The Biology department has sought out several opportunities to enhance enrolled students success. Some of these opportunities include grants from the United States Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and so much more. The opportunities are unique and promote Vincent Tinto's ideology that student involvement in college is imperative to success. The department hopes that all students irrespective of their major take time to participate in one of these amazing opportunities.

Visit the Masteringbiology website

Masteringbiology is designed to provide students with a variety of assessment to help you understand key topics and concepts.

Visit the MasteringA&P website

MasteringA&P is an online database of questions and resources to enable you succeed in your anatomy and physiology course. The animations provide carefully developed, step-by-step explanations with dramatic 3D representations of structures that show action and movement of processes, bringing difficult A&P concepts to life.

Work experience opportunities (INTERNSHIPS or Co-op)

The purpose of internship or Co-op experience courses is to give students an opportunity to gain insight and practical experience in the biosciences. A great benefit to these courses is that students who successfully complete an internship or co-op will be awarded college credits based on the course dictionary. Students are advised to review MAP (My Academic Plan)to verify if their program requires them to complete one.

Two internship courses associated with a degree in the biological sciences are the Senior Specialty Internship (BSC4940) and Bioscience Internship (BSC2943L). The descriptions for these courses are as follows:

• BSC4940 Senior Specialty Internship (3 credits). The Senior Specialty Internship (BSC4940) is a required course for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biological Sciences (BS) Program. The course will provide students with hands-on experience in the biological science workplace by conducting an internship. The experience readies the individual for their first position in-field. Students must be in the last semester of their study.
   
• BSC2943L Bioscience Internship (3 credits). Students in the Associate of Science (AS) in Biotechnology and/or the Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) Programs need to complete a Bioscience Internship (BSC2943L). This course is a capstone for students majoring in a bioscience field or related programs. Students will learn to apply acquired knowledge and skills to gain experience in the bioscience workplace  In order to enroll in the Bioscience Internship course (BSC-2943L), students must have completed at least 8 credits within their designated track and do the following:

Other courses which provide students an opportunity to earn credit while completing a bioscience related co-op work experience include:

• BSC1949 Co-op Work Experience 1 (3 credits). This is a course designed to provide training in a student's field of study through work experience. Students are graded on the basis of documentation of learning acquired as reported by student and employer. Prerequisite: Co-op Department approval. Students will be assigned specific course prefixes related to their academic major prior to registration. All students must contact the School of Science (305-237-1101) to obtain registration approval.

• BSC2949 Co-op Work Experience 2: (3 credits). This is a course designed to continue training in a student's field of study through work experience. Students are graded on the basis of documentation of learning acquired as reported by student and employer. Prerequisite: Co-op Department approval and completion of 1949 Co-op Work Experience. Students will be assigned specific course prefixes related to their academic major prior to registration. All students must contact the School of Science (305-237-1101) to obtain registration approval.

To ensure that students have a good experience while enrolling in this class, they are advised to do the following:

• Plan well ahead in order to make sure that there is a place to complete the internship.
• Consult with assigned academic advisor
• Contact Dr. Alfredo Leon for BSC2943L Bioscience Internship at aleon6@mdc.edu or 305 237 1016.
• Contact Dr. Selwyn Williams for BSC4940 Senior Specialty Internship at swillia9@mdc.edu or 350 237 1575.
• Use resources available from the college to identify placement locations. A resource available to all students is the Advisement and Career Services http://www.mdc.edu/main/advisement/careers/apply_jobs.aspx
• Fill out the appropriate coursework:
• Student completing the BSC 4940 must complete the "Internship Learning Agreement" [Link to Doc] and the "Internship Agreement." [see faculty member for document]  This form must be signed by you, the student, the supervising employer, and the designated MDC Faculty Member. Please read these documents very carefully as they describe the competencies and requirements expected of you as well as the assignments that accompany the internship.
• Students completing BSC2943L must complete the "Co-op Work Study Guidelines Agreement" [see faculty member for document] must be signed by you, the student, your MDC Professor, as well as the Supervising Employer of the organization where you will be interning.
• Have fun at your place of employment.
  
  
  Student Action Items/Timeline for Internship

Employers wishing to share job opportunities to our students should contact Dr. Selwyn Williams through email swillia9@mdc.edu or 350 237 1575.  

Job opportunities can also be posted at https://mdc.optimalresume.com/employers/index.php.We would also love to hear from our employers. To provide feedback on our Bioscience Interns, please click on the following link to take the Employer Survey .

• 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, and 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. http://www.mdc.edu/honorsCollege/academics/bridge-baccalaureate.aspx
For further information contact:

Kendall Campus                    Karletty Medina(305) 237-2184 ; <kmedina@mdc.edu
North Campus                       Shane Johnson (305) 237-1107; sjohnso6@mdc.edu
Wolfson Campus                   Virginia Fuillerat, (305) 237-7353; vfuillerat@mdc.edu   
Padrón Campus          Magda Castineyra (305) 237-6713;  mcastin1@mdc.edu
University of Miami                Michael Gaines (305) 284-5058; m.gaines@miami.edu

• The Biology Club

The Biology Club, is an outlet for students with an interest in the Life Sciences and Allied Health Sciences. It provides them with the opportunity to meet people with the similar interests, promote the importance of Biology in today's society and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, while enhancing their educational experience at Miami Dade College. It also serves as an umbrella club for students interested in any health related profession. The Biology Club sponsors community work, fund raising activities, trips, fellowship events and brings speakers among other activities. The biology club is currently transitioning into a National Biological Honor Society BBB (Tribeta) chapter.

Additionally, it provides students with opportunities to involve themselves in community service activities such as Clean up at Monument Beach (ECOMB), Car wash for fund raising, Cookie sales for fundraising, Florida Breast Initiative-Information providers, Susan G Komen Race for the Cure/Breast Cancer Walk, Light the Night walk, Yvonne Learning Center Initiative, Commit to Complete Miami River Clean up, as well as various other social activities.

The faculty sponsor advises students and helps them develop leadership skills. Since the responsibility of running a club ultimately belongs to its members the goal is to guide and help the students take the initiative and become independent and self-directed. The Club ultimately hopes to build a sense of belonging for the Biology students while promoting friendship among the Life science students.

To participate, contact Professor Victoria Zusman at vzusman@mdc.edu.

• Pre-Med and Pre-Pharmacy Student Organization

The Purpose of this student association is to provide opportunities for academic and professional advancement and civic involvement for students interested in pursuing careers in the health allied professions, especially in the field of medicine and pharmacy. Membership is intended for those who are interested in the health sciences, but especially for students pursuing careers in medicine and pharmacy.  Although our club/association is tailored to the aforementioned groups, anyone is welcome to join.

Membership is open to all interested persons officially connected with Miami Dade College as enrolled undergraduate students.  The Pre-Medical and Pre-Pharmacy Student Association openly admits undergraduate students to its membership and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin/status, or sexual orientation.

To participate, contact Professor Jorge Obeso at jobeso@mdc.edu

• Pre- PA and Pre-nursing Club

In this organization, we provide helpful and insightful information regarding various health careers and health-related graduate programs, we help each other with the process of applying and answering any questions students may have. The pre PA/Nursing Club is a great way to learn more about your field of interest, connect with similar goal-oriented students, participate in community service projects, and expand your social and academic network.

The mission of the Pre-Physician Assistant - Nursing Club is to familiarize students interested in becoming Physician Assistants and Nurses with the admissions process for different schools as well as the duties associated with the profession. Students will become familiar with the life of a Physician Assistant or a Nursing professional through seminars, guest speakers, and community service opportunities. We are an informative and very interactive club with meetings based around giving information about the profession, the GRE, CASPA (online application process to all PA schools), writing personal statements, conducting reviews for academic purposes and more. Faculty, staff, and students from MDC Medical Campus, and other Institutions are permanently supporting this organization. For more information contact, Dr. Fredy Ruiz MD MMS PA-C RN at fruiz@mdc.edu Science Complex Building office A354 MDC North Campus.

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The Science Quest Lectures, attempts to expand the horizons of our students by exposing them to speakers on different topics. The purpose of these lectures is to make accessible some of the remarkable recent developments in science to the non-specialized public, and to share with laymen some of the intellectual and cultural excitement associated with scientific developments that may affect in some way the lives of all of us and are a significant part of our cultural heritage.