Bethesda, Maryland
Director Fall 2010: Professor Jun Yoshino, Department of Psychology
Program prerequisites | Course descriptions | Living arrangements
| Extra costs | Deadlines | Helpful links
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Study Group offers the opportunity for Colgate students interested in the biomedical sciences to spend a full semester working in some of the most exciting research laboratories in the world. The NIH in Bethesda, MD, housing over 5000 active researchers, are the official federal research facilities of the United States. The hallmark of the study group is an intensive research experience involving 30+ hours of research each week in an NIH laboratory of the students’ choosing.
Program structure
Students will carry a normal course load of four credits while on the study group. The research experience will count for two of the required four course credits. Colgate course credit will appear on the transcript upon satisfactory completion of study group courses.
Required courses
All study group participants are required to enroll in the following courses:
BIOL 391Y & BIOL 491Y, Independent Study. This comprises the research component of the NIH experience. To meet the requirements for these courses, students will choose a research lab at the NIH and agree to spend a minimum of 30 hours each week (often longer) engaged in a meaningful research project under the direction of an NIH researcher. Performance will be evaluated by the NIH lab director, and will be based on progress made in the research project and the quality of a final poster presentation in scientific format at the end of the semester.
BIOL 392Y, Topics in the Primary Literature of the Molecular Biosciences. This classroom-based course will meet one day weekly. Students will take turns leading a discussion summarizing the primary literature relating to each individual’s research project. Each student will also be required to write a summary of the literature presented by the other students in the course. Students will be evaluated on the basis of their oral presentation, weekly summaries, and class participation. In addition, each student will be required to submit a final paper in scientific format describing the outcomes of their laboratory research project.
Prerequisites and selection criteria
The group is open to selected members of the classes of 2011 and 2012 who are in good academic standing. Successful applicants should be highly motivated toward a career or postgraduate education in the biomedical or health sciences, and be capable of working independently in a research environment. Completion of a year of general chemistry (CHEM 101–102 or CHEM 111), a year of organic chemistry (CHEM 263–264), Molecules, Cells and Genes (BIOL 212) and at least one course in Mathematics or Computer Science is required. Typically, successful applicants have been concentrators in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, or Neuroscience.
Electives
Students will choose one of the following two elective courses in addition to the courses listed above:
CHEM 389, Neurochemistry. This course will be taught by the Study Group leader. This course fulfills an elective for students concentrating in Molecular Biology and Neuroscience and serves as a general elective for others. This literature based course will explore what is currently known about relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis and idiopathic Alzheimer’s Disease.
CHEM 353Y, Proteins & Nucleic Acids. This course, taught by an instructor from the Bethesda area, is a required or recommended course for students concentrating in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, and Neuroscience. This course is strongly recommended for all students who have not yet taken it and are working in biological research.
Living arrangements
Students will live in housing arranged by Colgate University in the Cleveland House located near the Woodley Park Zoo Metro stop in the District of Columbia. Commuting to the Medical Center stop at NIH is approximately 15 minutes from this housing. Students will not need a car to participate in the NIH Study Group. Colgate will make the necessary arrangements for leases, and will charge students for housing.
Extracurricular opportunities
The Metro underground public transportation system provides easy access to Washington, DC, and all the cultural and governmental opportunities of our nation’s capitol city.
Field trips
The group will take at least two trips during the semester to attend events of cultural interest in the Washington, DC area. These will include a sporting event, a visit to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore and National Aquarium, and a political-comedy show by the Capitol Steps.
Costs
Costs above Colgate’s tuition include apartment rent and meals, travel to and from the study group site, travel to and from the NIH from the prearranged housing area, and incidentals. On the average students can expect to spend $300-400 more than a semester on campus. These increased costs are used in calculating the aid packages of students who receive financial aid, provided this is their first study group experience.
Estimate of Student Expenses
Special features
The NIH attracts some of the world’s finest scientists. There can be as many as 50 public lectures each day; so many that the NIH campus has its own daily news sheet just to keep its population informed. The library at the NIH has one of the best collections of scientific literature in the world. Colgate students often obtain summer employment in research laboratories at NIH or work opportunities after graduation as a direct result of contacts made while attending the NIH Study Group.
Deadlines
Applications are available from Professor Yoshino’s Office (Olin 208). Information sessions will be held October 13 and 14 in Olin 129 at 5:00. The application deadline is Friday, November 20, 2009. Required interviews for all applicants will be scheduled prior to the November 20 deadline, so please see Professor Yoshino in advance to sign up for a time slot. Applications should be submitted to Jun Yoshino (208 Olin or his mailbox in 108 Olin).
Calendar
It is anticipated that classes will begin on Monday, August 30, 2010 and will end on Friday, December 17, 2010. Colgate’s fall break will not be observed, but federal holidays will be. There will be an appropriate Thanksgiving recess during the week of November 22.
Helpful links
Sponsoring departments
Information for non-Colgate applicants
General Information
Course related materials