Washington University

Medicine and Research
Connections

A Program Offered in Collaboration with the School of Medicine at Washington University and Cornerstone, the Center for Advanced Learning

 

Description

For a sample schedule, see what we did in 2009.

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Medicine and Research Connections is a unique program offered by the School of Medicine and Cornerstone: The Center for Advanced Learning.  It introduces incoming freshmen to cutting-edge medical practice and research conducted at Washington University and in the greater St. Louis area.  Students meet and hear from physicians, scientists and faculty members, and attend classes at the School of Medicine “mini” medical school.  Connections provides an opportunity to meet and talk with patients and faculty, and to tour research facilities and participate in fun team-building exercises.

Students will meet the Dean of the School of Medicine, Dr. Larry Shapiro, and visit the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.  In the Mini Medical School students will learn about the latest in medical research and practice-from high tech surgical techniques to cochlear implants.  They may also learn how physicians work up patients and review actual Emergency Medicine cases.  Students will tour the medical school, the Center for Advanced Medicine, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Surgical Vivarium and Genome Sequence Center, where over 25% of the Human Genome was sequenced.  Additionally, life science program advisors and a panel of students will be available to answer questions about the WU Life Sciences, the pre-med curricula, and summer internships.

Goals

  • To increase students' interest in and understanding of research and underlying science
  • Develop students' knowledge of cutting–edge topics in science and medicine
  • Provide students with an understanding of how to organize their coursework in basic and applied science over their undergraduate experience at Washington University
  • Provide students with knowledge about the various careers they might want to consider
  • Establish an ethos that supports student efforts to develop productive and sustainable relationships with their peers and Washington University faculty
  • Orient students to the resources available to them at Washington University and help students access services to ease their transition from high school to the University

Enrollment in the program is limited and will be offered to the first 75 incoming freshman who apply through the Office of Orientation. The $400 program fee covers the cost of housing, the opening banquet and all other meals, transportation to all programs, the course syllabus, and assigned readings.

Contact: Sean Chism, 314-935-5970, sean_chism@wustl.edu

 

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online starting April 14, 2009, through the Office of Orientation.