As a first year BBSP student you will be part of a small group of students and faculty with related research interests. These ‘focus groups’ will meet in an informal course setting to work on development of critical thinking skills and on other professional skills relating to scientific communication (e.g. writing and speaking). One week you may read and discuss a scientific article with your group while for another meeting you may attend a seminar on campus or give practice rotation talks to your group.
The focus groups are designed to provide you with a community during their first year. Because the groups are small you will quickly get to know your fellow group members. You will also have extensive interactions with the faculty group leaders, who also serve as your first year advisors. Thus the focus groups will help you start to build a network of personal and professional relationships at UNC. Because student interests will vary from year to year and because small group size is important we expect that the exact number and identity of focus groups may not be the same from year to year.
