Pre-College Programs
Summer Precollege 2021 – Register Now!
Earn up to 12 college credits online with FDU’s Summer Pre-College Program!
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Summer Pre-College Program offers motivated students in grades 9 to 12 the opportunity to get a jump-start on earning college credits through engaging, interactive online courses.
Program highlights
Our courses have been designed to keep students engaged in a remote learning format. Register today to experience:
- The opportunity to earn 3 college credits per course and up to 12 college credits this summer for future university studies.
- The ability to advance the quality of your college application from the comfort of your home.
- Customized, exclusive curriculum developed and taught by passionate, distinguished FDU professors.
- A collaborative learning environment of students from across the state, country and globe.
- A glimpse into the most desired majors and careers of today.
- The perfect blend of real-time instruction, self-paced projects and virtual teamwork.
Program schedule
Note: Please scroll further down the page to see detailed course descriptions;
Session 1 – July 5 to July 15, 2021
Morning Classes: 9 AM to 12:30 PM
- Pre-Medical Professions and the Health Sciences
- Introduction to Coding: Concepts and Applications For Learning to Code
- Creative Writing: The Power of Storytelling
- Introduction to Data Science and Business Intelligence
Afternoon Classes: 1:30 PM to 5 PM
- Introduction to Criminal Justice and the American Legal System
- Drug Discovery: The Exciting Future of Pharmacology
- Introduction to Applied Statistics
- Optimizing Smartphone Photography and Videography
- Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering
- Introduction to e-Sports Management
Session 2 – July 19 to July 29, 2021
Morning Classes: 9 AM to 12:30 PM
- Pre-Medical Professions and the Health Sciences
- Wall Street Careers: An Introduction to Financial Markets and Trading
- Astrophysics: Exploring the Stars and the Galaxies
- Around the World in Eight Days: Introduction to Global Tourism Management
Afternoon Classes: 1:30 PM to 5 PM
- Introduction to Advanced Coding and Development
- Cognitive Psychology: Understanding the Mind, the Brain and Your Behavior
- Digital Art: Create Your Own Online Canvas
- Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Startups and Venture Capital Funding
Courses held Monday through Thursday and are taught online by FDU instructors in a hybrid real-time and/or recorded format. All class times are US EST.
Program Cost
$775 per 3-credit course.
Individual courses are subject to cancellation for under-enrollment (minimum of 10 students per class). You will be notified if cancellations occur.
Course Descriptions
Session 1 July 5-15
Morning Courses — 9 AM to 1230 PM
Register for Session 1- Morning
Pre-Med: Introduction to Health Sciences (3 credits)
This course introduces students to the basic concepts of medical science including Physiology, Anatomy and effective patient care using hands-on models. Students learn how to take blood pressure readings and use other diagnostic equipment, and receive an overview of the diverse job opportunities and pathways to careers in the health sciences.
Introduction to Coding Concepts and Applications for Learning to Code (3 credits)
This introductory course is designed for students looking to learn how to code in the Python programming language. It uses the Python programming language as a foundation for teaching students the basics of coding and coding to create. Students examine the basics of syntax and structure, and then use these skills to create applications in Python.
Creative Writing – The Power of Storytelling (3 credits)
This course is designed for students looking to take their first steps toward a career in writing or journalism. Students select a project in a specific genre and develop basic skills used to create imaginative literature. Students explore the fundamentals of craft and composition. They also examine the distinct but related written techniques used across three genres Story, scene, and characters in fiction; sound, line, image, and voice in poetry; monologue, dialogue, and action in drama.
Introduction to Data Science and Business Intelligence (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the field of Data Science and how it is applied in Business Intelligence(BI) applications. Students will receive an overview of the foundational concepts in Data Science and will then learn about applying these tools and skills to solve real-world, Business Intelligence problems.
Session 1 July 5-15
Afternoon Courses — 130 PM to 5 PM
Register for Session 1- Afternoon
Introduction to Criminal Justice and the American Legal System (3 credits)
Law enforcement and criminal justice play critical roles in ensuring the safety and security of our citizenry. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of the American criminal justice system as well as the laws and precedents that govern the functioning of this system. Students learn how to formulate a legal defense and examine cases from the viewpoint of the prosecution. Students are also exposed to the various career pathways and possibilities in criminal justice and the legal system.
Drug Discovery: The Exciting Future of Pharmacology in 21st Century Treatment Protocols (3 credits)
As diseases become more complex and drug resistant, the field of Pharmacology is increasingly critical to treating and managing diseases on a global scale. This course introduces students to basic concepts in the field of Pharmacology and presents an overview of the various effects of common pharmaceuticals on systems in the human body. The course uses case studies to help students understand the process of pharmacological drug development. It also exposes students to various careers and career pathways in the field of Pharmacology.
Introduction to Applied Statistics (3 credits)
The field of statistics is a critical foundation for several disciplines ranging from Finance to Big Data and even engineering. This course provides students a strong applied foundation in statistics by introducing them to the fundamental tools and techniques used by modern statisticians.
Optimizing Smartphone Photography and Videography (3 credits)
As smartphone cameras become more sophisticated and capable, they are increasingly the primary means of capturing the world around us. In this course, students learn how to optimize the use of their smartphone’s camera with cutting-edge tools and techniques to produce outstanding pieces of photography and videography. Note Students are required to purchase and download the Adobe Photography bundle for $9.99/month.
Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering (3 credits)
Students are introduced to the basic foundational concepts of Material Science and the career avenues available in the fields of Material Science and Materials Engineering. This course explores the material structures and applications of various commonly used materials such as metal alloys, ceramics and composites, while also introducing students to cutting-edge materials such as silicon wafers and nanomaterials. The course also enables students to use their knowledge of material properties to solve real-world design problems.
Introduction to e-Sports Management (3 credits)
Competitive gaming or organized video gaming competitions is a real career pathway and a burgeoning field of opportunity for people with a passion for gaming. This class will explore the cutting-edge field of e-Sports while helping students to develop a keen understanding of the business models and organizational design that creates such fast-paced competitive events. This nearly $1 billion industry is full of opportunities; Students will get a hands-on introduction to the e-sports sector including areas such as Event Development, Licensing, Marketing and execution of e-sports events. This class will focus on the Business Development, Marketing and Event Management aspects of e-Sports and will not focus on the actual games themselves.
Session 2 July 19-29
Morning Courses — 9 AM to 1230 PM
Register for Session 2 – Morning
Pre-Med Introduction to Health Sciences (3 credits)
This course introduces students to the basic concepts of medical science including Physiology, Anatomy and effective patient care using hands-on models. Students learn how to take blood pressure readings and use other diagnostic equipment, and receive an overview of the diverse job opportunities and pathways to careers in the health sciences.
Wall Street Careers An Introduction to Financial Markets and Trading (3 credits)
In this course, students explore the structure and functioning of today’s Global Financial Markets. Through applied exercises, simulators, and case studies, they examine what a career in finance and trading entails. Students explore how global financial markets work and how securities transactions are executed. Students also learn how to create an optimal investment portfolio based on the investor’s risk profile.
Astrophysics – The Stars and the Galaxies (3 credits)
This course traces mankind’s knowledge of the universe from astronomy’s ancient roots to the modern study of extra-solar planetary systems, cosmology, and black holes. Students apply this knowledge to describe the properties of the sun and of the planets of our solar system, the properties and fate of stars in general, and the discovery of planets around other stars.
Around the World in Eight Days Introduction to Global Tourism Management (3 credits)
In this course, students will familiarize themselves with eight top global tourism destinations. In so doing, they will gain an understanding of diverse sets of cultures, foods, traditions and the management and marketing of world-class tourist sites. They will transform this understanding into the design of memorable travel experiences for the particular group of tourists they are assigned. In addition, each destination under consideration will be analyzed in terms of the economic and environmental impact tourism has on the region and its inhabitants.
Session 2 July 19-29
Afternoon Courses — 130 PM to 5 PM
Register for Session 2 – Afternoon
Introduction to Advanced Coding and Development (3 credits)
This course aims to put students on a pathway to becoming a full-stack developer. The course begins with the overall architecture of full stack development and then proceeds into the process of comprehensive application development using Java, C#(c-sharp), Python, PHP, and other integrated technologies. Students examine the basic syntax and structure of various popular programming languages and learn to understand and appreciate the value of modern full-stack development. Students will then apply this knowledge to real-world application development projects. This is not an introductory coding course. Students will need experience with common coding languages such as C++, Python, or Java to succeed in this course.
Cognitive Psychology – Understanding the Mind, the Brain, and our Behavior (3 credits)
This course is designed for students with a strong curiosity to understand the workings of the human mind. Students work with the instructor to gain an applied understanding of the crucial field of Cognitive Psychology. They also explore the various career pathways and possibilities in this critical discipline.
Digital Art Create Your Own Online Canvas (3 credits)
In this course, students explore the many possibilities of digital illustration, in which creations can appear as realistic as actual drawings and paintings. Students learn how to set up and optimize their work spaces, prep documents for illustration, and produce finished digital masterpieces. They build skills by creating an illustration using an array of digital tools to manipulate its look and feel. Note Students are required to purchase and download Adobe Photoshop for this course. We recommend purchasing the Adobe Photography bundle for $9.99/month.
Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Startups, and Venture Capital Funding (3 credits)
America’s economic prowess has been a direct result of its entrepreneurial culture and the acumen of its investors. This course introduces students to the process and potential of becoming an entrepreneur, managing a startup, and securing venture capital funding. It considers the various tools, techniques, and resources required to turn an idea into the next billion-dollar business.