Summer prior to first year
ReBUILDetroit scholars begin the summer before taking first class in the Summer Enrichment Program. The summer program provides a taste of college life while taking classes and learning valuable skills.
The aim of this 7-week program is to provide exposure to biomedical fields and various disciplines, show how scientists think and ask questions, introduce the support programs and resources available on campus, and provide information on the three options for your first-year research project. The summer enrichment program is scheduled from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Monday through Friday. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be identified as a BUILD scholar, and receive a stipend for your hard work (contingent on availability of grant funds).
Scholars not selected for the ReBUILDetroit program are still able to be part of the ReBUILDetroit community. Meetings and any special classes associated with this program are open to all students. Unfortunately, only selected scholars will continue to receive financial support.
Year 1
ReBUILDetroit Scholars enroll in program courses according to the partner college or university curriculum.
Following the academic track of the scholar’s major at the home institution, scholars gain knowledge to become a biomedical researcher.
In the first semester, scholars take a research methods course and join a Research Coordination Network (RCN). There are three RCNs to choose from themed around chemistry, health disparities, and biology. Biology has two options, depending on the institution the scholar is enrolled.
Research Methods Course
Year 1: Research methodology courses with authentic laboratory research experiences.
The Research Methods Course is a one-credit course offered at all partner institutions. This course introduces students to asking questions and compares it with how questions are asked in different biomedical disciplines. Scholars will also be introduced to different types of information that might constitute “data” and how those data are used to reach an understanding about a question.
Research Experiences:
Students can choose one of three course-based undergraduate research experiences.
- Chemistry – This course focuses on analytical chemistry of urban farms. Based on partnerships with farms, Scholars will collect samples and data for analysis of urban farms.
- Health Disparities – This course focuses on a mixed-methods study of food choices and the impact of those food choices on health and health disparities.
- Biology –
- University of Detroit Mercy offers a two-semester Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Science Education Alliance Phage Discover Lab (SEAPHAGES) project. The SEAPHAGES project is designed to give students a unique mentored research experience in their freshman year. Students will be part of a larger national consortium to isolate and characterize new bacteriophage (viruses that infect bacteria).
- Wayne State University offer a one-semester course affiliated with the Barcode of Life Project.
Additionally, scholars meet once a week to share your experiences with each other. Guest speakers will share their pathway to their careers. Scholars will also participate in workshops about entering an active research laboratory (Entering Mentoring) and responsible conduct in research (RCR).
Second semester
During the second semester, scholars work in the laboratory of a faculty member at the University of Detroit Mercy or at Wayne State University. Scholars are matched with a faculty mentor, join their research laboratory and paid for the experience (based on availability of grant funding).
Summer 2 through undergraduate graduation
Following the first-year and for the remaining semesters and summers, scholars participate in the Summer Research Experience, a faculty-mentored laboratory research experience. The 8-week summer program provides an in-depth research experience with opportunities to participate in learning communities and present research which may lead to publishing opportunities.
Accelerated Pathway to Graduate School at Wayne State University
As scholars progress through the program, there is an option of taking classes at Wayne State University (WSU) that will double count toward a Master’s degree at WSU. As a Master’s student, scholars also have the option to have some Master’s credits applied to a Doctoral program, further accelerating the degree.