The following are examples of engagement in the major field and the documentation that must be provided to your Honors advisor. Please contact your Honors advisor prior to initiating the activity to ensure that it satisfies the criteria for engagement in the major, especially for activities not listed below.

1. Presentation of original research

• Description: Oral or poster presentation of original work to a general audience.
• Documentation required: Meeting program (with student’s title) and an e-mail verification from the faculty research advisor
• Examples of engagement:
• • • Colloquia on campus
    • Frontiers Research Exhibition (https://ugradresearch.uconn.edu/frontiers/)
    • Biology Undergraduate Research Colloquium
    • Presentation at a regional, national, or international scientific meeting

2. Pedagogical engagement with the community

• • Description: Teaching activities or demonstrations at local schools / community outreach to secondary education
  • Documentation required: email verification from school host or program coordinator.
  • Examples of engagement:
    • Participation in science fairs or serving as guest speaker on MCB-related topic
    • Participation in Early College Experience (ECE) courses at E.O. Smith High School (https://ece.uconn.edu/)
    • Engagement with outreach programs/professional development for middle/high school teachers 

3. Seeking fiscal or academic support for scholarly activity

• Description: Preparation and submission of an application to support undergraduate research or other undergraduate scholarly endeavors from an advisor-approved University-level, national or international agency.
• Documentation required: copy of written proposal and acknowledgement of submission.
• Examples of engagement:
  • UConn Undergraduate Grants and Scholarships (e.g., SURF Awards, IDEA Grants, Holster Scholarships)
    • https://ugradresearch.uconn.edu/
    • https://honors.uconn.edu/holster-scholars/
    • https://mcb.uconn.edu/undergraduate-scholarships-and-fellowships/
  • University Scholars Program
    • https://universityscholars.uconn.edu/
  • Federal funding agencies (e.g., National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health)
    • https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/index.jsp
    • https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/ugsp
  • National Undergraduate Grants and Scholarships (e.g. Goldwater Scholarship)
    • https://www.onsf.uconn.edu/

4. Involvement in an organization related to the MCB Major

• Description: Involvement entails an advisor-approved leadership role and/or active participation (presentations, community engagement, etc.)
• Documentation required: letter from faculty advisor/program coordinator describing student’s role.
• Examples of engagement:
  • UConn organizations and Learning Communities (e.g., UgO:MCB, WiMSE)
    • https://mcb.uconn.edu/ugomcb/
    • https://honors.uconn.edu/stem-scholars/
    • https://lc.uconn.edu/wimse-house/
  • National organizations (e.g., American Society for Microbiology, UConn Student Chapter)

The following are not considered adequate Engagement in the Field

• Shadowing or volunteering at a clinic or hospital
• Paid shift work as an EMT, CNA, medical scribe, etc.
• Oral or Poster presentations as part of a UConn course
• Working as a tutor or peer mentor for pay or course credit
• Participating in pre-medical/pre-dental clubs (unless participation includes at least one of the areas above)