MARC U-STAR Training Program at St. Augustine's College

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议的培训计划的目标是增加圣奥古斯丁学院的学生谁毕业，准备，申请，并被接受，录取，并成功地在研究生学习，导致在生物医学学科的研究博士学位的数量。该计划将补充具有类似目标的其他活动，但与其他活动不同的是，它将主要侧重于高年级学生。MARC U-STAR计划将实施经研究验证的活动，旨在：在5年内将SMC学生人数增加一倍;在5年内将每个SMC学科的AY 2002荣誉学生人数增加一倍;修订SMC课程，以便更好地为学生的研究生学习做准备;为所有SMC学生提供有关生物医学职业和他们的教育要求不迟于大三开始的信息;为所有初级和高级荣誉学生提供涵盖研究技能和负责任的研究行为的课程;并以研究生研讨会的形式，向杰出的科学家及其工作提供接触;为所有目前没有参与研究的SMC全职教职员工提供培训，使他们能够：将研究纳入其上级部门SMC课程和（B）开发和实施研究计划，也将扩大学生研究的机会;提供本科研究经验，学费和津贴的初级和高级MARC U-STAR学员每年;使MARC U-STAR学员适应研究生院的社会、学术和专业需求和环境。每项活动都有可衡量的目标和基线数据，将聘请一名独立评价员进行形成性和总结性评估。由于学院本科研究的机会和设备有限，因此形成了一个“外部导师”网络，以监督学生的研究工作，因为学院发展了自己的研究能力。为此目的，已要求提供少量实验室设备，并要求提供经费，用于修订课程和开展一些有限制的低年级发展活动。主要研究者为Dr. Mark A。梅尔顿，生物系主任。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of the proposed training program is to increase the number of St. Augustine's College students who graduate, are prepared for, apply to, and are accepted, matriculate and succeed in graduate studies leading to research doctorates in the biomedical disciplines. The program will complement other activities with similar goals, however it, unlike the others, will primarily focus on upper division students. The MARC U-STAR program will implement activities validated by research that are designed to: double the number of SMC students within 5 years; double the number of AY 2002 Honors students in each SMC discipline within five years; revise SMC curricula so as to better prepare students for graduate studies; provide all SMC students with information about biomedical careers and their educational requirements beginning no later than the beginning of the junior year; provide all junior and senior Honors students with courses that cover research skills and the responsible conduct of research; and, in a graduate seminar format, provide exposure to eminent scientists and their work; provide all full-time SMC faculty members who are not currently involved in research with training that will allow them to (a) incorporate research in their upper division SMC courses and (b) develop and implement research programs that also will expand opportunities for student research; provide undergraduate research experiences, tuitions and stipends for junior and senior level MARC U-STAR trainees yearly; and acclimatize MARC U-STAR trainees to the social, academic and professional demands and environments of graduate institutions. Each activity is associated with measurable goals and baseline data and an independent evaluator will be employed to conduct formative and summative assessments. Because the College has limited opportunities and equipment for undergraduate research, a network of 'External Preceptors' has been formed, to oversee students' research work as the College develops its own research capabilities. To that end, a small amount of laboratory equipment has been requested as well as funds for curriculum revision and some circumscribed lower division development activities. The Principal Investigator will be Dr. Mark A. Melton, Head of the Biology Department.