Welcome to COSMOS!
Our Mission
The mission of COSMOS is to motivate the most creative minds of the new generation of prospective scientists, engineers and mathematicians who will become leaders for California, the nation, and the world. The program aims to create a community of students who participate in and contribute to an intensive academic experience delivered by distinguished educators and scholars.
At the request of the State of California, UC provides an opportunity for students who wish to learn advanced mathematics and science and to prepare for careers in these areas. The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) is a residential academic experience for top high school students in mathematics and science. The COSMOS course clusters address topics not traditionally taught in high schools such as astronomy, aerospace engineering, biomedical sciences, computer science, wetlands ecology, ocean science, robotics, game theory, and more.
Academics
We offer a variety of academic clusters that consist of two science and/or math courses, and a science communication course. Courses are taught by active faculty and researchers. Students participate in hands-on labs, field activities, lectures, and discussions. Students also work on a related research project. Cluster sizes vary from 18-25 students and the student to academic staff ratio is typically 5:1. COSMOS is an academic enrichment program and is not meant to replace a yearlong high school course; therefore we do not grant high school or college academic credit.
Residential
Students are required to live on campus for the duration of the program. Living on campus allows students ample opportunities to form lasting friendships with like-minded peers who share the same interests in mathematics and science. On weekends, students may attend additional recreational field trips.
Application
Each campus can only accommodate 150 participants so selection is competitive. A typical COSMOS student has a GPA of 3.5 or above. Students must have achieved academic excellence. Only advanced level 8th graders will be admitted, an 8th grader enrolled in geometry is considered advanced. The application will be available online February 1st. The following factors are taken into consideration:
- Grades, especially in Math and Science courses
- Math/Science teacher recommendations
- Participation in math/science activities
- Responses to short-response questions
Fees & Financial Assistance
There is a non refundable application fee of $30. The tuition for the program is $2,310. Full and partial financial assistance is available. (Example: A family of four with a yearly income of $65,000 would likely qualify for full financial assistance). Non-California students pay the unsubsidized fee of $6,500 and are not eligible for financial assistance.
Our Partners
Core partners include UC faculty and their colleagues in CSU, California private colleges and universities, graduate and undergraduate students, master teachers in California's high schools, and business leaders. Talented high school students from the state's 58 counties, parents and counselors complete the teaching and learning community that COSMOS brings together. Beginning in 2005, four campuses will serve as hosts: Davis, Irvine, San Diego, and Santa Cruz..
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