Selection & Continuation Criteria

CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF MBRS STUDENT PARTICIPANTS

1. Applicants must be a United States citizen, or a non-citizen national lawfully admitted as a permanent resident with current registration, enrolled as a full-time matriculated student on the TWU Denton campus.

2. Applicants should demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in the biomedical sciences.

3. Applicants for the MBRS program must be motivated to pursue research activities, must be able to work with others, and should be willing to accept constructive criticism.

4. Academic credentials are as follows:

A. Freshman Students enrolling full-time at TWU Denton

1. high school transcript of grades

2. ACT composite score of at least 18

3. overall high school grade point average of 2.8, based on a 4.0 scale

4. one letter of recommendation from a high school science teacher

B. Undergraduate students presently enrolled full-time at TWU Denton (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior students)

1. an overall GPA of 2.8, based on a 4.0 scale

2. a 3.0 GPA in the basic science courses (chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics)

3. one letter of recommendation from a college science instructor

C. Graduate Students

1. meet admissions requirements of the University graduate school and remain in good standing (To remain in the graduate program, a TWU graduate student must maintain a GPA of 3.0, can have no grade below a C, nor have a grade below a B in a core course)

2. one letter of recommendation from a science instructor

5. Applications completed by prospective MBRS students will be circulated among research faculty for their perusal. In each case, an attempt will be made to match student's interest with the participating MBRS faculty mentors.

CRITERIA FOR THE CONTINUATION OF MBRS STUDENT PARTICIPANTS

The following guidelines for continuation of Multi-Ethnic Biomedical Research Support Program student participants will be adhered to. MBRS student performance will be reviewed at the conclusion of each semester. Following interviews by faculty mentors, recommendations for continuance will be made on an individual student basis.

UNDERGRADUATE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUATION:

1. Students must maintain a GPA as required for program admission.

2. Students must demonstrate a commitment to research activities by averaging 15 hrs/week in research activities. Since a high priority of the MBRS Program is for undergraduate students to receive a solid foundation in academics, faculty mentors will make every effort to offer research opportunities that are sufficiently flexible that they will not interfere with the student's course requirements.

3. Students must demonstrate evidence of research productivity appropriate for their level of training. By the second year, each undergraduate participant should present research findings at least at the TWU Student Research Symposium and preferably at an appropriate national meeting.

4. Students must actively participate in the MBRS seminar series and Science Seminar.

5. Students will be strongly encouraged to obtain experience applying for fellowships or scholarships funded outside the University, including off-campus summer research opportunities.

GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUATION:

1. Students must remain in good standing with the University, but must also obtain at least a GPA of 3.0 in those core courses that are required for their graduate degree and in those courses that are relevant to their research area.

2. Students must demonstrate a commitment to research activities by devoting an average of at least 20 hrs/week to research activities.

3. Students must demonstrate evidence of research productivity appropriate for their level of training. By the second year in the program, graduate students must be actively involved in research activities as demonstrated by presentation of research findings at scientific meetings. Publication of research findings is expected.

4. Students must actively participate in the MBRS seminar series and Science Seminar.

5. Students must pursue, in a timely manner, the core courses and research requirements for the graduate degree.

6. By the end of their second year in the program, graduate students must obtain experience in the process of applying for external funds (e.g. Pre-doctoral fellowships). The acquisition of such funds is not required for continuation in the program, but experience in applying for such funding is viewed as an essential part of the student's training in grantsmanship and is required for continuation in the MBRS program.