Summer One
Laboratory Research: Beckman scholars will devote 40 hours/week for ten weeks during the summer semester. Thirty five hours will be based on laboratory research. Beckman Scholars will have individual weekly meetings with their mentors and will participate in regular lab meetings and journal clubs. Beckman Scholars will attend colloquia appropriate to their area of research interest.
Beckman scholars may enroll in a summer GRE preparation class offered by the McNair Scholars Program. Scholars will also have ongoing access to workshops provided by the Graduate School on ‘Scientific Writing’ & ‘Preparing for Graduate School.’
Beckman scholars working with neurobiology faculty will participate in weekly meetings of the Summer Program in Neurobiology (SPIN) program directed by Drs. Linda & Jacques Wadiche. During these meetings SPIN mentors discuss their research and career path. Weekly luncheon discussion meetings focus on various topics in neuroscience and graduate programs.
Beckman scholars will have an individual meeting with the Director of Post Baccalaureate Fellowships regarding national awards and scholarships and where appropriate, with the Director of UAB’s MSTP program (MD/PhD).
Beckman scholars will attend, along with a Beckman Mentor, the Beckman Scholars Annual Research Symposium at the Beckman Center of the National Academies in Irvine, California.
Fall Semester
Laboratory Research: Beckman Scholars must work 10 hours per week in the laboratory on their Beckman research project during the fall semester and will register for the equivalent number of credit hours using the appropriate departmental research course options. Beckman Scholars will continue to have individual weekly meetings with their mentors and will participate in regular lab meetings and journal clubs. Beckman Scholars will attend colloquia appropriate to their area of research interest.
Beckman Scholars will enroll in a 1 credit hour interdisciplinary seminar, STH 395 Honors Proposal Seminar, led by S&THP Director Dr. Tucker and Assoc. Directors, Dr. March (Chemistry) and Dr. Eberhardt (BME). This seminar provides excellent exposure to analyzing primary literature and developing expertise in research design. The product of this seminar is a written NSF or NIH style research proposal, which is presented in oral and written form.
Spring Semester
Laboratory Research: Beckman Scholars must work 10 hours per week in the laboratory on their Beckman research project during the fall semester and will register for the equivalent number of credit hours using the appropriate departmental research course options. Beckman Scholars will continue to have individual weekly meetings with their mentors and will participate in regular lab meetings and journal clubs. Beckman Scholars will attend colloquia appropriate to their area of research interest.
Scholars will enroll in STH 400 Honors Thesis Seminar, an interdisciplinary seminar, which focuses on writing and presenting the thesis research.
UAB Beckman Scholars will present their research at the annual UAB Spring EXPO. Scholars will be invited to present research at the annual University of Alabama System Honors Research Conference and at regional and national conferences for undergraduates. Scholars will have full and free access to a poster printer and supplies.
UAB Beckman Scholars will speak at the Beckman Scholars Research Symposium. An annual Beckman Scholars Symposium will be held in May at which Beckman Scholars will present their research from the previous year. A keynote speaker will anchor the event to be held in the Spencer Honors House.
UAB Beckman Scholars will be hosted by the UAB President. Senior Beckman Scholars will be a guest at the annual luncheon at the President’s residence for recipients of national honors and will also be individually recognized at the UAB Honors Convocation in May.
Summer Two
Laboratory Research: Beckman scholars will devote 40 hours/week for ten weeks during the summer semester. Thirty five hours will be based on laboratory research. Beckman Scholars will have individual weekly meetings with their mentors and will participate in regular lab meetings and journal clubs. Beckman Scholars will attend colloquia appropriate to their area of research interest.
Beckman scholars will be expected to prepare a manuscript for submission to a professional journal.
UAB Beckman Scholars will present their research at the annual UAB Summer EXPO.
UAB Beckman Scholars will give a presentation at the Beckman Scholars Annual Research Symposium at the Beckman Center of the National Academies in Irvine, California in August.
UAB Beckman Scholars will receive special invitations to meet with distinguished visiting scholars who deliver various endowed lectureships at UAB.
To enhance their scientific communication skills, UAB Beckman Scholars are encouraged to take a specific section of CM101 Public Speaking, which the S&THP has arranged to focus on scientific communication.
Beckman Scholars will enroll in a one credit-hour seminar series in their home department. Options include: BY 499 Biology Seminar Series, CH 491 Chemistry Seminar, BME 401 Undergraduate BME Seminar, and NBL/PY 401 Colloquium in Basic, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience. They will also be strongly encouraged to attend their departmental colloquia.