Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology (BIOS S-1A)
- Principles of Organic Chemistry (CHEM S-17)
- Introduction to Biochemistry (BIOS S-10)
Medicine and Society
- Deadly Diseases: Epidemics throughout History (HSCI S-202)
- Introduction to Biomedical Ethics (PHIL S-167)
- Stigma and Gender in Medicine (HSCI S-170)
New Directions in Biology
- Introduction to Epidemiology and Biostatistics (STAT S-103)
- Biotechnology and the Human Good (PHIL S-159)
- Health and the Nervous System (BIOS S-54)
Explore More Premedical Science Courses
Interested in finding more courses like this? Browse our course catalog to see all of our medical sciences courses.
High school students interested in taking justice, ethics, and human rights courses must first apply and be accepted into the Secondary School Program. These courses are also open to adult and college students over the summer. Adults and college students should complete these steps to register.
FAQs
How long are the Premedical Sciences and Ethics classes?
These courses run the full length of the 7-week term. Four-credit courses are in session 2 days/week and 8-credit courses are in session 5 days/week (Monday–Friday). On class days, you will meet for 3 hours.
How can high school students get experience in the medical field?
High school students looking to gain experience in the medical field can do things like volunteer at a hospital or health clinic, earn CPR and First Aid certifications, or participate in medical summer programs like those at Harvard Summer School. These courses allow you to explore what it would be like to study medicine in college if you are considering a career in medicine.
What are the best premed classes to take in high school?
If you are a high school student considering studying medicine, you can take advanced science courses and higher-level math courses to help prepare to become a medical student. These courses can be taken during the school year — usually at your high school. You can supplement these core classes with college-level premed classes during the summer to give you extra insights into the medical field and prepare you for a premed college program.
Do I earn college credit from these courses?
Yes. At the completion of the program, you may request a transcript listing your coursework, grades, and number of credits earned. Students participating in the 7-Week Residential program earn 8 credit hours, either taking two 4-credit courses or one 8-hour course, while SSP Online or Commuting students may choose to take either 4 or 8 credit hours during the 7-week summer session.
These credits are accepted toward degrees at most colleges and universities at the discretion of the home institution — you should check your home school’s transfer policies before you register. You can request a copy of your transcript after completing your courses.
Are these classes online or in-person?
Some courses are available on-campus only, while others are available in a flexible format for 7-week SSP Online or Commuting students. Learn more about which courses are available depending on your program format.
