Claflin University - Students Oriented in Active Biomedical Research Training (CU-S.O.A.R.)

Claflin University, Orangeburg SC

Investigators

Abstract

CU S.O.A.R. Project Summary/Abstract The broad, long-term objectives of this supplement are to develop and implement training modules to enhance undergraduate biomedical research training at Claflin University and provide support to the U- RISE trainees. The rationale of the training modules is based on the fact that the undergraduate biology majors in the junior seminar courses lack the research training needed to effectively develop a research project for their senior proposal or senior thesis. The first aim of the supplement is to provide more effective research training for the undergraduate biology majors at the sophomore level. The second aim of the supplement is to provide complementary proposal or thesis development activities for the undergraduate biology majors at the junior level. Research training activities will be incorporated into the general biology labs, human anatomy and physiology labs, biotechnical methods lab course, and the junior seminar courses. The research training modules will consist of hands-on training modules and on-line training modules. All of the research training modules will be new activities and will enhance as well as support the ongoing changes to the curriculum for both junior seminar courses. The relevance of the proposed activities is to support the purpose of the Undergraduate-Research Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) at Claflin University (5T34GM136495). The duration of the supplement will consist of the fall semester and spring semester of the academic year. The projected number of participant trainees is 400 undergraduate students that will consist mainly of biology majors and a few chemistry majors as well as biochemistry majors. The research modules will be incorporated into the existing biomedical training program as a support system for the U-RISE research mentees for their research thesis projects, which will enhance their ability to develop a research project for their senior thesis effectively .