Immersion
Immersion is…an opportunity for undergraduate students to pursue their passions and interests through experiential learning and research. The undergraduate Biochemistry and Chemical Biology program was designed as an immersive STEM major.
Immersion Pathways
The BCB major has Immersion built into the major, so no additional Immersion project is required outside of the major. Students are welcome to choose a non-research immersive experience. Several pathways are outlined below. In each case, the product of the experience takes the form of a written report in the style of a scientific journal, an oral presentation, or poster presentation.
Built-In Option
This pathway consists of the student conducting research in a laboratory of their choosing for one semester in BCB 3201, then completing their immersive experience with the required BCB 4965 and optional BCB 4966 advanced integrated laboratory courses or another optional BCB elective that supports the Immersion project. Students would identify an Immersion project that would be initiated in some fashion in BCB 3201 and continued in 4965 and 4966 under the direction of BCB 4965/BCB 4966 instructor.
A second option for students in the chemical biology track may use their required BCB 4965 and take the optional BCB 4966 along with another BCB elective that supports the Immersion project. Students would identify an Immersion project within BCB 4965 under the direction of BCB 4965/BCB 4966 instructor.
Your Immersion adviser will be your BCB major adviser which then switches to your BCB 4965 instructor.
Independent Research
This is similar to the built-in option but allows the student to conduct research in a laboratory of their choosing for two semesters within BCB 3201. The second semester of research counts as a general elective in the BCB major.
Your Immersion adviser is your BCB major adviser which then switches to your lab research mentor.
Honors Research
In this pathway, students complete three semesters of research for credit in a laboratory of their choosing, first in BCB 3201 and then in BCB 4999: Honors Research if they fulfill the Honors requirements. The Honors Research courses are in addition to BCB major requirements. A written thesis is presented to and defended in front of an Honors Committee.
Your Immersion adviser is your BCB major adviser which then switches to your lab research mentor.
Summer Research
This pathway is for students who are conducting a full-time Summer Research Experience on or off campus. On-campus opportunities may arise from VSSA, VUSRP, SYBBURE, or through independent funding for on-campus laboratories. There are numerous off-campus programs that are supported by NSF, NIH, private foundations, and industry. These may be paid or unpaid experiences but are not credit bearing. The experience must total 300-500 hours to fulfill Immersion requirements. If you choose this option, you must have this cleared with the Office of Immersion before you begin the experience.
Your Immersion adviser is the BCB Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Civic Engagement as Immersion
This optional pathway is designed for students interested in science communication and/or teaching science in primary or secondary schools. Students will be required to develop a plan for course work that will represent a coherent body of knowledge equivalent to at least 9 credit hours.
The plan will include one BCB core course, one related science course that increases depth of knowledge, and one course in science communication or education. The student will then produce a product involving either development of public policy documents for legislators or the general public, or development of teaching or laboratory materials suitable for K-12 educators. This process would be overseen by the Immersion coordinator.
