Biological Sciences Talent Advancement Program
(BIOTAP)
The BIOTAP program helps incoming freshmen make the most of their first year in college. BIOTAP provides incoming students who plan to major in the life sciences with an opportunity to participate in a very special living and learning environment.
The program is based on the premise that motivated, academically strong students learn best in close collaboration with like-minded peers. In order to establish this kind of collaboration, all BIOTAP students live together on the same dormitory floors. In addition, special sections of the introductory biology, chemistry and writing courses are set aside for BIOTAP students only. Program participants thus live and work alongside other students who share similar interests, and with whom studying, academic exploration and social life can be shared. A kind of "college within a college" is created, and students experience the benefits of small-group learning without sacrificing the benefits of a major research institution.
An extraordinary amount of scholarly activity takes place at the University, which creates many opportunities for undergraduate participation. The sheer size and diversity of the University, however, make it difficult for new students to identify and connect with these opportunities. BIOTAP has had great success in exposing its students to the full range of available educational resources, and in helping students make connections that lead to positions in research labs.
The primary vehicle for this broadening of academic horizons is the BIOTAP seminar. One evening each week, BIOTAP hosts a faculty member or outside scientist who delivers a talk on his or her field of interest, current research and career choices. Questions and discussion follow. The seminar content is invariably fascinating and informative and, even more importantly, BIOTAP students get a broad picture of academic life on campus and have the opportunity to meet informally with faculty members. The seminar creates possibilities for BIOTAP students that are simply not available to other first-year students.
Admission to BIOTAP is by invitation. Invitations are sent to qualified applicants to UMass who have expressed interest in one of the life science majors (Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, PreMed). For more information, please contact Bruce Byers (bbyers@bio.umass.edu, 413-545-1236).
Find out more about other Residential Academic Programs.
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