DIVERSITY

MCDB is strongly committed to diversity and equal opportunity for all students. The primary mission of the MCDB Diversity Program is to eliminate all real or perceived barriers that may cause members of the MCDB community to feel uncomfortable or limit the educational experience in MCDB. This includes promoting a congenial and friendly atmosphere that will make everyone feel welcome, ensuring that no one is subjected to discriminatory or harassing behavior of any kind, and providing support systems that allow students to overcome background deficiencies and successfully complete the academically rigorous MCDB major.

Academic Assistance

Academic assistance is available from teaching assistants to all MCDB majors in large introductory courses, and from peer tutors in some courses, as well as from faculty members during office hours. We have established two new co-seminar courses (MCDB 1152 and MCDB 2152) for one hour of pass-fail credit.  These courses are taught by Learning Assistants and are designed to help students understand the lecture concepts in our introductory molecular and cellular biology course (MCDB 1150) and our introductory genetics course (MCDB 2150).  Co-seminar sessions focus on group work and include activities such as modeling and concept maps, problem solving, reviewing lecture concepts and working on homework assignments.

Programs to Promote Diversity

The Diversity Committee established a peer-mentoring program (the MCDB Mentors) for first-year students in MCDB. Mentors are upperclass MCDB majors who meet with introductory students once a month in their lab sections.  The MCDB Mentors generate newsletters and study tips, as well as sponsor evening faculty seminars, the departmental barbecue, and undergraduate research support. The MCDB Mentors also refurbished a Learning Lounge with computers, furniture and new paint, which is used extensively by our students for study groups and individual work.