The program does not preclude students from taking the necessary courses to get into Medical or Dental School. The main differences between the BS in Biology and the BA in Biology are fewer required Chemistry and Physics courses in the BA, fewer biology electives, and the required minor, service learning and capstone courses.

Statements from Program Proposal Reviewers

I think the proposed BA in Biology will help students that fear the deep chemistry associated with BS in Biology, but are still interested in a science field. The current proposal will help open up several areas in Pharmaceutical Research (at Research Sites or Companies) and Contract Research Organizations. Roles from pre-clinical to clinical trials including Research Lab staff, Clinical Writers, Global Trial positions could be filled by this role.

“… there are many careers that require a science background but don’t necessarily require all of the requirements in a Bachelor of Science program.

… a more realistic approach to careers in STEM.

… the BA actually hits a lot of the things for med school (community service, research, etc.)…med schools looking for things out of STEM now (arts, etc.).

2023 Program Dates

• September 1, 2022 – November 9, 2022: Application Period
• January – May 9: Online pre-departure introduction (in the U.S.) 
• May 13: Students depart for Japan 
• May 16 – May 19:Introduction to laboratory techniques in Nagoya
• May 22 – July 14: Eight week program on site
  • The National Institute of Genetics (Mishima, Japan) 
  • The Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules at Nagoya University (Nagoya, Japan) 
  • The National Institute of Basic Biology (Okazaki, Japan) 
• July 15: return to US 

Funded by the National Science Foundation (), this summer program (including nine weeks in Japan) will provide students with invaluable research and intercultural experiences while working with an international team of biologists on CRISPR-Cas9 techniques generating transgenic fish to study genetic elements regulating  behavior. Students will receive a $5000 stipend along with compensation for travel and accommodation expenses.

The program is open to Â鶹´«Ã½ÔÚÏß and non-Â鶹´«Ã½ÔÚÏß students who are advanced undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in state-of-the-art gene editing molecular biology techniques. See Eligibility section for details. The program consists of nine weeks of full-time research in a Japanese laboratory, mentored by faculty member from the Japanese institutions.

This fund is specifically limited to high-quality sophomores, juniors seniors or graduate students within the Department of Biology. Projects can be multidisciplinary, but the primary recipient of funds must be a Department of Biology major. All applicants must have an overall GPA equal to or greater than 3.30. No faculty member can have more than one student funded through this program per year. The proposal should include an initial budget with a best–guess estimate of research cost needs.

This grant-funded research program allows students to engage in scientific collaborations at top biology institutes in Japan.

Funded by the National Science Foundation (), this 10-week summer program will provide students with invaluable research and intercultural experiences while working with an international team of biologists on CRISPR-Cas9 techniques generating transgenic fish to study genetic elements regulating behavior. The program consists of full-time research in a Japanese laboratory, mentored by a faculty member from the Japanese institution. The competitive fellowship is open to Â鶹´«Ã½ÔÚÏß and non-Â鶹´«Ã½ÔÚÏß advanced undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in state-of-the-art gene editing molecular biology techniques.

After a one-week online orientation, the six students will spend one week in Nagoya for on-site orientation and then eight weeks at one of the following sites:

• The National Institute of Genetics (Mishima, Japan)
• The Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules at Nagoya University (Nagoya, Japan)
• The National Institute of Basic Biology (Okazaki, Japan)

Students at all three sites will work on related projects, with the intent of publishing a joint study.

Fellowship Details

This is a National Science Foundation funded program. Each participant will receive a $5000 stipend for the 10-week program. Other expenses associated with participation are covered by the NSF.

What is covered (in ADDITION to the $5,000 stipend)

• Roundtrip airfare between a U.S. airport and Nagoya, Japan
• Ground transportation between Nagoya airport and site
• Ground transportation between your research site and Nagoya, as necessary
• Housing during the program in Japan (May 21–July 23, 2021)
• Laboratory supplies

What is NOT covered

• Passport fees
• Ground transportation to/from US airport
• Meals
• Ground transportation not related to program
• Other personal expenses
• Health insurance

To Apply

Applicants must submit all required application materials by January 15, 2021 11:59pm EST.

Applications will be accepted from October 26, 2020 to January 15, 2021 and should be submitted online through

The online application requirements include an unofficial transcript and two letters of recommendation from faculty members. The program will also run in Summer 2022 and Summer 2023. Application periods for those years will be announced at a later date.

Details

• Application deadline: January 15, 2021 11:59pm EST
• Interview of finalists: Early February
• Final selection of participants and alternates: Late February

Program Dates

• May 17-May 20: Online pre-departure introduction (in the U.S.)
• May 21: Students depart for Japan
• May 24-27: Introduction to laboratory techniques at Nagoya University
• May 31-July 22: Eight week program
• July 23: Return to US

Eligibility

• Applicants must be enrolled in good standing in a degree program at a U.S. Institution of higher education with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and minimum GPA of 3.0 in science courses.
• Graduate students (Masters or PhD) and upper-level undergraduate students in sciences are eligible to apply: Bachelor’s level applicants must have completed their sophomore year by the start of the program and students planning to graduate in Spring 2021 must be accepted to a graduate school program in science for Fall 2021 by time of program.
• Applicants are expected to have taken a molecular and cellular biology course or equivalent by time of application and have basic knowledge of molecular laboratory techniques.
• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident (as per NSF requirements) and must have a passport valid through February 2022 (six months past program end) at time of selection.
• Students from groups that are typically underrepresented in STEM are encouraged to apply.

**Acceptance into the program is competitive. A total of 6 participants will be selected, with alternates. The members of the “NSF IRES-US Japan Collaboration” program committee are responsible for all final decisions.

Faculty Leaders

Dr. Carlos A. Molina is a professor of molecular biology at Â鶹´«Ã½ÔÚÏß. His laboratory works in post-translational regulation of transcription factors and the reproductive system of vertebrates using fish and mice as model organisms.

Dr. Mika Munakata is a professor in the Department of Mathematics at Â鶹´«Ã½ÔÚÏß. She does research in STEM education, undergraduate education, and professional development. She will be co-directing and leading the educational, language and cultural components of the program.

Undergraduate students interested in this subject can contribute to the project, contact Dr. Feehan to learn how!