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Bethesda, Maryland
Director Fall 2012: Professor Barbara Hoopes, Department of Biology
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 health-related 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 393Y & BIOL 493Y, Colgate Study Group Research: NIH. 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 mentor and the director and will be based on progress made in the research project and the quality of a paper in scientific format turned in 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.
Prerequisites and selection criteria
The group is open to selected members of the classes of 2013 and 2014 who are in good academic standing. Successful applicants should be highly motivated toward a career or postgraduate education in the biological 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 before attending the study group. Typically, successful applicants have been majors 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 353Y, Proteins & Nucleic Acids. This course will be taught by an instructor from the Bethesda area. This course is a survey of biopolymers and the methods of biopolymer research. This is a required or recommended course for students majoring in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, or Neuroscience.
BIOL 351Y, Topics in Advanced Cellular Physiology: RNA. This course, taught by the Study Group Director, serves as a Biology elective or general elective. Readings in this course are taken from the primary scientific literature. This course covers the current research about the structure, synthesis and function of non-coding RNA molecules.
Living arrangements
Students will live in furnished apartments arranged by Colgate University in the Cleveland House located near the Woodley Park/Zoo Metro stop in the District of Columbia. Commuting from the Woodley Park/Zoo metro stop 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 apartment leases and will charge students for housing.
Extracurricular opportunities
The Metro underground public transportation system provides easy access to Washington, DC, and all the opportunities of our nation’s capital 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 may include a sporting event, a visit to Mt. Vernon or Baltimore, 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 campus from the prearranged housing area, and incidentals. On the average students can expect to spend $350-$450 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 facilities at the NIH are one of the best 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 in the Office of Off-Campus Study in Lathrop Hall and in the Biology Office (Ho 222). Information sessions will be held Monday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 pm and Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 pm in Olin 302. The application deadline is Friday, November 18, 2011. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to interview with Prof. Hoopes before the application deadline. Applications should be submitted to Prof. Barbara Hoopes (Office Olin 209) or to the Biology office.
Calendar It is anticipated that classes will begin on Monday, August 27, 2012 and will end on Friday, December 7, 2012, followed by a one-week exam period. 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 19.
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