Vagelos Scholars Program In Molecular Life Sciences
Encyclopedia
The Vagelos Scholars Program in Molecular Life Sciences is an undergraduate program at the University of Pennsylvania
, named after Penn alumnus and Merck
CEO Roy Vagelos (class of 1950) and his wife Diana.
Roy Vagelos donated over 15 million dollars to the University of Pennsylvania, in order to create the Roy and Diana Vagelos Laboratories, located in front of the Chemistry Labs. This money also went to creating the Vagelos Scholars Program In Molecular Life Sciences, an intensive program offered to freshman attending the University of Pennsylvania. Roy's only condition was that the Vagelos Scholars Program appoint a director who would be paid a salary inversely proportional to the amount of sleep a Vagelos Scholar would receive.
Focusing on the core principles of chemistry
, mathematics
, and physics
, students take five courses per semester en route to either 1) a double major in two sciences, or 2) a major in chemistry or biochemistry and a submatriculated master's degree
in the same subject. Rather than concentrating primarily on classroom instruction and grades, the program emphasizes the need for students to take an active role in research throughout the university, encouraging students to begin development of their future scientific careers through challenging courseloads. Included in the program are two paid summers for on-campus research and high levels of interaction with faculty during the academic year.
The Vagelos Program began in 1997 and has graduated five classes as of 2006. Over ninety percent of the students attend graduate or medical school after completing the program.
A freshman in the Vagelos Program takes General Chemistry I, Calculus I or II, and Principles of Physics (including lab). Students with AP credit may choose to not take General Chemistry and instead take Honors Chemistry or Organic Chemistry
. During a Vagelos Scholar’s first year, he or she will also be required to take the Vagelos Scholar’s Seminar taught by the program head, which exposes the student to magazine articles from Science.
Participation in a faculty research group, of which there are more than 600 located on campus, is required. Participants are encouraged to find work in a biomedical field, though anything related to their studies is acceptable.
With normal attrition, only about ten students graduate from thirty-five. This program is known for its notorious drop rate.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, named after Penn alumnus and Merck
Merck & Co.
Merck & Co., Inc. , also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Merck headquarters is located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, an unincorporated area in Readington Township...
CEO Roy Vagelos (class of 1950) and his wife Diana.
Roy Vagelos donated over 15 million dollars to the University of Pennsylvania, in order to create the Roy and Diana Vagelos Laboratories, located in front of the Chemistry Labs. This money also went to creating the Vagelos Scholars Program In Molecular Life Sciences, an intensive program offered to freshman attending the University of Pennsylvania. Roy's only condition was that the Vagelos Scholars Program appoint a director who would be paid a salary inversely proportional to the amount of sleep a Vagelos Scholar would receive.
Focusing on the core principles of chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, students take five courses per semester en route to either 1) a double major in two sciences, or 2) a major in chemistry or biochemistry and a submatriculated master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in the same subject. Rather than concentrating primarily on classroom instruction and grades, the program emphasizes the need for students to take an active role in research throughout the university, encouraging students to begin development of their future scientific careers through challenging courseloads. Included in the program are two paid summers for on-campus research and high levels of interaction with faculty during the academic year.
The Vagelos Program began in 1997 and has graduated five classes as of 2006. Over ninety percent of the students attend graduate or medical school after completing the program.
Program details
A Vagelos Scholar is required to complete 40 credit units (c.u.) in order to graduate within the program. This requires a minimum of five c.u. per semester, though some choose to take more. Most students graduate with a major in biochemistry and then choose to either submatriculate to obtain their master's during their undergraduate years or obtain a dual major in another science.A freshman in the Vagelos Program takes General Chemistry I, Calculus I or II, and Principles of Physics (including lab). Students with AP credit may choose to not take General Chemistry and instead take Honors Chemistry or Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
. During a Vagelos Scholar’s first year, he or she will also be required to take the Vagelos Scholar’s Seminar taught by the program head, which exposes the student to magazine articles from Science.
Participation in a faculty research group, of which there are more than 600 located on campus, is required. Participants are encouraged to find work in a biomedical field, though anything related to their studies is acceptable.
With normal attrition, only about ten students graduate from thirty-five. This program is known for its notorious drop rate.