A four-year approach to preparing interdisciplinary scientists.

1. A four-year approach to preparing interdisciplinary scientists. Diane Tucker, Joe March, Michele Gould, Alan Eberhardt University of Alabama at Birmingham

2. Brief background on UAB and STHP (5 minutes) Recruitment and selection to the program (10 minutes) (break for questions) Preparation and training to begin research (25 minutes) (break for questions) Description of successful transition to the research environment. (5 minutes) (discussion of undergraduate research programs) Organization of this Presentation

3. Fall 2006 Enrollment: 16,561 (excluding advanced professionals) Undergraduate 11,284 Graduate 4,302 First Professional 975 Advanced Professional 1,030 Five medical specialties within the UAB School of Medicine are ranked in the Top 20 nationally by U.S. News & World Report in its graduate school rankings. Nearly 500 NIH grants totaling > $190 million dollars annually About UAB

4. Inception of Science and Technology Honors Program • UAB’s strategic plan includes increasing the quality of undergraduate students • Increase number of honors students • Develop a thematic honors program builds upon UAB’s strength in biomedical research • Program began in Fall 2005

5. Create a curriculum that Recruits and trains talented and highly motivated science and engineering students Builds upon the research strengths of the university Connect undergraduates to graduate programs Involves students in mentored research experiences early in their career Leads to continued academic contributions in the sciences and engineering The Science and Technology Honors Program (STHP)

6. Scientific Leaders Scientific Leaders of the Next Generation • Vision: • Prepare students to be the scientific leaders of the next generation • Interdisciplinary perspective • Skilled in scientific communication • Experience with state of the art research methods • Intensive mentored research experience

7. Seek to recruit highly motivated, talented students Screened using guidelines established by Advisory Council Academic performance or standardized tests (gpa, ACT/SAT) Attention to diversity Initiative to take challenging science courses (AP science courses if available) Letters of recommendation indicating strong science skills, research experience, outstanding leadership skills Career interests that are consistent with the goals of STHP Applications and Selection

8. Attractive Features of STHP (Student Perspective) • Data from survey administered at orientation • Reasons for enrolling in STHP • Increase career, graduate or professional school opportunities (> 90%) • Close interaction with faculty (> 75%) • Research opportunities (> 70%) • Tuition assistance with graduate school at UAB (> 70 %) • Cohesive group of students (60%)

9. 2007 2008 Applicants: 72 104 Offers: 55 70 Enrolled 27 39 Recruiting Snapshot

10. Questions?

11. Preparation and training to begin research • Establishing a learning community focused on science • Interdisciplinary courses that supplement traditional majors • Creation of laboratory training courses • Placement in a research environment

12. Learning Community of Scientists:Fall Retreat Off campus; overnight Team building and leadership training Q & A with upperclassmen Time for social connections

13. Learning Community of Scientists: Housing & Sci Tech Honors Facility • Housing on Honors Floors • Honors facility available to students 24/7 • Student study groups form • In dorms • In STHP facility

14. Cooperated with academic departments to create special sections for STHP students Chemistry Public Speaking English (Scientific and Technical Communication) Psychology Reviewed STHP goals with instructors to assure interdisciplinary science emphasis Increased STHP awareness of content and expectations in CORE courses Learning Community of Scientists:Core-curriculum sections for STHP

15. Program meetings twice monthly Seminars by distinguished UAB scientists Goal-setting sessions Social activities Movie nights Campus scavenger hunt Intramural sports Community service Science education Service to homeless Learning Community of Scientists:Program Activities Dr. James McClintockAntarctic Marine Biologist

16. Learning Community of Scientists: Development of Student Leadership Faculty cannot create student leadership In Year 2 of program, the students created a Student Executive Committee Students • Included in recruiting and interview process • Plan Program Meetings • Plan community service • Lead fall retreat Executive Committee Co-chairs

17. Year-end Recognition Reception Deserves recognition—STHP is extra work Recognizes students accomplishments and awards Honors those that have contributed to the program Includes FUN Learning Community of Scientists:Celebrating Achievements

18. Four seminar courses in first two years Introductory Seminar (STH 199) Research Approaches I and II (STH 201 and 202) Interdisciplinary Seminar (STH 299) Focused on Research design and scientific thinking Ethics (selecting mentor, authorship, ownership, scientific integrity) Hands-on laboratory experiences in research settings Interdisciplinary focus throughout Preparing students for faculty expectations Interdisciplinary courses that supplement traditional majors

19. Laboratory Training Courses Two 8-week laboratory modules for freshmen that provide hands on experience with foundational laboratory methods • Biotechnology • Engineering Design and Analysis

20. Identifying Mentors Responsibility of STHP to ensure that students are prepared General Process for Identifying a Mentor • Broad exposure to research and faculty • Assignments require making connections between experiences and personal goals • Advising session identifies possible matches • Students review faculty research areas • STHP faculty may facilitate initial contact • Students make appointment

21. Monitoring the Research Experience • Complete STHP Research Experience Agreement form with mentor • Specifies scope of project • Plan for mentoring • Anticipated work hours • STHP faculty check with mentor mid-semester • End-of-Semester evaluation by mentor

22. BREAK/Questions

23. Success in Research Placements • 80% of current STHP students are in research labs • 60% of freshmen are working with a research mentor this summer • Five students studying abroad this summer • 2 freshmen in NSF- funded nanomaterials research program in Poland and then Czech Republic

24. Basil Bakir, Biomedical Engineering Interested in the biochemistry of schizophrenia He studies glutamate synapses in post mortem brains from schizophrenic patients This work will help understand the cause of symptoms not treated by current medications • Mentor: James Meador-Woodruff, Chair of Psychiatry

25. Kelli Money, Chemistry • Examining how spatial information is processed in the brain.  • Her work will help understand how "place cells“ in the hippocampus direct animal behavior. Mentor: David Sweatt, Chair Dept. of Neurobiology

26. Aaron Neal, Chemistry Working toward development of a vaccine for malaria. He is analyzing blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum merozoites to determine their potential as immunogenic antigens.  Traveling to Peru this summer to collect samples Mentor: Julian Rayner, Dept of Infectious Diseases

27. Student comments

28. Acknowledgments President Carol Garrison Provost Eli Capilouto Wachovia Foundation Participating UAB Faculty!!!

29. For more information… www.uab.edu/sthonors Diane C. Tucker, Ph.D. Director dtucker@uab.edu Joe L. March, Ph.D. Associate Director march@uab.edu

31. Brochures were distributed to more than 4000 students in 2007-2008 Personalized letter of invitation to students who intend to major in STEM disciplines and who meet minimum GPA (3.25) and ACT/SAT (25/1100) standards Attended any STHP presentation gave their contact information as part of presentations for STHP during high school recruiting events at high schools, UAB Engineering Days, or Science Fairs SLC June 2, 2008 Disseminating information about the program (Brochures and Mailings)

32. Faculty and student involvement Informal reception area hosted by current students Formal Interview panel that consists of two faculty from STEM disciplines and one STHP student (25 minutes) One-on-One interview with STHP Director (5-10 minutes) Criteria Curiosity about science Interests consistent with program SLC June 2, 2008 Interview process

33. Vision Prepare students to be the scientific leaders of the next generation • Interdisciplinary perspective • Skilled in scientific communication • Experience with state of the art research methods • Intensive mentored research experience

34. SLC June 2, 2008 Learning Community of Scientists • Fall retreat • Housing • Core-curriculum sections for STHP • Bi-monthly Program Meetings • Development of Student Leadership Teams • Year-end Recognition Reception

35. A four-year approach to preparing interdisciplinary scientists.  ABSTRACT: The Science and Technology Honors Program (STHP) was established to help students become integrated into the large research enterprise at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) leading to their advancement to graduate or professional school. This session will describe how students are recruited to the program, how they are prepared and trained to begin research as early as the end of their freshman year, how they are matched with faculty mentors, and how students have successfully transitioned to the research environment. Strategies to be described will include descriptions of how a learning community is established early in a student’s career, interdisciplinary courses that supplement traditional majors, the creation of laboratory training courses, cutting-edge research seminar series, examples of research experiences that have led to publications, and our success at helping students reach graduate or professional schools.