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少数族裔服务研究机构。它有38,000多名学生(71.99%的URM)，将“健康”作为一个指定的任务区，并提出了成为全国顶尖的公立城市研究型大学之一的明确目标。FIU提供了为生物医学研究事业培养大量URM科学家的绝佳机会。2007年秋季，FIU为一年级新生推出了一门新的严格的生物科学课程，名为课堂上的量化生物学(Q‘BIC)，它是综合的和定量的。FIU预计，Q‘BIC将为其MARC U*STAR项目提供一批才华横溢、训练有素的学生。FIU建议在Q‘BIC课程中为18名学生提供MARC U*STAR计划，而在传统课程中为6名优等生提供MARC U*STAR计划。这种格式是必要的，因为Q‘BIC的学生在第一个授予年度没有资格申请MARC U*STAR，但这种格式可以提供重要的见解。在5年资助期的第一年，将从参与学科中挑选6名大三学生；对于第二年、第三年和第四年，他们将从Q‘BIC注册的25名学生中挑选出来。Q‘BIC是由FIU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。Q‘BIC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。学者们能够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(一年级和二年级)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(三年级和四年级)，提供量身定制的高级课程。MARC U*STAR研究员积极参与指导的科学研究和丰富活动，包括模拟和建模工作坊、期刊俱乐部活动、论文写作研讨会、科学咖啡馆、科学演示和参与校外研究计划。因此，Flu的MARC U*STAR计划的三管齐下的目标是：(1)为有动力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)让他们沉浸在支持性和激励性的研究环境中，提高和培养他们对科学的兴趣；(3)增加继续攻读、擅长和完成生物医学或行为科学博士或MD/博士项目的URM人数。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): FIU is a public minority-serving research institution located in Miami. It has an enrollment of 38,000+ students (71.99% URM), "health" as a designated mission area, and a stated goal to be one of the nation's top public urban research universities. FIU provides an excellent opportunity to develop a significant number of URM scientists for biomedical research careers. In Fall 2007, FIU launches a new and rigorous biological sciences curriculum for freshmen called Quantifying Biology in the classroom (Q'BIC) that is integrative and quantitative. FIU anticipates that Q'BIC will provide a pool of talented & exceptionally prepared students for its MARC U*STAR Program. FIU proposes a MARC U*STAR Program for 18 students in a Q'BIC curriculum, & 6 top students in a traditional curriculum. This format is necessary because students in Q'BIC will not be eligible for MARC U*STAR the first grant year, yet this format can provide significant insights. For year 1 of the 5-year grant period, 6 juniors will be selected from participating disciplines; for years 2, 3 & 4, they will be selected from pools of 25 students enrolled in Q'BIC. Q'BIC is a 4-year program developed by FIU biological sciences, statistics, mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer science and biomedical engineering faculty. Q'BIC 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 are able 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; Part 2 (juniors & seniors), offers tailored- upper level courses. MARC U*STAR Fellows actively participate in directed scientific research & enrichment activities that include a simulation & modeling work-shop, journal club activities, thesis writing workshop, science cafes, scientific presentations & participation in extramural research programs. Thus, the three-prong goal for FlU's MARC U*STAR Program is: (1) provide motivated students with the tools & skills that allow them to be academically competitive & successful; (2) immerse them in supportive & stimulating research environments that enhance & nurture their interest in science, (3) increase the number of URM who continue on to, excel in and complete biomedical or behavioral sciences Ph.D. or MD/PhD programs.