Florida International University MARC U*STAR Program

描述(由申请人提供)：FIU是一家位于迈阿密的公共研究机构(RU/H)。它有大约50,000名学生(&gt；73%UR)，强调其使命中的研究，并将健康和多样性作为战略主题。FIU提供了一个极好的机会，为生物医学研究事业培养大量全面发展、代表性不足(UR)的科学家。2007年，FIU为大一新生推出了一门严格的生物科学试点课程，名为课堂量化生物学(QBIC)。QBIC已经令人印象深刻地从大一到大四毕业了三批毕业生，成功地通过了所有学术和行政评估和审查步骤，现在从2013年秋季开始，作为FIU生物科学系的定量生物学课程被制度化。Qbic为FIU的MARC U*STAR项目提供了一批有才华和特别准备的学者。在我们建议的5年资助期内，我们要求每年资助8名大三学生，直至毕业，为期两年(总计40名)，他们将从QBIC和传统课程中有才华和准备充分的优秀学生中挑选出来，因为我们并不是所有有才华的学生都在QBIC。QBIC是由FIU的生物科学、统计学、数学、化学、物理、计算机科学和生物医学工程系开发的一个为期4年的课程。这是一个综合的步调一致的“块”计划，学生们一起上课，块内的课程已经确定了重叠协同的协调领域。学者们可以看到生物数据是如何分析的，数学是如何对生物过程建模的，教学单位向他们展示了合理的生物学理论是如何产生的。第一部分(大一和大二)利用教学五角大楼将微积分和统计学与生物、遗传学、生态学和化学相结合；第二部分(大三和大四)提供量身定制的高级课程。MARC U*STAR实习生将积极参与定向科学研究和丰富活动，包括建模研讨会、期刊俱乐部活动、专业发展研讨会、科学咖啡馆、科学演示和参与校外研究。因此，FIU的MARC U*STAR计划的短期和长期目标和可衡量的目标包括：(1)为有动力的、优秀的学生提供工具和技能，使他们在学术上具有竞争力并取得成功；(2)通过活动增强和培养他们对科学的兴趣，使他们沉浸在支持性和激励性的研究环境中；(3)增加UR继续、擅长和完成生物医学或行为科学博士或MD/博士计划的人数。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): FIU is a public, research institution (RU/H) located in Miami. It has an enrollment of ~50,000 students (>73% UR), emphasizes research in its mission and includes health and diversity as strategic themes. FIU provides an excellent opportunity to develop a significant number of well-rounded, underrepresented (UR) scientists for biomedical research careers. In 2007, FIU launched a rigorous pilot biological sciences curriculum for freshmen called Quantifying Biology in the classroom (QBIC). Having impressively graduated three freshman-through-senior cohorts of graduates, QBIC successfully passed all academic and administrative evaluation and review steps, and is now institutionalized, beginning Fall 2013, as a Quantitative Biology Track in FIU's Biological Sciences Department. QBIC offers a pool of talented & exceptionally prepared scholars for FIU's MARC U*STAR Program. For each year of our proposed 5-year grant period, we request funding to support 8 juniors, through graduation, for two years (totaling 40), who will be selected from a pool of talented and well-prepared honors students in QBIC and traditional curricula, since not all of our talented students are in QBIC. QBIC is a 4-year program developed by FIU's biological sciences, statistics, mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer science and biomedical engineering faculty. It is an integrated lock-step cohort "block" program where students take classes together, and courses within blocks have identified & coordinated areas of overlapping synergy. Scholars get to see how biological data is analyzed, how mathematics can model biological processes, and teaching units show them how sound biological theories are generated. Part 1 (freshmen & sophomores) integrates calculus & statistics with biology, genetics, ecology & chemistry using a Teaching Pentagon; Part 2 (juniors & seniors), offers tailored-upper level courses. MARC U*STAR trainees will actively participate in directed scientific research & enrichment activities that include modeling workshops, journal club activities, professional development workshops, science cafes, scientific presentations & participation in extramural research. Thus, the three-prong short and long term goals and measurable objectives for FIU's MARC U*STAR Program include: (1) provide motivated, honors students with the tools & skills that allow them to be academically competitive & successful; (2) immerse them in supportive & stimulating research environments with activities that enhance & nurture their interest in science, (3) increase the number of UR who continue on to, excel in and complete biomedical or behavioral sciences Ph.D. or MD/PhD programs.