Table 6.
Evaluation of workshops and research experience by students and faculty (from online surveys)
| Expression of Student Satisfaction |
| “I really liked the independence that the program gives us, allowing us to create our own schedules to complete projects.“ |
| “Entering the program, I knew very little about cells or polymer science. Entering this fall semester in Bioengineering, I feel much more comfortable with both my laboratory techniques and my ability to think critically in an intense situation.“ |
| “My research was a very well thought-out project with lots of hands on and troubleshooting time. It was a great introduction to bioengineering without being overwhelmingly biology and chemistry oriented.“ |
| “[The workshops] were informative and it was nice to have them all at the beginning of the summer before we were really busy with experiments etc.“ |
| “BBSI program enabled me to compare working as a researcher vs. going to med school to be a doctor although I'm still undecided about which one to choose.“ |
| “This research experience helped me understand what it is like to work with an advisor to reach a experimental goal. I learned that research isn't just about doing lab work but also reading literatures and fixing obstacles on the way. This experience also opened my eyes to other bioengineering aspects and fields that is being worked on today.“ |
| Expression of Student Dissatisfaction |
| “While the increased independence was good, my experience was almost a little too independent. I would have liked more interaction with my advisor/professor, whom I only saw occasionally. This would have given my project a bit more focus. Nevertheless, I learned a great deal at BBSI and would definitely do it again if given the chance.“ |
| “I will probably not do research in basic research, but I do want to work in applied research positions. This summer helped me to figure out that basic research was not a bad place to work, but it just is not what I want. I will continue in Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering.“ |
| “The professors' presentations weren't always understandable, but most students' presentations were good.“ |
| “I understood parts of about 80% of the seminars. Some of them were heavily concentrated in Biology that I haven't yet explored.“ |
| Statements of Faculty Satisfaction |
| “I liked that the workshops were at the beginning of the summer. It helped the students use their time more productively, since their projects may be ill-defined early on. It also helped them think about ways to integrate the workshop material into the research.“ |
| “The BBSI Students are by far the best undergraduate student I have had in my lab“ |
| “I like how the BBSI students seem to be a well-integrated group. They eat together, play together, and talk about research together as if they enjoy it.“ |
| Statements of Faculty Dissatisfaction |
| “The BBSI seminars and workshops take the students out of the lab quite a bit, although I must admit that when in the lab, they do not waste time and they work hard and are very motivated.“ |
| “It is a lot of work to take on a BBSI student because of the mentoring responsibilities.“ |