Dr. David Gray (top-left) with the 2023 Biomedical Sciences Enrichment Program (BISEP) Cohort
OVERVIEW
The Biomedical Sciences Enrichment Program (BISEP) is an intensive, six-week summer program that prepares rising sophomores for upper division coursework and undergraduate research in the biomedical sciences. The goal of this program is to increase the number of students pursuing research-based careers. The 2024 program will be held on-campus/in-person and will run during Summer Session C (August 5 – September 13, 2024). The program includes a molecular biology lecture and lab, a bioinformatics project, a journal club which instructs students on reading scientific literature, and career development workshops. Seminar and workshop topics include: pursuing a PhD, pursuing an MD-PhD, identifying academic and non-academic career paths in the biomedical sciences, and applying to research programs. Students who complete BISEP will be prepared to engage in faculty-mentored biomedical research in the fall.
ELIGIBILITY
- PEERS students entering their sophomore year in 2024-2025
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Life Science majors, including Biochemistry and Computational and Systems Biology
- Interested in biomedical research
- Interested in pursuing a graduate degree (e.g. Masters, PhD, MD-PhD, etc.)
- No prior research experience preferred
PROGRAM DATES
BISEP 2024 will be held during Summer Session C: August 5 – September 13, 2024. Meeting days are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. No meetings will be held on university holidays.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- Attend all meetings throughout the full six-week program, including:
- Molecular Biology Lectures
- Biotechnology Labs
- Journal Club Meetings
- Academic & Professional Development Workshops
- Complete the bioinformatics project and present your work at the culminating Poster Session
- Participate in the Lab Networking Event at the end of the program
- Complete Laboratory Safety Fundamentals (LSF) certification by the start of the program
- Complete all writing assignments including composing a Curriculum Vitae (CV), cover letter, abstract, and personal statement
- Complete one pre-program survey, one exit survey, and three post-program surveys throughout the 2024-2025 academic year
SCHOLARSHIP/FUNDING
BISEP does not provide funding to program participants. There is also no application fee or fee to participate in the program.
APPLICATION
- The application will be open March 4, 2024 through May 6, 2024 at 11:59PM
- The application can be accessed as a Survey on MyUCLA under the “Campus Life” tab during the application period. See the Application page for more information.