RCMS Program in the Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering

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The primary purpose of the proposed program is to identify and prepare minority college students in the sciences and mathematics for careers at the graduate and professional levels. To this end, a Research Careers for Minority Students (RCMS) training group with emphasis in cell and molecular biology, organic and pharmacal chemistry, mathematics, physics and engineering has been established at Howard University. Details of the research program are shown in the body of the proposal. The program targets college juniors and seniors and high school teachers. Interfacing with ongoing pre-college science and mathematics programs (PEW/Rockefeller) and college programs (MARC/MBRS/Howard Hughes) will allow early identification and selection of highly competent trainees for the RCMS program. Based upon academic performance, letters of recommendation, and degree of motivation program trainees who are selected at the end of their sophomore year, will be offered a summer internship in laboratories at Howard University where they will be exposed to an intense research regimen in the field of their major. The summer internship should provide them guidance and skills needed to attract them into a high-quality research program during the academic year. Ten RCMS trainees will be identified in year one, and a total of 20 students will be carried by this program each succeeding year. During the academic year, RCMS trainees will enroll in an undergraduate research course (3 cr) where they will work directly with a faculty mentor on his/her research subspecialty.