Biology Scholars Program
ASM Education Department
1752 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Phone: 202-942-9299
Fax: 202-942-9329

Completed application packets should include:

1. BSP Research Residency Application and Institutional Form

2. Statement confirming your availability to participate in all aspects of the year-long Biology Scholars Research Residency, including

• Participation in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Institute, July 14-17, 2010, Washington, DC

• Completion of all pre- and post-Institute assignments and readings

• Biology Scholars Capstone Institute, May 2011, TBA

• ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators, May 2011, TBA or another professional society meeting that sponsors education sessions and workshops

• Presentations at local and/or national meetings

• Participation in Biology Scholars e-community

• Participation in up to five years of tracking of your professional development by ASM

3. Curriculum vitae (limited to two pages) containing information relevant to the Research Residency

4. Table describing your teaching responsibilities, including course names and levels, number of students, and types of students (biology, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, and general education majors and allied health students) and percentage of students coming from underrepresented and/or underserved populations

5.  Five essays (no more than five pages combined, double-spaced and numbered, with your name and institution in the header of each page) on your:

a.  Essay #1: Teaching philosophy.  Describe your teaching philosophy, addressing   how do you teach?  Why do you teach the way you do?  How do you know that you are being effective and that your students are learning?

b. Essay #2: Teaching challenge or problem.  Describe your teaching problem or challenge, including any evidence collected to know that a problem exists.  What are the underlying assumptions regarding the problem?  How widespread do you think the problem is?  What question(s) does the problem lead you to ask?  How have you addressed the problem thus far?

c.  Essay #3: Personal and/or professional goals.  Describe professional development activities pertinent to the Biology Scholars Program that you have participated in during the previous 24 months.  What previous experience have you had with scholarly teaching, the scholarship of teaching and learning, education research including workshops/seminars/courses (attended or presented), self study efforts, or publications?

d.  Essay #4: Outreach Activities.  Describe any outreach activities that you have participated in during the previous 24 months.  Describe your purpose for participating in and outcomes for these activities, particularly those to improve and/or enhance student learning.

e.  Essay #5: Institutional environment.  Describe your institution’s environment for improving teaching and learning. Does your institution support teaching seminars, a center for faculty development, release time and/or collaborative work to improve courses, curriculum, and travel to educational meetings?  Describe any currently or previous funding and/or support that you have had to improve student learning.

6.  A letter of support from an institutional administrator or supervisor advocating your participation in the program and detailing possible infrastructure and institutional support available to you as you pursue your research.  The letter must originate from the advocate's e-mail account. Send the support letter to biologyscholars@asmusa.org

7.  A letter of support from a colleague who is familiar with your teaching and interest in student learning. The letter must originate from the advocate's e-mail account. Send the support letter to biologyscholars@asmusa.org

Questions about the application process should be directed to biologyscholars@asmusa.org