Spring 2022

Instructors:

Dr. Kaci Thompson
1313 Symons Hall
301-405-2160
email: kaci@umd.edu
Office hours:  by appointment

Jennifer Carrion
1313 Symons Hall
301-405-3353
email: jcarrion@umd.edu
Office hours:  by appointment

Mayra Torres
email: mayra@umd.edu
Office hours:  by appointment

Overview:

BioFIRE is designed to enhance your academic success through

• Early experiences that reinforce your interest in science and
• A support network that helps you navigate the challenges associated with pursuing a science major

Our Spring Colloquium is intended to affirm our community values: 

• Intellectual curiosity: Curiosity is the root of scientific inquiry. BioFIRE strives to instill a deep, lasting curiosity about the natural world and help you acquire the scientific inquiry skills to pursue your intellectual curiosity.
• Resilience: BioFIRE aims to provide you with coping skills, role models, and social support to help you achieve success in the face of academic, professional, and personal challenges.
• Community: A strong sense of community enhances your integration into the university and buffers you against the inevitable challenges of pursuing a STEM major. BioFIRE fosters community through peer mentoring, academic collaboration, and social activities.
• Diversity and inclusion: Diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and opinions is key to the future success of the collaborative scientific enterprise. BioFIRE is committed to maintaining an atmosphere in which differences are welcomed and everyone's contributions are valued.

Learning objectives:

Through this course, you will

• Learn strategies for enhancing your learning and academic success
• Gain greater clarity regarding your career aspirations
• Prepare to pursue co-curricular opportunities that move you closer to your long-term goals

Text:

There is no required text. All required readings will be provided in ELMS or through links to other online materials. You will be expected to find additional online readings and resources inside and outside of class meetings.

Format of the class:

The class meets once per week on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:45 PM for the first 10 weeks of the semester. During class time, we will hold workshops in which you will be expected to work in groups. We will also have some visitors who will give presentations. You are required to attend 9 of the 10 scheduled class meetings (you only need to attend one of the two career panel class meetings).

Assignment of grades:

The final grade for the course will be based upon a total of 315 possible points. Instead of having a small number of high stakes assignments, this course will have a larger number of small- and medium-sized assignments that build over the semester. Instructions and due dates for all graded assignments are given in ELMS. Late assignments will lose 10% of the total points for each day past the due date. 

Campus policies:

It is our shared responsibility to know and abide by the University of Maryland's policies that relate to all courses, which include topics such as:

• Academic integrity
• Student and instructor conduct
• Accessibility and accommodations
• Attendance and excused absences
• Grades and appeals
• Copyright and intellectual property

Please visit www.ugst.umd.edu/courserelatedpolicies.html for the Office of Undergraduate Studies' full list of campus-wide policies and don't hesitate to contact one of us if you have questions about how those policies pertain to our class.