The Biology Scholars Program (BSP), which began at UT in fall 2007, is an intensive enrichment program for undergraduate biology majors. A two-year program, BSP is designed for students interested in careers in the health professions (i.e. medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or optometry).
Mission: BSP increases sense of belonging for first- and second-year students through seminars, mentoring, volunteering and socials. It supports diverse students from groups traditionally under-represented in science and the health professions, so that they feel integrated into the UT and CNS communities, thereby increasing their retention in science and persistence towards health professions.
Together, BSP students take the same biology and chemistry classes during their first two years of college. Additionally, they attend a weekly seminar led by BSP faculty and staff. First-semester students also take a seminar that focuses on research methods and critical thinking; most students use this as preparation to join a research stream in the Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) in their second semester.
During the first year, BSP students are divided into small mentoring groups that are led by sophomore mentors. Mentors provide guidance on a number of topics, such as academic advice and resources, effective studying, time management, and adjusting to college life, along with providing individual support and their own personal experiences. Individual mentoring groups meet weekly. All BSP students are invited to attend monthly socials and other activities as arranged by the mentors and BSP coordinator. These events are funded by the College of Natural Sciences. Additionally, BSP students are able to participate in volunteer events each semester. The numerous opportunities to connect with one's mentor, peers and BSP coordinator (who serves as students' academic advisor) allow BSP students to develop a sense of community very quickly. Feeling connected to a community helps students successfully adjust to college life.
Highly motivated and qualified BSP students have the opportunity of becoming employed as peer mentors, program ambassadors, and tutors after their first year in the program.
Why join BSP?
- Small-community feel
- Access to peer mentoring during first year
- Monthly socials and at least two volunteer opportunities each semester
- Closer contact with professors and staff compared to students who are not in the program
- Guaranteed seats in required science classes
- Reserved seat in an FRI stream in second semester (if interested)
Requirements to apply to BSP:
- Be an incoming biology major who is interested in a health profession;
- Have an interest in being part of a smaller community;
- Display the willingness to challenge yourself for academic excellence.