Announcements Archive
Independent Research Course Creation Instructions & Deadlines
This is a reminder, that if you are seeking to request for an Independent Research (IR) course with a specific faculty member within the BMED Department or with a faculty member outside of the BMED department within the university in their labs, you must complete and follow the steps below as listed:
- Faculty must submit an email request to Dr. Nair ( Saraswathy.Nair@utrgv.edu) with the following information:
- Course Name and Number (student needs to refer to road map and must provide info to faculty)
- Edinburg or Brownsville & Lab office number
- Student cap size
- Student ID# and email address
- Instructional method (Traditional, Hybrid, Reduced/Hybrid)
- Meeting dates and time if instructing Traditional or Hybrid courses
- Upon Approval by Dr. Nair, the department will proceed to create course.
- Once course has been processed and created, the faculty member will be advised by Elizabeth, that it is approved along with the corresponding information that is needed to be advised.
- Once the faculty member has been informed, they will then contact the student with the following information below:
- Course information including (Course Name, Course Number, Course Section & CRN)
NOTE: Students cannot be registered for two IR courses in one semester, as it is against BMED Registration compliance.
Please keep in mind the following deadlines that are enforced for submitting the creation of an IR course. All requests must be submitted before 5pm on day of deadline, no exceptions:
Fall 2020 Semester: August 10th, 2020
Spring 2021 Semester: December 18th, 2020 (Hard deadline Jan. 4th 2021)
Fall 2021 Semester: August 16th, 2021
Spring 2022 Semester: December 1st, 2021
Fall 2022 Semester: August 12th, 2022
ATTENTION BMED STUDENTS:
All BMED students should be aware that the reason we advise taking Chem I first semester, followed by Chem II and then O. Chem I and II as per the roadmaps is because these Chemistry courses are critical to doing well in the BMED coursework. So, please do NOT delay taking your Chemistry coursework-they should go hand in hand with the BMED coursework. Postponing taking them delays graduation plans as well as performance in the BMED program and standardized exams for professional schools.
Fall 2018 Registration Instructions:
- If you have registration blocks/ holds (could be advising, financial, immunization record or for other reasons)-be sure to get that cleared ASAP at U Central (The Tower in Main). You will not be allowed to self-register if you have a block/hold. Do not panic, though, as registration will remain open through the spring and summer.
- You should refer to the recommended lists of non-BMED classes, course sequencing roadmap, etc at this link. Use that, along with any advice you may have received from an academic advisor, to guide you.
- All of the BMED-specific courses below are marked with a “BR” within the section number. This is an easy way to identify the courses that are specific to this program.
- Should you need assistance or if you run into issues after today. Contact us via email.
- Below, is the list of BMED-specific courses that you should self-register for Fall 2018. Please follow the steps below to select your courses.
- BMED Sections/courses are designed for specific Cohorts/tracks. Make sure you have the correct registration instructions based on your current track/cohort. You will only be able to self-register for the classes/section listed on this document.
- If you need additional classes than those listed here, please come by the BMED office to make an appointment to meet with Dr. Nair.
- Ensure you are registered for enough credit hours to meet your financial aid or scholarship requirements.
- If registering for more than 18 credit hours you will need to submit an Over-Hour Petition Form. Access form and instructions or visit our website under student resources.
- Please note that it may take up to 10 business days for this request to be processed. Deadline to accept over hour credit petitions is Monday, August 13, 2018.
Registration Instructions by Cohort/Track
- Cohort Fall 2015 4 YR Track Registration Instructions
- Cohort Fall 2016 4 YR Track Registration Instructions
- Cohort Fall 2016 3 YR Track Registration Instructions
- Cohort Fall 2017 4 YR Track Registration Instructions
- Cohort Fall 2017 3 YR Track Registration Instructions
Please note that Jan 15th is MLK holiday. If you have not followed up, and completed your overload petitions, taken care of your blocks and class conflicts and registration requests by Jan 16th, we will not guarantee that you will be registered in BMED classes for SP2018. Any requests/changes beyond Jan 16th are at risk for not meeting Registrar’s deadline.
ATTENTION BMED STUDENTS - Spring 2018
Dear Students,
Please make every effort to attend the medical school application workshop presented by Dr. Judianne Kellaway, MD., Associate Dean of Admissions at the UT Health San Antonio, Joe R. & Teresa Long School of Medicine on April 13 th, 2018. 1:00pm – 3:00pm in BRHP 1.222
This is particularly important for students who are planning to apply to medical school. Despite excellent GPAs and MCAT scores, one can still submit a suboptimal application package which will not make it competitive. So please attend and hear from the Associate Dean of Admissions of the San Antonio School of Medicine directly about the process.
Also, this is your opportunity to ask questions, address concerns etc.
Dr. Saras Nair,
Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences Chair
HLTH 3305 – SELECTED TOPICS - Applied Health Research Methods
SUMMER III 2018 (JUNE 4 – AUGUST 17)
The overall purpose of the course is to provide undergraduate students with a unique, comprehensive, field research experience contextualized within a population health equity framework. The course will (1) allow students to understand the whole research process from developing the research question(s) to the interpretation and dissemination of results; (2) raise awareness of issues related to population health equity; (3) stimulate interest in pursuing graduate school or medical education; and (4) enhance student competitiveness in the academic and practice domains through improved cultural competency and transferable research skills. The hybrid research methods summer course offers hands-on data collection at Operation Lone Star (OLS), an annual emergency preparedness health exercise, taking place over a one-week period along the Texas-Mexico border. The experience will offer a unique enriching lens to student education, providing them with unique skill sets that embrace a holistic, coordinated approach to health and health care delivery.
The class is scheduled to meet twice a week (T,TH 2-4 pm) on the Edinburg campus. However, given the hybrid nature of the course, some of the meeting times will take place virtually. During the field research experience, the week of July 30 th – August 3 rd, different class times will be assigned. The course is open to juniors and seniors. It is co-taught by Dr. Chris Ledingham and Dr. Suad Ghaddar.
For more information on 2018-2019 registration dates and deadlines see: UTRGV Academic Calendar
Diagnostic MCAT examination Saturday, April 7, 2018
Dear Students,
Thank you for signing up to participate in the Diagnostic MCAT. If you did not sign up to register for this examination we will not be able to offer you an access code and you will not be able to sit for this diagnostic exam. This examination should help you locate your strengths and weaknesses in your preparation for any professional terminal degree you may choose to enter.
Firstly, it should be noted that the time of the examination is at 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Registration will begin at 8:30 am sharp. We have four rooms available, three of these rooms are computer labs and one is a lecture hall. The computer labs are located in Main 1.504, Main 2.518, and LHSB 1.402. If you are planning to bring your own laptop, you will be taking your exam in Main 1.502. The seats available for the examination will be assigned on a first come first serve basis. When you arrive you will be asked to sign in and will receive your access code to being the registration process.
The registration process will be as follows:
Please log onto the link provided below.
http://mcat.nextsteptestprep.com/course/signup/ (EACH STUDENT's UNIQUE CODE GOES HERE)
*The access codes will be provided on the morning of the examination*
Once you have created your account, you can access your tests by signing into your account at mcat.nextsteptestprep.com. Your exams and other resources will be located on the "Resources" tab.
Each student will be able to go at his or her own pace on the timed diagnostic mode, and the exam must be completed in the allotted period we have designated. We strongly encourage students to limit their bathroom breaks to a maximum of 5 minutes between blocks. In the event that students have not finished their exam in the allotted time frame will be forced to submit their exams as is. Once you have completed the exam you will be asked to sign out from the attendance sheet located in the front of your room.
General rules for examination;
- No cell phones or other electronic devices may be used (including calculators)
- No headphones may be used during the examination
- Students talking or cheating will be removed from the examination
- Please be respectful of the other students taking their test when leaving for your break
- Scratch paper will be provided
These rules are the same ones implanted during the actual examination and we are aiming at having a similarly serious testing environment.
Any questions please let us know immediately.
Regards,
Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences.
Dear BMED students and faculty,
Please be aware that current students (even if not planning to go to Medical School) who do not take the announced MCAT diagnostic tests ( next one on April 7, 2018) will not be prioritized for clinical/research experiences recommendations, scholarships or Student Ambassadorship opportunities. This is because the MCAT diagnostic tests are for students’ benefit in assessing academic progress as well as BMED program Student Learning assessment purposes.
Dear BMED students,
All students planning to apply to medical school, regardless of class standing (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Seniors) should have started planning for the MCAT or should be well into their preparations to take it. You were emailed an invitation to attend a diagnostic MCAT examination on Saturday April 7th, 2018 at 9 AM. There is a signup sheet in BRHP 1.101. Please sign up ASAP.
Over 99% of BMED students aspire to medical schools yet less than a third make it… Why? Primary reason is noncompetitive MCAT scores… MCAT is a tough standardized exam you can ace, IF you practice. First step is to know where you are at today, and then practice and prepare to increase test taking skills and strategies.
Also, BMED program faculty cannot help you prepare if we have no baseline or benchmarks for progress. Therefore we need data as well. It costs nothing to take the diagnostic MCATS. We have not mandated this yet… But, if we see students failing to take the diagnostic MCATS, we will consider making these mandatory…
When you ask for LORs or ask to be in research labs or clinical experiences, we will check to see your academic standing. This will include compliance in MCAT diagnostic exams, workshops, volunteering etc. Therefore for your own benefit, please sign up and plan to take these diagnostic exams as they are announced.
Thank you,
Dr. Nair
ATTN: BMED STUDENTS 10-25-17
When submitting your Over Hour Credit Petition the following must be included:
1. Over Hour Credit Petition Form
2. Your Unofficial Transcript (available on your ASSIST)
3. Your Degree Plan or Roadmap (available on the UTRGV website)
Over Hour Credit Petition Packets can be turned in to the Brownsville or Edinburg Campus.
BBRHP 1.101 Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00 pm
EHABW 2.206 Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00 pm
ATTENTION BMED STUDENTS: 9-13-17
Please make sure that if you are taking one of the missions below you are also registered for the corresponding Coached Study Hour, if you are missing the Coached Study Hour, please contact the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences with your name, ID#, and course#/section# of the CSHR that you are missing.
| 3YR Honors Incoming Students: | |
| M1- BMED 1101/1104 1BR, 2BR & 5BR M2- BMED 1103/2102 1BR & 6BR M3- 1105/1109 1BR & 2BR M4- BMED 1106/1107 1BR & 3BR |
CSHR 1001 1BR & 4BR CSHR 1001 1BR & 4BR CSHR 1001 1BR & 5BR CSHR 1001 1BR & 5BR |
| 4YR Hybrid Incoming Students: | |
| M1- BMED 1101/1104 3BR, 4BR & 5BR M2- BMED 1103/2102 3BR, 4BR & 5BR |
CSHR 1001 2BR, 3BR & 4BR CSHR 1001 2BR, 3BR & 4BR |
| 4YR Honors Incoming Students: | |
| M1- BMED 1101/1104 2BR & 5BR M2- BMED 1103/2102 2BR & 5BR |
CSHR 1001 2BR, 3BR & 4BR CSHR 1001 2BR, 3BR & 4BR |
| 4YR Hybrid Students - Cohort 2: | |
| M5- BMED 1108/3104/3108 1BR, 2BR & 3BR M7- BMED 1110/2102 1BR, 2BR & 3BR |
CSHR 1002 1BR & 2BR CSHR 1002 1BR & 2BR |
| 4YR Hybrid Students - Cohort 1: | |
| M8- BMED 3102/4280 1BR & 2BR M9- BMED 3103 1BR & 2BR |
CSHR 1003 1BR CSHR 1003 1BR |
| 3YR Hybrid Students - Cohort 2: | |
| M8- BMED 3102/4280 1BR & 2BR M9- BMED 3103 1BR & 2BR |
CSHR 1003 1BR CSHR 1003 1BR |
Attention BMED Students: 7-12-17
Recommended Biomedicine integrated NON-BMED courses for Fall 2017
| Dept. | Subject | Course Number |
Section | CRN | Course Level |
Campus | Schd Type | Title |
| PSYC | PSYC | 2301 | 01B | 19700 | UG | BRW | LEC | General Psychology |
| WRLS | ENGL | 1301 | 09B | 19196 | UG | ED | LEC | Rhetoric & Composition I |
| CHEM | CHEM | 1111 | 01B | 24998 | UG | BRW | LAB | General Chemistry I Lab |
| CHEM | CHEM | 1111 | 02B | 25000 | UG | BRW | LAB | General Chemistry I Lab |
| CHEM | CHEM | 1311 | 01B | 24997 | UG | BRW | LEC | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM | CHEM | 1311 | 02B | 24999 | UG | BRW | LEC | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM | CHEM | 2123 | 01B | 25051 | UG | BRW | LAB | General Chemistry I Lab |
| CHEM | CHEM | 2123 | 02B | 25052 | UG | BRW | LAB | General Chemistry I Lab |
| CHEM | CHEM | 2123 | 03B | 25053 | UG | BRW | LAB | General Chemistry I Lab |
| CHEM | CHEM | 2123 | 01B | 25050 | UG | BRW | LEC | General Chemistry I |
| PHYS | PHYS | 1401 | 01B | 24872 | UG | BRW | LEC | General Physics I |
| PHYS | PHYS | 1401 | 02B | 24873 | UG | BRW | LEC | General Physics I |
| PHYS | PHYS | 1401 | AB | 19493 | UG | BRW | LAB | General Physics I |
| PHYS | PHYS | 1401 | BB | 19494 | UG | BRW | LAB | General Physics I |
Dr. David Fisher is offering the Big History course this Fall on Tuesday / Thursday, 12:15-1:30. BMED students, honors or non-honors, are welcome to enroll. This is not part of general education core.
HONR 2385. Big History. Course Description
Honors I is a seminar in Big History - an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the universe and the individual's place in it through the study of cosmology, Earth and life sciences, and human history. Our seminar is organized around the question of whether the short - and long-term prospects for our species, Homo sapiens, are dreadful or promising. We will investigate our cosmic, terrestrial, and biological homes as well as the history of our species in order to make an informed argument about where we are, where we came from, and where we might be headed. Critical reading, discussion, and writing are the fundamental methods of work in the course.
Math Placement Guidelines
If you have a certain MATH SAT/ACT score you can avoid having to test out of Pre-Cal or take the Pre-Cal course.
- ACT score 25 or higher
- SAT score 570 or higher
If you have taken calculus in high school, they will let you sign up (repeat) your highest level math course from high school. At present students can repeat the highest level mathematics course taken in high school. Contact the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences to see a mathematics advisor for placement into an appropriate college level course.
Attention Students: 5-11-17
Students enrolling in 2017 Summer Classes. If SI and SII undergraduate classes do not have at least 15 students enrolled, they will most probably be canceled. If you are concerned that your summer class may be canceled please contact the Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences office for more information.
Attention BMED Students: 1-26-17
Anyone who needs MATH3331 (Applied Statistics I) should instead take STAT3301 (Applied Statistics for Science, Engineering and Medical Science) starting Fall 2017. Prereqs and content remain the same. Anyone who took MATH3331 will receive credit for it.
Please be advised that we have extended online registration for students to add classes in Assist through Thursday, January 26th
BMED students/fees/drops: 1-18-17
- All BMED students should contact Student Accounting Services ( student_billing@utrgv.edu) to understand their statement of charges, and what they should pay.
- BMED students should make an effort to contact Student Accounting Services by email: ( student_billing@utrgv.edu) or by phone: 956-665-3622 / 956-665-7824 / 956-882-8251, if they need help understanding their statements.
- The -350/350 lines on the statement was simply to cancel out erroneously applied discounts (waivers) in FA16 and SP17.
- ONLY Hybrid students are charged the BMED fee of $350/semester (iPad lease/Apps/textbooks etc.)
- Dept. should be notified if you are at risk of being dropped for non-payment of what you owe.
Attention BMED students 1-17-17
It is on the hybrid students if they do not register in the mandatory CSHRs. Any graded activity/attendance points during CSHRs they will get zero.
ONLY hybrid students should be charged the $350 Biomedical Sciences fee for leasing iPads containing Apps and textbooks. All traditional (legacy) students should not be charged. If you are, please contact the department immediately.
Attention BMED Students: 11-14-16
TRADITIONAL STUDENTS- DO NOT register for BMED sections that have B or BR-those sections are only for Hybrid students
Attention BMED students interested in a research project with the South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute 11-4-16
Please contact Dr. Arthur Porto at arthur.porto@utrgv.edu or 956-882-7563 (email preferred).
Ideas for student projects: Potential projects involving laboratory opossums for UTRGV undergraduate students
Attention Legacy BMED students: 9-13-16
The correct literature course for all legacy BMED students is ENGL 2341. Please see advising for further information on this.
BMED students interested in applying to the Honors College should apply online right away.
Students should follow the link on the Honors College site to apply for admission. It will only take a few minutes and the Dean should provide a response within 2 weeks.
While waiting for a response students should:
- Review the contracts link and begin planning a contract for this semester.
- Attend the Honors convocation
- Brownsville Campus: Wednesday, September 21, 2016. El Gran Salon, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Edinburg Campus: Tuesday, September 20, 2016. University Ballroom, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Contact Dean Andersen or David Fisher with any questions.
|
Dean Mark Andersen |
David Fisher |
Attention traditional BMED students: 8-30-16
- We are in year 2 of teaching out of our traditional BMED program. So ALL traditional students should have completed their BMED 11XX courses by now. If they did not, they should see their program advisor ASAP. These courses will not be offered again (if we continue the hybrid program) unless there are more than 10 students.
- All traditional students have the last opportunity to sign up for 1108, 2101, 2102, 1111, 3103 this semester. If they don’t, they will not be offered again (if we continue the hybrid program) unless we have at least 10 students.
- TIME students especially have missed several lower level courses assuming they would get medical school credits. But cohort 1 (2013) and cohort 2 (2014) TIME students who are no longer TIME students (and thus will NOT receive medical school credits) need to be advised of above, if they haven’t been already. Unless we have at least 10 students NO courses that are taught out will be offered again.
- ALL traditional students signed up in BR/B (hybrid sections) will be dropped from BMED and non-BMED hybrid sections.
- ALL hybrid students in traditional BMED sections will be dropped.
Clinical Microbiology in Health Care (Brownsville campus): 8-10-16
The Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences is offering the course, Clinical Microbiology in Health Care at the Brownsville campus for pre nursing, pre nutrition and pre CLS students for the FIRST TIME. We need more students to enroll in this class for the Brownsville campus. If enrollment is less than 15 students, then the class will have to be postponed until Spring 2017. Contact your program advisor for more information. This course is currently being offered in Edinburg