Virginia Commonwealth University Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program

 描述(由申请人提供)：弗吉尼亚联邦大学研究生研究教育计划(VCU-PREP)将通过明确的目标和可衡量的目标，为生物医学和行为科学领域竞争激烈的博士课程的代表人数不足的学生做准备。在目标1中，每年将为VCU-Prep的7个职位招聘5名合格的申请者(本科生GPA高于3.0)。被接受的候选人将在学术上有能力，但可能缺乏进入美国最具竞争力的博士项目的研究准备和/或严格的学术课程。VCU-Prep候选人将通过我们的网站和与合作少数族裔服务机构的教师互动来招聘，在这些机构中，学术合格的学生不太可能拥有广泛的研究经验。此外，招聘将从VCU博士项目的申请者池中进行。这些直接外展活动将通过在国家会议上传播计划信息来补充招聘，例如少数民族学生年度生物医学研究会议(ABRCMS)。在目标2中，VCU-Prep学者将参与一次密集的、积极指导的研究体验。每名VCU-Prep奖学金获得者将根据该奖学金获得者的研究兴趣，与一名高素质的VCU教师导师匹配。VCU-Prep导师的选择是基于他们经过同行审查的外部资金和出版记录，以及良好的培训和指导成功记录。VCU-Prep学者的预期成果包括在VCU研究研讨会和国家科学会议上发表演讲，最终目标是出版手稿。在目标3中，VCU-Prep学者将被提供一个个性化的课程，以提高学术水平。他们将接受一对一的口头交流和科学写作培训。VCU-Prep学生将接受GRE考试的正式指导，并参加有关量化技能、研究生院入学和职业/专业发展的研讨会。学生将参加一个互动的日记俱乐部，以发展分析和批判性思维技能。VCU-Prep学者将参加由学者、项目主任和研究导师挑选的课程，为他们进入研究生院做准备，并将接受负责任的研究行为方面的培训。在目标4中，将对VCU-Prep学者和VCU URM博士生实施严格的评估和跟踪系统。我们预计VCU预备培训将导致75%的学者过渡到竞争激烈的博士课程，至少80%的人坚持到学位。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Virginia Commonwealth University Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (VCU-PREP) will prepare underrepresented students for highly competitive doctoral programs in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, through specific aims and measurable objectives. In Aim 1, 5 qualified applicants (with an undergraduate GPA greater than 3.0) will be recruited annually for each of 7 positions in VCU-PREP. Acceptable candidates will be academically competent, but may lack the research preparation and/or rigorous academic coursework for admission to the nation's most competitive PhD programs. VCU-PREP candidates will be recruited through our website and through interactions with faculty at partner Minority Serving Institutions, where academically qualified students are less likely to have extensive research experience. Additionally, recruitment will be achieved from the applicant pools of VCU PhD programs. These direct outreach activities will be complemented by recruitment through the dissemination of program information at national meetings, such as the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). In Aim 2, VCU-PREP Scholars will participate in an intensive, positive mentored research experience. Each VCU- PREP Scholar will be matched with a highly qualified VCU faculty mentor, based on the Scholar's research interests. Selection of VCU-PREP Mentors is based on their peer-reviewed external funding and publication records, and an excellent record of training and mentoring success. Expected outcomes for VCU-PREP Scholars include presentations at VCU research symposia and national scientific meetings, with a published manuscript as an ultimate goal. In Aim 3, VCU-PREP Scholars will be provided with an individualized program for academic enhancement. They will have one-on-one training in oral communication and scientific writing. VCU-PREP students will have formal instruction in GRE test-taking, and participate in workshops on Quantitative Skills, Graduate School Admission, and Career/Professional Development. Students will participate in an interactive journal club to develop Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills. VCU-PREP Scholars will take courses to prepare them for graduate school, selected by the Scholar, Program Directors, and Research Mentor, and will have training in the responsible conduct of research. In Aim 4, a rigorous evaluation and tracking system will be implemented for longitudinal follow-up of VCU-PREP Scholars and VCU URM doctoral students. We expect VCU PREP training to result in the transition of 75% of scholars to highly competitive doctoral programs, and at least 80% persistence to degree.