This program matches community college students with research scientists and physician scientists to conduct research in the laboratory. This is NOT a venue where you show up and wash test tubes, but you will actually do research. You will be paired with a faculty member at the UC Davis Cancer Center who has volunteered and eager to mentor a community college student.

This is a one-of-a-kind program that will give you the ability to learn, be mentored, conduct actual research, be published, and even get paid!

This is a very unique opportunity, and maturity, ability to follow directions, being attentive and behaving like an adult is imperative. You will be working on actual research projects that the professors have been conducting for years. Professionalism and maturity is a MUST. If you feel that you are not capable of that, please do not apply.

You will also have the ability to learn a great deal of science as you conduct cutting-edge research, and you will learn lab techniques and work on new and innovative equipment.

This is a research program, and you will work in a laboratory setting, so there will be no shadowing of physicians or seeing patients.

If you are successful, and your mentor observes that you are an asset to their research and the lab, then after the end of the program you could potentially continue your work and even get paid! This decision will be made by the individual mentor according to your contribution -- it will be under his or her full discretion.

Time Commitment/Length

The program has an anticipated start date of March 15, 2010 and is set to end on the last week of June 2010. You are anticipated to participate the entire time (unless you choose to leave the program, or are removed).

We are requiring that you commit a minimum of 10 hours a week to get the full effect of the program.

Please note that your hours must be scheduled on Monday thru Friday, 8 am to 6 pm, and on some Saturdays, depending on the mentors schedule. On average, professors spend up to 50-60 hours in the laboratory, so you should have no problem scheduling enough sessions to meet the 10-hour time commitment.

Eligibility

We understand that as a community college student you may not have taken all the advanced biology, physics, and chemistry -- that's OK; in fact, that's why this program exists. You need to meet only minimal requirements to be part of this program, because many of the mentors believe that teaching does occur in the lab.

1. You must have completed either one General Chemistry course with lab, or one biology course with lab with a grade of “B” or higher (the following are ARC classes, check for similar courses at other schools):

Chemistry 400 (General Chemistry) B or higher or Biology 400 (Principles of Biology) B or higher.

You can complete this prerequisite at any one of the region's community colleges:

• American River College
• Sacramento City College
• Consumnes River College
• Folsom Lake College
• Yuba College
• Woodland College
• San Joaquin Delta College
• Solano Community College