Bridge to the Baccalaureate Program

The University of Miami (UM) and Miami Dade College (MDC) have collaborated on the Bridge to the Baccalaureate program since 1994. The long-term goal of the program is to encourage students from underrepresented groups to pursue PhDs and enter research careers in the biomedical sciences. It is designed to facilitate their transition into the biomedical sciences at UM. The Bridge program is funded and supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). This funding provides students with paid research experiences while at MDC. The key components of the Bridge program are:
- Special courses
- Research experiences
- Faculty mentoring
- Travel to national science meetings

Requirements for Bridge Program

  • Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to be eligible.
  • Students must enroll at one of the following four MDC campuses: Kendall, Wolfson, North, or InterAmerican.
  • Students should submit the Bridge Program Application by June 1, before beginning their first year at MDC in the fall. 

Summer Before First Year at MDC

  • Complete Chemistry 110, a three-credit chemistry course at UM taken the summer before entering MDC (UM credit is granted)
  • Attend orientation

First Year at MDC

  • Complete BSC2426 and BSC2426L, at MDC in the fall semester
  • Complete CHM1045 and CHM1045L, at MDC in the spring semester
  • Complete the Emerging Scholars General Chemistry Workshop, Chemistry 300, at UM in the  spring semester 
  • Attend three Family Science Sunday events at UM with a parent or guardian

Summer Between First and Second Year at MDC

  • Conduct research with a UM faculty mentor for a maximum of 20 hours per week in summer session A and a maximum of 40 hours per week during summer session B
  • Complete a Research Ethics course at MDC North Campus in summer session A (MDC credit is granted)

Second Year at MDC

  • Complete Biology 153 Integrated Biology and Chemistry Lab during the fall semester, an introductory research-based laboratory course at UM (MDC credit is granted)
  • Complete and submit a scientific paper based on the summer research conducted and present the findings at a research symposium held at the beginning of the fall semester at UM
  • Complete the Emerging Scholars General Chemistry Workshop, Chemistry 300, at UM in the  fall semester
  • Complete CHM1046 and BSC2010 at MDC, in the fall semester
  • Complete BSC2011 and BSC 2011L at MDC, in the spring semester
  •  Attend and present summer research at a national scientific meeting (ABRCMS)  
  • Conduct research with a UM faculty mentor during the fall and spring semesters of the second year at MDC for a maximum of 10 hours per week
  • Complete and submit a scientific paper based on the research conducted during the second year and present findings at a research symposium held at the end of the spring semester at UM
  • Complete the UM common application and apply for federal, state and UM financial aid before the designated deadlines
  • Graduate from MDC with an AA degree and at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average

Requirements for accepted Bridge Transfer Students

  • Scholars who successfully complete the Bridge program can transfer to UM and are eligible to become Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Scholars

Summer After Graduating from MDC

  • Complete Biology 250, a UM Genetics course taken the summer after graduating from MDC
  • Complete the Emerging Scholars Genetics Workshop in conjunction with Biology 250

Juniors and Senior Years at UM

  • Major in Biology/Microbiology/Neuroscience/Biomedical Engineering and Minor in a Natural Science
  • Maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (Students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation and will have one semester to raise their cumulative GPA to the required 3.0 minimum)
  • Attend monthly meetings with the program director and/or program coordinator
  • Complete an extramural summer internship between the junior and senior year at a university that is located outside of the state of Florida
  • Attend a national meeting 

Course Requirements in Addition to Major Requirements

Junior Year

Fall

  • BIL 371 (Readings in Biology)- 1 page research update due at end of the semester
  • BIL 374 (Bioethics)- Not required if taken at MDC

Spring

  • BIL 372 (Readings in Biology)- 1 page research update due at end of the semester
  • BIL 299 (Research Problems)- can take if fall semester if it is not available

Senior Year

Spring

  • BIL 498 (Senior Thesis)- research report required at the end of the semester
  • BIL 499 (Research Colloquium)
  • Participate in RCIF

For additional information visit the Miami Dade College Bridge Program Website.