SMART Post-Baccalaureate Ph.D PREP Program

描述(由申请人提供)：贝勒医学院的SMART预科奖学金计划将提供更好的教育机会，为未被充分代表的少数族裔(URM)大学毕业生进入生物医学相关研究生课程并取得成功，并进入生物医学研究职业生涯做好准备。主要的重点将是那些希望进入博士项目的参与者，但我们将考虑潜在的有竞争力的MD/博士候选人。将通过为每位预备奖学金获得者制定个人发展计划来加强教育。预计大多数学者将在一年内完成该项目，但随着智力发展的增加，将有第二年的选择，要么重复活动，要么进入更高级的课程。参与者将有四分之三的时间担任技术人员，并在生物医学科学的前沿进行研究。他们将通过定向阅读科学论文、实验室会议、期刊俱乐部和与他们的研究兴趣有关的研讨会来智力地参与研究。他们将通过一门特别设计的课程来建立他们在分子和细胞生物学(MCB)方面的知识，该课程强调实验方法、量化技能、伦理决策和URM科学家的贡献。目前有48名URM博士生和医学博士/博士生注册在BCM项目中。这些学生将组成客座讲师的基础，他们将为一些MCB课程主题提供一个“研究相关性”部分。GRE预备课程、MCAT审查(针对潜在的MD/Ph/.D.候选人)、研究生院申请讲习班、伦理和安全培训以及技能建设讲习班将提供成为一名科学家所需的各种技能方面的额外培训。将根据需要提供英语、数学或物理方面的个人辅导和指导。教师和研究生指导和参加MERGE(URM学生组织)会议和科学会议将有助于激励和激励参与者在成为科学界成员时努力追求卓越。评估工具将评估学者、导师、工作人员的进展和表现以及计划组成部分的影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The SMART PREP Scholars program at Baylor College of Medicine will provide educational opportunities to better prepare underrepresented minority (URM) college graduates to enter and succeed in biomedical related graduate programs and progress into biomedical research careers. The primary focus will be on participants who wish to matriculate into Ph.D. programs, but we will consider potentially competitive MD/Ph.D. candidates. Education will be enhanced by creating individual development plans for each PREP Scholar. It is anticipated that most Scholars will complete the program in one year, but there will be options for a second year with increasing intellectual development either repeating activities or progressing into more advanced courses. Participants will work 3/4 time as technicians and conduct research at the frontier of biomedical science. They will participate intellectually in the research through directed reading of scientific papers, in lab meetings, journal clubs and seminars that relate to their research interests. They will build their knowledge in molecular and cellular biology (MCB) through a specially designed course that emphasizes experimental approaches, quantitative skills, ethical decision making and the contributions of URM scientists. There are currently 48 URM Ph.D. and MD/Ph.D. students enrolled in BCM programs. These students will form a base of guest lecturers who will present a "research relevance" section for some of the MCB course topics. A GRE preparatory course, MCAT review (for potential MD/Ph/.D. candidates), graduate school application workshops, ethics and safety training and skills building workshops will provide additional training in a variety of skills needed to succeed as a scientist. Individual tutoring and instruction will be provided in English, math or physical sciences as needed. Faculty and graduate student mentoring and attending MERGE (URM student organization) meetings and scientific conferences will help inspire and motivate participants to strive for excellence as they become members of the scientific community. Evaluation tools will assess progress and performance of Scholars, mentors, staff and the impact of program components.