Students planning to enter their first year of university in the fall can get a head start on biology fundamentals through Brock University’s Science Start program.

The five-week summer preparation course offered by the Department of Biology is open to students entering a degree program with a biology component at any university.

“Science Start is designed so students gain an understanding of fundamental biology concepts and develop the science skills needed to be successful in their university courses,” says Science Start Co-ordinator Alysha Johnson (BSc ’17, MSc ’19).

Set to take place through online and hybrid formats from Monday, July 10 to Friday, Aug. 11, Science Start provides students with a combination of lessons, workshops and lab tutorials. The program also includes real-time online instructor support and forum discussions. The online version takes about 25 hours to complete, while the hybrid version requires 15 hours of in-person learning and 15 hours online.

The hybrid program offers students the added opportunity to learn and practise hands-on laboratory techniques in Brock’s teaching labs on topics such as health sciences, ecology and plant biology. Students in the hybrid program will also tour campus and meet Brock Biology professors, academic advisors and current undergraduate students.

The deadline to register for Science Start is Sunday, June 23. The hybrid program costs $225, while the online version is $120.

Visit the Science Start website to learn more about or register for the program.