Miami Dade College – Wolfson Campus

ARCOS Program

Undergraduate Research and Project Opportunities (URPO)

Overview

The ARCOS Undergraduate Research and Project Opportunity (URPO) program was created to broaden

students’ knowledge in their chosen fields, enrich their undergraduate experience, and offer them the

opportunity to acquire research experience early in their careers. This program offers MDC-Wolfson

campus students majoring in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) the

opportunity to work one-on-one with an MDC faculty on available research/projects. Interested students

have to submit a complete application to the ARCOS program by the announced deadline. Selected students

who successfully complete program requirements have the opportunity to receive a stipend for the

equivalent of $100 per month for up to $800 within an academic year.

Participant Responsibilities

Selected candidates are required to fulfill the following:

Engage in research/project activities during the fall and spring terms

Complete designated URPO training workshop

Work under the guidelines of designated faculty

Dedicate 5-10 hours per week for the research/project. Based on the research/project, faculty will

determine the exact number of hours within the aforementioned range

Meet for a minimum of three times per term with designated student URPO group

Complete a properly formatted research poster to be presented at the Annual STEM Exhibition

and/or Annual Science Symposium

When appropriate, provide an oral presentation of research findings at a designated locale

Eligibility

URPO candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered:

Enrolled at MDC Wolfson Campus for a minimum of six credit hours for both fall and spring terms Have declared a STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) related major or pathway Completion of at least two semesters for a total of 24 credit hours. Only grades of A, B, C, and S

will count towards the 24 credit hours Minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a math/science GPA of 3.3 Be in good academic standing

Application Requirements

The following application documents must be received as a package by no later than August 30, 2019:

Undergraduate Research and Project Opportunities Application Form

500-800 word-processed essay addressing the questions provided in application form

Undergraduate Research and Project Opportunities Reference Form (from an MDC faculty)

Copy of unofficial transcripts (may be obtained from MyMDC student portal)

Copy of fall semester course schedule

Submit Documents to: ARCOS, MDC-Wolfson, Room 1501-5, 300 NE 2nd Ave. Miami, FL 33132 E-mail questions to: arcos@mdc.edu; phone: (305) 237-3177

Miami Dade College – Wolfson Campus Undergraduate Research and Project Opportunities (URPO)

Participant Application - 2019/2020

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Part A: Personal Information Last Name Firs First Student Id Gender

Female Male

Address City State Zip Code

E-mail Home Phone Cell Phone

Declared Major Type of Degree (check one)

A.A. A.S.

B.S. Other_________

Overall GPA Math/Science GPA*: ________________ *Please use website below to calculate GPA. https://registrar.utexas.edu/tools/gpa-calculator

Total Number of Credits Earned Are you in good academic standing?

Yes No If no, please explain __________________________________________________________________

Will you be enrolling at MDC Wolfson campus during? (check all that apply)

Fall term Spring term

Expected Graduation Date: Will you be employed in the fall term?

Yes If yes, how many hours per week will you be working? ________

No

Part B: Academics and Experience

What grades did you receive in the following course? Fill in the letter grade received below.

CHEMISTRY:

___ CHM1025

___ CHM1045

___ CHM1046

___ OTHER: _______________

BIOLOGY:

___ BSC1025

___ BSC2010

___ BSC2011

PHYSICS:

___ PHY1025

___ PHY2048

___ PHY2049

___ PHY2053

___ PHY2054

MATH:

___ MAT1033 ___ MAC2311

___ MAC1105 ___ MAC2312

___ MAC1114 ___ MAC2313

___ MAC1140 ___ MAP2302

___ MAC1147 ___ OTHER: __________________

Do you have any research experiences? ☐ Yes ☐ No If yes, please list location, faculty name, and a brief research description.

Part C: Preferences and Availability What field(s) of STEM do you prefer to participate in?

Science Technology

Engineering Mathematics

Within your preferred field(s), please list areas of research/project interest?

No preference

List area(s) ____________________________________________________________________________

List days and hours of availability during the fall term.

Mon________________ Tues________________ Wed _______________ Thurs________________ Fri__________________ Don’t know yet

Part D: About the Applicant

Attached to this application, submit a 500-800 word-processed essay addressing the following questions:

1. Why are you interested in participating in undergraduate research/project development? 2. Briefly describe how research/project development fits within your academic and career goals? 3. What do you expect to gain out of this experience?

By signing below, I attest the information provided in this application is true and represents by abilities to the best of my knowledge.

I authorize the ARCOS Program to verify my academic standing.

Signature: ____________________________________________________________ Date: ____________________________

Miami Dade College – Wolfson Campus Undergraduate Research and Project Opportunities (URPO)

Applicant Reference Form

For MDC faculty: The student listed below is applying to participate in undergraduate research or project development. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us evaluate his/her qualifications. Please place the form in a sealed envelope and return it to the student. Thank you in advance for your time. If you would like to know more about the program, please visit our website, www.mdc.edu/arcos.

Student Name: ______________________________________________ Student ID: _____________________________

Faculty Information:

Last Name First Name

MDC Department Position/Title

E-mail Phone

Approximate length of time you know the candidate

How do you know the candidate?

Please relate your responses specifically to the student’s ability as compared to other students you have taught. Check or place an X in the appropriate box for each area:

Personal Qualities Excellent Good Fair Poor No Observation Creativity

Judgment

Organizational Skills

Emotional Maturity

Interpersonal Skills

Oral Communication Skills

Reliability

Motivation

Reaction to Feedback

Respect for Authority

Ability to Work in Groups

Independence

Academic Abilities Excellent Good Fair Poor No Observation Interest in Math

Interest in Science

Writing Skills

Computer/Technical Skills

Intellectual Curiosity

Time-Management

Study Habits

Overall recommendation:

Highly Recommend Recommend Recommend with Reservation Do not Recommend

Comments: (Optional)

Signature:___________________________________________________________ Date:____________________________________

Send all application documents to: ARCOS, MDC-Wolfson Campus, Room 1501-5, 300 NE 2nd Ave. Miami, FL 33132