Question 1

When does the course meet?

Accepted Answer

BioFUNdamentals I meets once per week on Tuesdays from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM starting on Nov 11, 2025 and ending on Dec 16, 2025. A make up session will be held on Dec 23, 2025 in case a session has to be canceled by the instructor due to unforeseen circumstances.

Question 2

Who should take this course?

Accepted Answer

Students in grades 8-12 who are interested in pursuing science, medicine, or engineering in college. Early college students who want a deeper understanding of how biology is used as technology and want to supplement their lab experience. Educators who need biotechnology training, and curious adults.

Question 3

What is the maximum number of participants in the course?

Accepted Answer

This is a small group course to maximise learning and individual attention. The maximum number of participants will be 6. The class will run with a minimim of 2 participants.

Question 4

Do students need prior lab experience?

Accepted Answer

No! BioFUNdamentals courses are perfect for beginners. While any prior science knowledge is helpful, we teach all the core knowlwdge and techniques from the ground up, emphasizing safety and the the why behind the experiments.

Question 5

Will students be handling real DNA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, students will  work with real DNA samples for gel electrophoresis, and handle their own cheek cell DNA for the personalized gene analysis in BioFUNdamentals II.

Question 6

Are the labs safe?

Accepted Answer

Safety is our top priority. BioFUNdamentals I includes a dedicated session on proper lab safety. All experiments use safe, non-pathogenic, and non-toxic materials (e.g., dyes, plant DNA, harmless bacteria, and safe reagents).

Question 7

What should students bring?

Accepted Answer

Students should wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing with long sleeves and long pants. All lab materials, equipment, and safety gear (gloves, safety glasses, etc.) will be provided. A lab coat is not necessary, however a participant can bring one if desired.

Question 8

How long is the course?

Accepted Answer

Each course meets for a focused 90-minute session once a week for 6 weeks.

Question 9

Are the courses sequential?

Accepted Answer

We recommend taking BioFUNdamentals I first, as it covers foundational techniques (pipetting, gel electrophoresis, etc) which are applied in  in BioFUNdamentals II (PCR, bacterial transformation, genetic testing). Participants with experience elsewhere can enroll directly in BioFUNdamentals II.

Question 10

What is the difference between the two courses?

Accepted Answer

Course I focuses on foundational lab practices (safety, pipetting, visualization, basic restriction enzymes, gel electrophoresis). Course II focuses on genetic engineering and advanced molecular tools (bacterial transformation, PCR, and personalized gene analysis).

Question 11

Will this help my college application?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Admissions officers value demonstrated interest and practical lab skills far beyond classroom lectures. The techniques taught (micropipetting, PCR, bacterial transformation, electrophoresis) are key skills needed for college-level research.

Question 12

What if I need to withdraw from the course less than 7 days before it starts due to sickness or inju

Accepted Answer

Please contact us and we can provide a credit you can use for another course or clases. Preparing for the course requires the purchase and preparation of consumable materials and we can not provide a refund if a participant withdraws with less than 7 days notice.

Question 13

Do you offer a need based scholarship?

Accepted Answer

Yes, please contact us at vanya@cells.org to request a need based scholarship. All need based requests have to be documented. Once approved the scholarship will cover 40% of the course cost and instructions for course registration will be provided.

Question 14

Class Pricing

Accepted Answer

We offer high-quality courses with qualified instructors who excel at making complex concepts understandable for all participant levels. We use professional-grade equipment and reagents in a real lab setting, typically unavailable to young students or outside traditional academic settings.