Life Sciences
Exploring the entirety of the natural world, from tiny microbes to complex ecosystems
Introduction
We live on a vast planet, alongside billions of other living organisms—both visible to the naked eye and not. Life Sciences introduces students to the interdisciplinary nature of the life sciences and explores how we might best apply the knowledge we gain to better our community, our nation and the world we share with our fellow inhabitants.
Discussing a range of topics, including molecular biology, human genetics, ecology, evolution, conservation and ethics, students in this Scholars program seek to answer big questions:
- How do we use our knowledge and skills to improve various aspects of human health?
- How do we create a sustainable future for all life forms?
- How do the life sciences interact with our daily lives (religion, politics, relationships, business, the arts)?
Ultimately, students discover how they might build toward careers to help their fellow human beings and other life on this planet.
This program offers a close community of students who share a common passion for life sciences, broadly defined, and an enduring concern for the well-being of others.
Colloquium and Lecture Topics
- The story of the human body: Evolution, health and disease
- Future city: Urban nature as healing gardens
- Professional development: Finding an internship
- Movie: The Serengeti Rules
- Cathedrals of Science: The human scientists behind science
- Individual journeys defining success for Life Sciences Scholars
The program actively encourages involvement in opportunities to explore the extensive breadth of professions related to the sciences. The relationships and experiences [of Life Sciences] go beyond the typical expectations associated with large, competitive education institutions.
SEMESTER | COURSES | CREDITS |
---|---|---|
Semester 1 | CPSF 100: Colloquium I | 1 credit |
BSCI 160 + 161S: Ecology and Evolution + Lab (DSNL) | 4 credits | |
CHEM 131S + 132S: General Chemistry + Lab (DSNL) | 4 credits | |
UNIV 100: The Student in the University | 1 credit | |
Semester 2 | CPSF 101: Colloquium II | 1 credit |
BSCI 170 + 171S: Molecular and Cellular Biology + Lab (DSNL) | 4 credits | |
Semester 3 | CPSF 200: Colloquium III | 1 credit |
Semester 4 | BSCI 258: Internship | 2 credits |
Sponsoring College
Office Address
1212 Centreville Hall
Office Phone
Faculty
News and Notes, Etc.
Life Sciences News
From College Park Scholar to Fulbright Scholar: Life Sciences Alum Serving in Indonesia
Life Sciences alumna Sarahann Yeh arrived in Indonesia on Aug. 23 to work with high school students at SMAN 7, a public high school on the outskirts of Bandar Lampung city. Yeh received the Fulbright Scholarship this past spring, which funded her nine-month trip and connected her with service opportunities in Indonesia. She is also serving as a U.S. cultural ambassador, and she credits Scholars for helping her to discover her passion for cultural advocacy. "Scholars taught me to value experiential learning and gave me confidence to pursue international opportunities,” Yeh said. “I remember sitting in colloquium when a lightbulb went off in my head: ‘I don't have to just learn about things in lecture. I can go do them.’”
Life Sciences Alumna Awarded Fulbright Grant
With graduation only weeks away, senior biological sciences major Sarahann Yeh’s future looks even brighter since being awarded the 2016-17 Fulbright U.S. Student Grant. The Life Sciences alumna will use her award to teach English in Indonesia, assisting local English teachers. Yeh said that Scholars gave her the springboard she needed to get involved on campus. “Scholars enabled me to hit the ground running when I came to Maryland,” Yeh said. While in Indonesia, Yeh will also serve as a U.S. cultural ambassador while she volunteers, and she credits Scholars for helping her discover her excitement for cultural advocacy.
Me Too Monologues Make Debut With College Park Scholars
On March 31, the Cambridge Community will host the first-ever Me Too Monologues on the College Park campus. Me Too Monologues is a documentary theater performance about identity and all the issues that surround it. Students and faculty have been asked to anonymously submit stories about their experiences, and peers will perform their stories as monologues in a theatrical production. This is a national production that has been performed at colleges all over the country. Sophomore Life Sciences Scholar Maryam Ghaderi decided to propose that Scholars host this event after hearing about the Me Too Monologues from friends.