A Dual-Degree Graduate Program to Build Infrastructure and Expand Opportunities for Graduate Education at an HBCU

在美国国家科学基金会的支持下，特拉华州立大学将建立一个分子和细胞神经科学项目，加强特拉华州立大学的研究和研究培训基础设施。神经科学硕士课程将：(1)培养有兴趣攻读高级学位的应届毕业生的学术和研究技能；(2)通过让研究生和本科生参与研究经历，培养攻读博士学位的兴趣；(3)在杜克州立大学和德雷塞尔大学神经科学博士项目之间建立研究生教育合作伙伴关系，以加强杜克州立大学的本科和研究生项目；(4)通过增加高级课程的数量和种类来改善生物学本科生的准备工作；(5)通过开发该州第一个神经科学学位项目来增加特拉华州居民的研究和研究培训机会。该项目包括教师启动支持、夏季工资、津贴和旅行津贴。DSU和Drexel之间的合作伙伴关系可以成为全国类似合作努力的典范，从而产生硕士/博士学位。项目。这个项目的智力价值在于它对分子和细胞神经科学知识库的贡献。该项目的更广泛影响在于扩大学生的研究机会，包括代表性不足的少数民族学生，以及成功获得STEM学科高级学位和研究职业的少数民族学生人数的预期增加。

With NSF support, Delaware State University will establish a program in molecular and cellular neuroscience, strengthening the research and research-training infrastructure at Delaware State University. The neuroscience MS program will: (1) build the academic and research skills of recent graduates who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree; (2) foster interest in pursuing a Ph.D. by involving graduate and undergraduate students in research experiences; (3) create a graduate education partnership between DSU and the Neuroscience Ph.D. program at Drexel University that will strengthen both undergraduate and graduate programs at DSU; (4) improve the preparation of biology undergraduates by increasing the number and variety of advanced courses available to them, and (5) increase the research and research training opportunities of Delaware residents by developing the first neuroscience degree program in the state. The project includes faculty start-up support, summer salaries, stipends and travel allowances. The partnership between DSU and Drexel could serve as a national model for similar collaborative efforts that result in M.S./PhD. programs.The intellectual merit of this project lies in its contribution to the knowledge base in molecular and cellular neuroscience. The broader impact of this project lies in the expanded research opportunities for students including underrepresented minority students and expected increases in the number of minority students who successfully pursue advanced degrees and research careers in STEM disciplines.