The engagement program is open to all declared undergraduate Biochemistry students. The goal of this program is to engage and integrate undergraduate Biochemistry students into the Biochemistry Department through structured, pre-determined activities that you complete outside of the classroom and in research.
Students who participate in this program and complete all program requirements will be recognized in our Hub newsletter, department newsletter, and potentially other avenues at the end of the academic year. This is also a great activity to add to your resume!
The Biochemistry Engagement Program encourages, celebrates, and recognizes the importance of students’ involvement within the department. We hope that once you complete this program, you will leave with an increased sense of belonging, increased understanding of research going on in the Department/in the biochemical sciences, and increased connections with department faculty and other undergraduates in the Biochemistry major.
Program Requirements
Students must complete at least 12 points across multiple sections (including all activities in Section 1) before the end of the academic year to fulfill program requirements. All requirements must be completed within the year you are participating (Fall and Spring semester of an academic year).
Students may participate in this program multiple years!
You will need to sign up for the Canvas course each year to “reset” your points. Points cannot be carried across multiple years.
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Section 1: Complete Once Per Year
1 point each — must complete all at least once per academic year
- Meet with your assigned Academic Advisor in the Biochemistry / Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub in a scheduled virtual or in-person appointment.
- Attend an event hosted by, or held in collaboration with, the Biochemistry / Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub.
- Attend in-person Drop-in Hours at the Biochemistry / Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub office.
Section 2: Get to Know the Department and Resources
1 point each — can repeat activities for points where applicable.
- Attend a GUTS Study Skills Workshop event.
- Enroll in BIOCHEM 100 (can be taken in the first year only).
- Assist the Hub in some capacity outside of the classroom or advising appointment.
- Examples include events, tours, sticker design submissions, and more.
- Conduct an independent faculty informational interview.
- Note: If you are enrolled in BIOCHEM 100, the faculty interview assignment cannot be double-counted for this point.
Section 3: Get to Know Your Classmates
2 point each — can repeat activities for points where applicable.
- Participate in the Peer Mentor Program as a mentor and/or mentee.
- Maintain membership and be an active member in the Biochemistry student organization American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), UW–Madison Student Chapter for one academic year.
- Be a TA or student helper/assistant in a BIOCHEM course. You must be enrolled in 299 or 699 credits as a part of this experience.
Section 4: Engage with the Field of Biochemistry
3 points each — can repeat activities for points where applicable.
- Attend a minimum of three Biochemistry Colloquium seminars hosted by the Biochemistry Department (1 point each; must attend 3).
- Attend the Undergraduate Research Symposium and review a minimum of three presentations and/or research displays.
- Attend a Lab Tour or Site Visit hosted by CALS Career Services.
- Enroll in a BIOCHEM elective course (choose from BIOCHEM 207, 510, 560, 575, 601, 609, 612, 619, 620, 621, 625, 631, or 645).
Section 5: Dive Deep into Biochemical Research
Only 4 points can be obtained from this section once per year.
- Be involved in a Biochemistry research lab for pay or credit for at least 2 semesters.
- Complete a two-semester Senior Thesis (691/692) or Senior Honors Thesis (681/682).
- Participate in the Biochemistry Scholars Program.
- Present and/or Display research in the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
- Complete a non-research based experiential learning opportunities related to Biochemistry*.
- Examples: Internship, Optional Practical Training (OPT), literature review paper of a biochemical topic, research in BIOLOGY 152, etc.
*Please email an advisor at the Biochemistry/Microbiology Undergraduate Advising Hub (biochemmicrobio-advisor@wisc.edu) for approval of non-research experience.
Eligibility and Registration
The opportunity to participate in this program and be recognized for your participation is open to any declared undergraduate Biochemistry major. This program will be offered each year, and students are able to participate multiple years. Points cannot be carried into new program years and students must sign up for the new Canvas course each year they participate.
Students who participate in this program will have access to the program Canvas course, where they will track their attendance and involvement in activities and events. Students are responsible for filling out their participation form and/or completing the sign-in sheet for events and activities listed above.
Interested in participating? Next steps are easy!
Sign up for the program by accessing the Biochemistry / Microbiology Engagement Program Canvas course page: