The Bridge Program was developed and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS).

The University of Miami and Miami-Dade College have collaborated on a Bridge Program since 1994. The long term goal of the NIH/HHMI Bridge Program is to encourage students from underrepresented minorities to enter research careers in the biomedical sciences. The immediate goal of our program is to encourage our students to complete an AA program and transfer into a baccalaureate degree program in the sciences at a four-year college or university, preferably the University of Miami.

Through a grant to the University of Miami, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) funds many aspects of our Bridge to the Future, including student scholarships to the University of Miami, student research experiences and faculty updating/training. The three key components of the Bridges program are: Student Development & Enrichment, Faculty Updating & Training, and Curriculum Development.

Student Development

Who's eligible?

You must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency status. In addition, you must be a member of an underrepresented minority or be economically disadvantaged. NIH defines underrepresented minorities as Hispanic, Black, and Native American. You should be entering your Freshman year of college or have completed one semester of college with Chemistry and Math credits.

Responsibilities of a Bridge Student

Students participating in the Bridge Program at MDC are expected to fulfill the following requirements: 

1. Students must attend the MDC Bridge course at UM the summer before enrolling at MDC.

2. Students must attend the Emerging Scholars' Workshop from 2:30-5:00 pm every Monday at UM (Coral Gables campus) during their first year.

3. During the spring and summer following their first year, all students must take two courses, Chemical Instrumentation (CHM ), and Introduction to Biotechnology (BSC2024C) at MDC. 

4. During their second year, students will meet once a month on Mondays, from 4:00-5:00 pm, at UM (Coral Gables campus) for research seminars.

5. Students will take a Genetics course (BIL250) at UM (Coral Gables campus) during the summer of their second year. This course is a University of Miami credit course. 

6. Students are required to do a minimum of two semesters of research in a UM lab before graduating from MDC. 

7. Each student is required to write a scientific paper based on their research experience. The results will be presented at a poster session at the end of their second year. 

8. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA while in the program.

Through the Bridge Program, you will: 

have the opportunity to meet and interact with both MDC and UM faculty throughout your two years at MDC.

• receive college credit for courses taken at UM while at MDC.

• get research experience in a UM lab.

• be paid for the time that you spend doing research in a UM lab.

• participate in seminars and other special presentations.

• have the opportunity to compete for H.H.M.I. transfer scholarships to UM if you maintain a 3.5 or better GPA at MDC.

How do I apply? 

You must complete an application, submit high school transcripts and include 2 letters of recommendations from former teachers and/or counselors. For application forms and/or further information, contact:

• Dr. Robert Pope, MDC, Kendall Campus at 237-2429

• Mr. Carter Burrus, MDC, North Campus at 237-1107

• Dr. Guillermina Damas, MDC, Wolfson Campus at 237-3927

• Ms. Miriam DelCampo, MDC, Kendall Campus at 237-0956

• Dr. Michael Gaines, University of Miami at 284-3973

Faculty Updating & Training

Seminars

The grant supports seminars of interest to the science faculty of both institutions. On November 12-13 Dr. Chuck Granger, University of Missouri, St. Louis, met with faculty and presented a seminar titled 'The Art of Teaching Biology to Non-Science Majors'. These seminars are open to all interested faculty, staff, and students. For information on future speakers check this page or contact Dr. Robert Pope.

Workshops

Each year a joint UM/MDC workshop is held to provide training in an area of critical concern to faculty. In the summer of 1998 faculty attended a one-week workshop to assist instructors in the development of class web pages for student use. The course instructor was Dr. Tom Herbert, University of Miami, Department of Biology.

Research Leaves

Each year one member of the science faculty at Miami-Dade College is selected for a one-semester research leave at the University of Miami. Faculty chosen for this leave are expected to share the knowledge gained during this experience with their colleagues and their students. To apply for the leave, interested faculty should write a brief description of his/her proposed research, and how the research experience relates to his/her professional goals at MDC. This should be submitted to Dr. Pope via your department chairperson. Applications for the1998-99 academic year are currently being accepted. 

Previous faculty on research leaves have included: 

• 1994 Mr. Jack Bateman, Recombinant D.N.A. techniques 

• 1995 Dr. Warren Dicker, Studies of calcium in Neurospora using fluorescence microscopy 

• 1996 Mr. Will Gilbert, Sound recording of South Florida birds 

• 1996 Ms. Miriam DelCampo, Multimedia in the classroom 

• 1997 Mr. Ron Mossman

Curriculum Development

1. The program has supported the joint (UM/MDC) development of new courses (i.e., PCB 2340, Fundamentals of Ecology). 

2. The use of innovative strategies in the courses taken by science majors is an ongoing goal of our NIH/HHMI Bridges Program.