The University of Massachusetts Amherst

First-Generation Pioneers: Biology RAP (Bio-Pioneers) Fall 2021

Your first year at UMass starts a journey of personal and academic growth. To support this, the Office of Student Success and Diversity within the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) is excited to announce Bio-Pioneers RAP. This is a year-long invitation-only program for students, who are declared life science majors. The program focuses on students called first-generation, which refers to individuals whose parents have not graduated from a four-year institution of higher learning. The Bio-Pioneers RAP is designed to foster a smoother transition to college, a celebration of the first-generation identity, and provide academic and social support as students transition to college. In addition to providing a strong foundation in science the Bio-Pioneers RAP will ensure participants are well-prepared for careers in science and science-related fields through an emphasis on connecting students with undergraduate research experiences.

Bio-Pioneers RAP students will participate in courses designed specifically for this program. Participants will complete the required introductory-level Biology course sequence (Biology 151, Biology 152, and Biology 153) and their first-year seminar in small classes taught in the residential area.

Students in this RAP will also receive support through academic and professional development advising, tutoring (if needed), and dedicated peer collaborators (PCs).

Outside of the classroom, Bio-Pioneers members will engage in campus life through active involvement with the CNS community, such as discussions with first-generation faculty, graduate students, and staff, and social events organized by their PCs including a fall semester kick-off event!

Programming for the Bio-Pioneers RAP will begin one week prior to Fall NSO. All Bio-Pioneers students will move in early to take part in a specialized week-long social and academic orientation.

Students invited to apply to this novel RAP should follow the described procedures in the invitation letter to secure a position.

Students will live together in James Hall in the Southwest residential area. 

Goal:

Promote the success of students, who identify as first-generation, in the life science majors (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biology, Microbiology and Veterinary and Animal Sciences).

Expectations:

  • Live among other highly motivated students majoring in the life sciences.
  • Participate in introductory biology courses exclusive available for this RAP
  • Join in seminar classes that will enrich the skills needed to enhance success in the sciences
  • Engage with a community of CNS first-generation students through participation in academic and social activities
  • Learn about careers available to students with a life science major

Benefits:

  • Complete required foundational biology courses in small classes
  • Build relationships with CNS faculty, staff and peer mentors, called peer collaborators
  • Receive academic support through involvement in study groups facilitated by peer collaborators
  • Learn about contributions of diverse scientists to science knowledge
  • Receive personalized guidance about undergraduate research opportunities

Bio-Pioneers will enroll together in a designated section of this course which will be restricted to students in this RAP. The Fall Courses-Introductory Biology I (Biology 151, 3 credits) and Bio-Pioneers RAP Seminar (1 credit). The Spring Courses-Introductory Biology II (Biology 152, 3 credits), Introductory Biology Lab (Biology 153, 2 credits) and Bio-Pioneers RAP Seminar II (1 credit).

Biology 151 course (Fall semester) will cover topics such as cell signaling, protein activation and gene expression. Biology 152 course will cover such topics as evolution, ecology and population genetics.

The Fall RAP Seminar course will cover topics such as being first-generation at UMass, Study strategies, handling finances and importance of science diversity. The Spring RAP Seminar course will focus on applying for scholarships and building science literacy skills.

Bio-Pioneers Introductory Biology courses are…

  • planned to have an advanced pedagogical design.
  • centered around an active learning classroom environment.
  • built with problems that require participants to apply the logic of the processes of biological systems to predict the outcomes of manipulations or perturbations of the process. 
  • composed of formative assessment activities in guided problem solving.  
  • developed to enhance the ability to apply material learned to solve authentic science problems.

Seminar classes will…

  • introduce participates to a community of individuals that will connect you to UMass resources.
  • discuss unique issues that maybe encountered by first generation college students.
  • help participants network to become a leader in the UMass community.
  • involve assignments intended to increase student success in the sciences.

First-Generation Pioneers: Biology RAP (Bio-Pioneers)

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