Gateway Scholars
The Gateway Scholars Program for STEM supports first generation and students of color through the introductory courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, psychology and neuroscience that form the foundation for most STEM majors at Boston College. Gateway allows students to persevere within the STEM majors, explore various careers and paths, and develop a sense of community and belonging at BC.
At a Glance
Students in the Gateway Scholars Program are connected to a faculty advisor in a STEM Department and enrolled in science classes that facilitate one-on-one interactions with science faculty and teaching assistants.
The program is designed to provide academic support as well as specific activities to build a vibrant community of students who collectively work together on common STEM goals throughout the entire four years at BC.
We prepare students to take the next step toward their academic and professional development by exploring their unique course sequencing and Gateway programming.
The Gateway Scholars Program for STEM provides students with several Gateway-specific Academic Pathways for foundational courses in Biology and Chemistry with discussion groups that facilitate one-on-one interaction with science faculty and teaching assistants. Students are connected to a science faculty advisor for advising seminars. Dedicated Biology and Chemistry faculty are identified to offer consistency in academic advising and guidance. A strong peer mentoring program among Gateway students allows for additional support within the program and fosters a sense of community.
Below are the three academic pathways that students select in order to navigate the STEM course offerings. The pathway is determined with an academic advisor and based on high school coursework and individual student needs.
Easing into things
| Semester | Freshman | Sophomore | Junior | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | General Biology Year-Long Calc | Gen Chem 1 Bio Lab Ecology & Evolution | Systems Elective Biology Elective Organic Chem 1 | Advanced Exp. Biology Elective Physics 1 |
| Spring | Molecules & Cells Fundamentals of Chemistry Year-Long Calc | Gen Chem 2 Calc 2 Genes | Biology Elective Organic Chem 2 | Biology Elective Physics 2 |
Mid-pace
| Semester | Freshman | Sophomore | Junior | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Gen Chem 1 Calc 1 (or 2) | Organic Chem 1 Bio Lab Ecology & Evolution | Physics 1 Systems Elective | Advanced Exp. Biology Elective |
| Spring | Gen Chem 2 Molecules & Cells | Organic Chem 2 Genes | Physics 2 Biology Elective | Biology Elective Biology Elective |
Full throttle!
| Semester | Freshman | Sophomore | Junior | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Gen Chem 1 Calc 1 (or 2) Ecology & Evolution | Organic Chem 1 Bio Lab | Physics 1 Systems Elective | Advanced Exp. Biology Elective |
| Spring | Gen Chem 2 Calc 2 (if needed) Molecules & Cells | Organic Chem 2 Genes | Physics 2 Biology Elective | Biology Elective Biology Elective |
The Biology department at Boston College offers undergraduates the opportunity to fully participate in research activities through Advanced Lab Courses, research in a faculty lab, or off-campus research. Gateway students have the additional advantage of having access to the following:
- One week intensive boot camp for lab research between the fall and spring semester
- Gateway-specific advanced lab courses
- Advising and assistance in finding and securing research opportunities
In line with Boston College’s mission of educating the whole person and not just their scholastic endeavors, the Gateway Scholars program offers a variety of professional development opportunities designed to enhance your education and prepare you for life past graduation. These events include:
- Resume workshops
- Career exploration panels
- Professional networking events
- Graduation receptions
The classes for the Gateway Program and the regular course of study are identical. Both the biology and chemistry courses have the same syllabi and the same course content as the regular classes. However, Gateway students will be in a General Chemistry class with an enrollment of 30-35 students as opposed to the regular chemistry classes which have close to 200 students. The small class size will allow for better interaction with the instructor and give the students more opportunities to ask questions and seek help if needed. In addition, the Gateway students will take Gateway discussion sections for both of the biology and chemistry classes; the discussions carry one credit each and include graded homework that is designed to improve class performance. Students in the regular program do not have a biology discussion, and their discussion for chemistry does not carry an academic credit.
Yes. As with all biology and chemistry classes, the population of students will have a mix of high school backgrounds. Most students with AP biology or chemistry begin their freshman year with Molecules and Cells and General Chemistry. Exceptionally strong students may use the AP option for biology and by-pass Molecules and Cell, going directly into Cell Biology (a sophomore level course). Students choosing to accelerate their progression through the major cannot be part of the Gateway Program. This decision should be made in consultation with the academic advisor at orientation.
Participants in the Gateway Scholars Program must enroll in both biology and chemistry. The program is designed for students with a serious interest as either a Biology or Biochemistry major. There are a number of possible courses to “try out” a major course of study. You should talk this over with your advisor during orientation.
Of course not. Students can leave the program at any time. Students often change their major and rethink their long-term goals. This is perfectly normal. Our hope, however, is that students with a strong interest in science will feel supported in their classes and have sufficient connection to the science faculty to continue with this course of study, if this is their desire.
No. Calculus needs to be taken before calculus-based physics, which is usually taken in the junior year (for biology and biochemistry majors). Calculus can also be taken during the summer.
Possibly. But, if your background is not strong, and you feel academically weak in science, there may be better ways to find a path to and through the sciences besides jumping into majors-level biology and chemistry classes. On the other hand, the support provided with this program may be sufficient to overcome perceived deficiencies. You should talk this over with an advisor in the Biology or Chemistry Department during summer registration.
During orientation, eligible students will meet with the Gateway advisors, learn about the program and fill out an application. Students will be notified of the decision prior to the beginning of the Fall semester.