Bridge to the Baccalaureate Program

The University of Miami (UM) and Miami Dade College (MDC) have collaborated on the Bridge to the Baccalaureate Program since 1994.  The long-term goal of the program is to encourage students from underrepresented groups to pursue PhDs in the biomedical sciences.  It is designed to facilitate their transition into the biomedical sciences at UM.

The Bridge Program is funded and supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and the National Institute of General Medical Science (NIGMS).  The key components of the Bridge Program are:                                           

• Special courses
• Research experiences
• Faculty mentoring
• Travel to national science meetings

Through the Bridge Program you will receive college credit for courses taken at UM while at MDC, be paid for the time you spend conducting  research in a UM lab, participate in seminars and present at a national science meeting.  Students that successfully complete the Bridge Program and decide to transfer to UM have the opportunity to become an HHMI scholar and/or an Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) scholar.  As an HHMI and./or IMSD scholar, students will receive paid research experiences.

Specific Activities for Bridge Students

Research Experiences

The best way to do science is learning it.  All Bridge students are required to do research with a UM faculty mentor beginning the summer after their first year at MDC.  At the end of the summer, students submit a research paper and present their research at a symposium held at UM.  Bridge students continue conducting research during the fall and spring semesters of their second year.  At the end of the spring semester, students again submit a research paper and present their research at a symposium held at UM.

Special Courses and Workshops

High school/MDC Transition Course - This three-credit chemistry course is team-taught by a UM and a MDC faculty member.  Bridge students take this course on the UM campus in the summer before they enroll at MDC.  Not only does the course give Bridge students a competitive edge, but it also enables them to experience campus life at UM.
Biotechnology and Research Ethics Courses - In the summer between the first and second year at MDC, all Bridge students must take a biotechnology course and research ethics course on the MDC North Campus.  These courses provide state-of-the-art equipment for lab experiments and create bonding among the Bridge students.
Emerging Scholars General Chemistry Workshop - First year students attend a two and a half-hour workshop in chemistry once a week on the UM Campus (fall and spring semester).  The workshop is led by the UM chemistry professor and an advanced UM undergraduate. Students work cooperatively in small groups to solve problems that are more demanding than those encountered during typical class assignments.
Biology Laboratory Course - Bridge students take Biology 162 at UM in the spring semester of the first year and Biology 152 in the fall semester of the second year. These are research-based laboratory courses where students conduct group research projects.  Students receive course credit at MDC.
Genetics Course - Students that decide to transfer to UM after successfully completing the Bridge Program take this three-credit course at UM the summer after graduating from MDC. 
Emerging Scholars Genetics Workshop - Students meet twice a week for 90 minutes in conjunction with the genetics course.  The workshop is led by a UM biology professor and an undergraduate.

• Students must maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA while in the program.
• Students must attend three Family Science Sundays in the first year.  Students and their families participate in research projects led by a UM faculty member.
• Attend a national science meeting to present research project

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents.  In addition, students must be members of an underrepresented group in the sciences. 

HOW TO APPLY

Students must complete the application and submit it along with high school transcripts and two letters of recommendations.

Fill out the application form

For further information contact:

Kendall Campus                    Jennifer Bravo (305) 237-2861; jbravo@mdc.edu                
North Campus                        Sandra Martinez (305) 237-1107; smartin3@mdc.edu  
Wolfson Campus                    Virginia Fuillerat, (305) 237-7353; vfuillerat@mdc.edu   
InterAmerican Campus          Monica Padron, (305) 237-6910; mpadron1@mdc.edu
University of Miami                  Michael Gaines (305) 284-5058; m.gaines@miami.edu

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