University of Miami, Depatment of Biology, Sponsored Programs

 

Research Apprenticeship at MDCC (Bridges to the Future) Application

The application is available here, in PDF format

Bridge Program Student Responsibilities

The long-term goal of the NIH/HHMI Bridge program is to encourage students from underrepresented minorities to enter research careers in the biomedical sciences. The immediate goal of our program is to enable students to complete an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree and transfer into a baccalaureate degree program in the sciences at the University of Miami.

Students participating in the Bridge Program at MDCC are expected to fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Students must attend the MDCC Bridge course at UM the summer before enrolling at MDCC.
  2. Students must attend the Emerging Scholar's Workshop from 2:30-5:00 p.m. every Monday at UM (Coral Gables campus) during their first year.
  3. During the summer following their first year, all students must complete an instrumentation course (CHM 2135C) at MDCC North Campus and a Biotechnology course (BSC 2024C) at MDCC Kendall campus.
  4. During their second year, students are required to meet twice a month, from 3:30-5:00 PM, at UM (Coral Gables campus) for research seminars.
  5. Students, along with a parent or guardian, are required to attend three Sunday afternoon sessions at UM to learn about research careers in the sciences.
  6. Students are required to do a minimum of two semesters of research in a UM lab before graduating from MDCC, and they are required to write a scientific paper based on their research experience. The results will be presented at a mini-symposium at the end of the summer after their second year.
  7. Students are required to take a genetics course (BIL250) at UM (Coral Gables campus) during the summer immediately following their second year.
  8. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA while in the program and graduate with an A.A. degree. Note that if students expect to bridge to UM with a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholarship upon graduation from MDCC they must have a GPA of 3.5.

    Through the Bridge Program, you will:

    1. Have the opportunity to meet and interact with both MDCC and UM faculty throughout your two years at MDCC.
    2. Receive college credit for all courses taken at UM while at MDCC.
    3. Get research experience in a UM lab.
    4. You will be paid hourly $9.00 while you are doing research in a UM lab for a maximum of 60 hours a month over two semesters.
    5. Have the opportunity to compete for a special Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) scholarship to UM if you maintain a 3.5 or better GPA at MDCC and complete all of the requirements of the program.

    There are several important details to remember:

    1. The payment for research work is not intended to be a part-time job, but to assist you with the cost of books and/or special fees.
    2. You must receive an Honor's Program Academic Achievement Award, or Presidential Scholarship. You need to work with your Bridge advisor to plan your best schedule. This grant will cover the tuition for the Instrumentation and Biotechnology courses and all other courses taken at UM while you are enrolled at MDCC. It will not cover courses, which are repeated due to poor performance.

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