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ACADEMIC PROGRAMSAbout this Program
The American Chemical Society Post-Baccalaureate Bridge Program (ACS-BP) is a credentialed post-baccalaureate bridge experience aimed at students from underrepresented/minoritized (URM) groups* in STEM. Our ACS-BP is part of the nationwide ACS Bridge Project, which integrates culturally responsive practices into the program curriculum. Aligned with the national standard, the ACS-BP at MSU Denver provides an alternative pathway to graduate programs in the chemical and/or biochemical sciences for URM students. Our goal is to create a space where students can fully engage, relax into their STEM identity, focus, and thrive while getting high-quality, rigorous preparation for graduate programs in the Chemical and/or Biochemical Sciences.
*While this program is specifically designed for students from URM groups in STEM, we recognize that there are many ways that people can be systemically affected in today’s society. Therefore, any student who believes they meet the qualifications and/or identifies as an individual who has experienced circumstantial disadvantages is encouraged to apply.
Program Benefits
Graduate Admissions decisions rely heavily on a student’s upper-division electives, hands-on teaching experience, immersive research experiences, and scientific literacy skills. The ACS-BP provides depth and breadth of opportunity for students in each of those critical areas while introducing students to the graduate school experience.
- Coursework and curriculum are designed specifically with graduate admissions in mind
- Specific courses directly transfer toward graduate programs at our partner institutions
- Three tiers of comprehensive mentorship for each student
- Many research projects to choose from at MSU Denver and our partner institutions
- Formal and informal networking opportunities integrated into coursework
- Collaborative research interactions with the broader scientific community and URM-centered STEM communities.
- Tuition paid by MSU Denver
- Annual Salary Stipend of $45,000/year
- $90/week Housing Stipend and low-cost off-campus housing community
- Free SHIP health insurance through Auraria Health Center
- Free ECO Pass for Denver Metro Public Transportation
Overview of Course Curriculum
Our ACS-BP students gain invaluable experience and insight through a combination of coursework and hands-on mentored research with a principal investigator at a partnering graduate institution. Throughout the program, students create and iteratively refine a poster and an oral presentation on their research project. Regular presentations of student work are scheduled at MSU Denver and partnering institutions. The ACS-BP culminates in a capstone project wherein the students prepare a thesis or publication-quality document on their research and present their final poster and oral presentation to a panel of program mentors.
Program Credit Distribution
| Program Credit Category | Abbreviation | Credit Hours/Course | Credit Hour Requirement |
| Internship I/II: T1 Mentor | INT-T1 | 0.5 | 3 |
| Effective College Teaching in Chemistry: T2 Mentor | ECTC-T2 | 0.5 | 1 |
| Graduate School and Research Support Coursework | GSRS | 0.5-1 | 3.5 |
| Research Rotations | RR | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Immersive Research Internship: T3 Mentor | IRI-T2 | 0.5-2 | 5 |
| ACS-BP Capstone | CAP | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Advanced Undergraduate Coursework* | ADV | 2-4 | 6 |
Total Program Credits: 19.5
Year One
Detailed Coursework for Year One
| First Semester Core Coursework | Credit Hours | Credit Category |
| CHE 4970 – Internship I: T1 Mentor | 0.5 | INT-T1 |
| CHE 4972 – Navigating Graduate School | 0.5 | GSRS |
| CHE 4971 – Effective College Teaching in Chemistry I | 0.5 | ECTC-T2 |
| CHE 0010 – Effective College Teaching in Chemistry I: T2 Mentor | (Co-req) | ECTC-T2 |
| First Semester Elective Coursework1 | Credit Hours | Credit Category |
| Advanced UG Coursework (3000 level or above) | 0-6 | ADV |
| AND CHE 4974 – Ethical Practices in Scientific Work | 0-0.5 | GSRS |
| OR CHE 4975 – Data Handling in Scientific Work | 0-0.5 | GSRS |
Notes:
- CHE 4974 – Ethical Practices in Scientific Work, CHE 4975 – Data Handling in Scientific Work, and All Advanced UG Coursework, must be completed within the first two semesters in the program.
| Second Semester Core Coursework | Credit Hours | Credit Category |
| CHE 4970 – Internship I: T1 Mentor | 0.5 | INT-T1 |
| CHE 4972 – Navigating Graduate School | 0.5 | GSRS |
| CHE 4973 – Advanced Science Communication I | 1 | GSRS |
| CHE 4976 – Effective College Teaching in Chemistry II | 0.5 | ECTC-T2 |
| CHE 0020 – Effective College Teaching in Chemistry II: T2 Mentor | (Co-req) | ECTC-T2 |
| CHE 4977 – Research Rotations (First 8 weeks) | 0.5 | RR |
| CHE 4979 – Research Internship I: T3 Mentor (Last 5 weeks) | 0.5 | IRI-T3 |
| Second Semester Elective Coursework1 | Credit Hours | Credit Category |
| Same as first semester | 0-6.5 | ADV, GSRS |
Notes:
- CHE 4974 – Ethical Practices in Scientific Work, CHE 4975 – Data Handling in Scientific Work, and All Advanced UG Coursework, must be completed within the first two semesters in the program.
| First Summer Core Coursework | Credit Hours | Credit Category |
| CHE 4970 – Internship I: T1 Mentor | 0.5 | INT-T1 |
| CHE 4983 – Research Internship Ia: T3 Mentor2 | 0.5 | IRI-T3 |
Notes:
- 2. To remain in good standing, students are expected to work 36-40 hrs/week during the Immersive Research Internship portion of the program.
Year Two
Detailed Coursework for Year Two
| Third Semester Core Coursework | Credit Hours | Credit Category |
| CHE 4978 – Internship II: T1 Mentor | 0.5 | INT-T1 |
| CHE 4985 – Research Internship II: T3 Mentor1 | 1 | IRI-T3 |
Notes:
- To remain in good standing, students are expected to work 36-40 hrs/week during the Immersive Research Internship portion of the program.
| Fourth Semester Core Coursework | Credit Hours | Credit Category |
| CHE 4978 – Internship II: T1 Mentor | 0.5 | INT-T1 |
| CHE 4984 – Advanced Science Communication II | 0.5 | GSRS |
| CHE 4985 – Research Internship II: T3 Mentor1 | 1 | IRI-T3 |
Notes:
- To remain in good standing, students are expected to work 36-40 hrs/week during the Immersive Research Internship portion of the program.
| Second Summer Core Coursework | Credit Hours | Credit Category |
| CHE 4978 – Internship II: T1 Mentor | 0.5 | INT-T1 |
| CHE 4998 – ACS-BP Research Capstone2 | 0.5 | CAP |
Notes:
- 2. Note 1 applies in Summer 2 as you will be working with your T1 and T3 mentors for the ACS-BP capstone project.
Apply to the Program by April 15th
Find important dates and deadlines and eligibility requirements and learn how to apply to the program.
ACS-BP Application InformationMore Ways to Explore the Program
Post Baccalaureate Bridge Program Homepage
MSU Denver Post Baccalaureate Bridge Program Homepage
ING-BP: Bridge to Employment School Program
ING-BP: Bridge to Employment School Program
Available Projects at Partner Institutions
Available Projects at Partner Institutions
About Us
About Us
Why Choose MSU Denver
Transfer Student Leader
MSU Denver is the #1 school for transfer students in the state of Colorado. We've been on the Phi Theta Kappa's Transfer Honor Roll for 7 consecutive years.
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Diversity Matters
MSU Denver is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion and has been named one of the Top Colleges for Diversity by Insight Into Diversity for 9 consecutive years.
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Contact UsEmail: [email protected]
Office Location:
Main Office: Science Building Room 3062 (SI 3062)
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:30am-4:30pm
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Campus Box 52
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362