BUILD Scholars Program

BUILD Scholars Research Training Program

If you have three to four semesters left in order to complete your degree program and will be applying to enter PhD programs in health research careers in the Fall of your final year, you can apply to the two-year-long BUILD Scholars research training program that begins in June. BUILD Scholars receive hands-on research training with a BUILD Faculty Mentor and have the following training requirements.

Training Activities and Components

⇒ Summer Research

BUILD Scholars participate in intensive summer research training. In the summer before their first year in the program, they work with their BUILD Faculty Mentors full time (up to 34 hours/week), in addition to attending an 8-week Summer Learning Community (Summer Undergraduate Research Gateway to Excellence) from June to July. In the subsequent summer, they are expected to apply to participate in a summer research internship at a research-intensive university that offers doctoral degrees (i.e., R1 university) or a research institution for research experience with another research mentor. Scholars apply for these internship opportunities in the fall/winter of the first year of the program.

⇒ Faculty-mentored Research

During the semester, BUILD Scholars will continue to work on research with the BUILD Faculty Mentor. Trainees are expected to spend on average 15 research hours per week during the semester.

⇒ BUILD Learning Community Seminar

BUILD Scholars are required to enroll in a 1-unit Learning Community Seminar (UNIV 395 for Year 1 Scholars and UNIV 495 for Year 2 Scholars) in each semester (no exceptions). If mandatory course conflicts arise, arrangements can be made for students to make up the work in GM office hours.

⇒ BUILD Research Curriculum

BUILD Scholars are required to take at least ONE of the following 3-unit courses during the 2-year program. They are encouraged to take one course per academic year (trainees are welcomed to take more than one if they fit in their schedules and degree program timeline). See the Approved Courses (PDF).

• Interdisciplinary Approaches to Health Disparities (HDEV 303)
  • Multidiscipline approach to health issues & disease
  • Develop an understanding of the cultural & personal relevance of research
  • Supports a culturally-relevant science identity

Note: HDEV 303 satisfies GE Category UD B (Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning) and Category UD D (Social Science)

• Scientific Research Communication (ENGR 361)
  • Proficiency in oral & written communication related to dissemination of research
  • Intensive practice in writing, editing, & critiquing
  • Discipline-specific methodologies

Note: This class satisfies GE Category F Writing Intensive Capstone requirement.

It is strongly recommended that the student completes the Research-infused Course Curriculum or RCC-equivalent course before taking this class. The course is cross-listed in multiple colleges. Students should enroll in the course within their respective college/discipline.

Prerequisites of ENGR 361 and upper-division standing.

⇒ Responsible Conduct of Research

BUILD Scholars are required to complete online CITI Training and eight hours of face-to-face training in Responsible Conduct of Research.

⇒ BUILD Research Colloquium Attendance

BUILD Scholars are required to attend two BUILD Research Colloquium talks in each semester.

⇒ GRE Preparation

BUILD Scholars are offered optional GRE workshops and preparation support. It is highly recommended that trainees participate in the GRE workshops by early Spring semester of their first year in the Scholars program.

⇒ Professional Conference Travel

BUILD Scholars are expected to attend the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) or the Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) Conference during the first year and present their research at a professional conference in their disciplines in the second year. Travel support is available from BUILD yearly.