Fostering a Passion for Research: New integrative Science Research Fellows major launching fall 2017
The strong relationship formed between faculty members and students has long been a distinctive feature of a Baylor education, with professors serving as mentors and, often, even inviting undergraduates to work on research projects with them.
Now Baylor is doing even more in opening doors to undergraduates who have a passion for scientific research. Starting fall 2017, Baylor will launch the Science Research Fellows program, a new interdisciplinary academic major—BS Science Research Fellows—that aims to prepare students for a successful research career in fields like biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, psychology, neuroscience, environmental science, anthropology and geosciences.
It is the kind of program envisioned under Pro Futuris, serving as an example of how academic excellence can help students aspire to achieve bold goals and unlock their leadership potential.
“There is ample evidence showing that students who participate in undergraduate research are more likely to complete advanced degrees in STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] fields,” said Dr. Rizalia M. Klausmeyer, associate director of the Office of Prehealth Studies and director of the Science Research Fellows program in the College of Arts & Sciences. “We wanted students to be able to join a research lab earlier in their academic career and stay there longer, increasing the possibility of publishing and presenting their research at regional or national conferences.”
Students entering the program need to have excellent credentials in addition to a love for scientific research. Among the admission requirements is an SAT score of 1470 or higher. In addition, the major will be available to a select few, with only ten students being accepted into the program next fall.
“The Science Research Fellows major is for students who are serious about a research career and who want to obtain a PhD or an MD/PhD in the future,” Klausmeyer said. “We want those student who love science and are curious about how things work. We want to train the next generation of STEM research professors.”
Another goal of the program is to help students apply to national and international scholarships and fellowships, such as the Fulbright, Goldwater and Marshall Scholarships, as a way to advance their careers, she added.
During the first year at Baylor, students majoring in Science Research Fellows will have the opportunity to see how research is carried out in the different areas of science available at Baylor. They are then expected to join a research lab at the beginning of their sophomore year and stay for at least two years.
“The SRF curriculum is flexible to allow students to focus on research in their main science field, while giving them freedom to explore other fields they feel passionate about,” Klausmeyer said.
In addition to taking classes in the sciences, students in the program must also complete a minimum of 16 hours of Science Research Fellows credits. The curriculum will be challenging, but SRF majors will have support along the way: they are automatically accepted in the Science and Health Living-Learning Center located in East Village, providing a community for fellowship and collaboration; and Science Research Fellows majors also will receive personalized, one-on-one advising and guidance on classes, career goals and ways to further their education.
“We will closely monitor their progress, so any possible problems can be addressed and corrected early,” Klausmeyer said.