Coursework and Daily Schedule

Get a jump start on college, meet new people, and learn what campus life is all about!

Course Offerings

Enroll in ONE course, learn how to work with college faculty, and earn three undergraduate credits.
Course Name Faculty Description

Wildlife Tracking and Nature Observation

Jason Hamilton

You will be out in the field during this course, developing your skills in nature observation and animal tracking in the context of modern ecology. You will become familiar with the details of the lives of local wildlife including coyotes, deer, foxes, raccoons, opossums, weasels, mice, and bobcats. Topics and skills covered include local natural history, wildlife habitat assessment, clear print track identification, wildlife conservation, and the role of humans in today's ecosystems. For required textbooks or course materials, see here.

Course Name Faculty Description

Foundations of Health, Human Performance, and Wellness
 

Eber Beck

This course will orient you to health, human performance, and wellness at the individual, group, and population levels. We will explore the structures and functions of the human body and the influence of contemporary biopsychosocial factors. You will participate in hands-on learning in a variety of campus-based labs and clinics in addition to learning about the diversity of health, human performance, and wellness professions and the foundations of effective interprofessional healthcare teams. For required textbooks or course materials, see here.

Course Name Faculty Description
Rock Band for Beginners
 
Matthew Clauhs

This course is an introduction to modern band performance styles (rock, pop, hip hop, R&B, etc.) and instrument techniques (keyboard, guitar, electric bass, drum kit, vocals). Course topics will be demonstrated through interactive lectures, guided practice, ensemble rehearsals, performances, and group assignments. No previous experience is required. All musical preferences and ability levels are welcome. For required textbooks or course materials, see here.  

Please see our Summer Theatre Conservatory. This program exists outside of the Summer College for High School Students and has additional audition material that will need to be submitted along with your application.

Course Name Faculty Description

Introductory Astronomy: Starts, Galaxies, and the Universe

Luke Keller

Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe is an introductory survey of the universe, its formation and evolution, the nature and origins of stars and galaxies, the origins of solar systems including our own, and how humans have come to our current understanding by applying the process of science. You will develop an understanding of basic principles and methods used in astronomy and astrophysics to study the universe through observation, measurement, evaluation of data, and development and testing of scientific theories. This is an introductory course that does not assume a science and mathematics background. For required textbooks or course materials, see here.

Please see our Ithaca Young Writer's Institute.

“I really enjoyed bonfire nights, movie nights, and a lot of the activities that just encouraged everyone to hangout on the quad or lawn together. There were no activities that weren't enjoyable.”

2022 participant

Daily Schedule

Classes are held Monday through Friday. Students engage with faculty and one another regularly during the week, and during social activities after scheduled class periods, in the evenings, and on weekends. Over the weekend, students will enjoy more opportunities to explore Ithaca — including the Farmers Market and Taughannock Falls State Park — as well as to interact with students participating other pre-college programs operating on campus. 

What follows is a general schedule of day-day activities for participants in this program.

Time Activity
08:00 - 09:30 Breakfast
09:30 - 11:30 Class
11:30 - 01:00 Lunch
01:00 - 02:30 Class
02:30 - 03:30  Optional meetings with faculty, teaching assistants, or downtime
3:30 - 5:30 Campus Activity
5:30 - 7:00 Dinner
7:00 - 9:00 Homework or Social Activity

A final schedule will be shared with participants and families about one week prior to the program start date.