BUSA
Biology Undergraduate Students Association

Community Service Big Sib/Little Sib Mentoring
"Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth." proclaimed Shirley Chisholm. It is the innate sense that we all have something to give back to humanity that drives many of us to volunteer.

BUSA is proud to offer a comprehensive program designed to introduce the students to the whole spectrum of philanthropic possibilities. We have volunteered at local soup kitchens, sorted food for the Boston Food Bank, worked with the elderly in the community, taken part in community clean-ups, and coordinated with Habitat for Humanity. Any of these great causes, and the thousands of people they serve every day, need and appreciate your time and effort. See our Community Service page for information on other projects we've participated in.

BUSA's Big/Little Sib Program pairs up upperclassmen with sophomores and freshmen.

If you are wondering which class to take or which recitation instructor will be most helpful, then you will be glad to have a Big Sib. Sibs are mentors, friends, and advisors - ready to give you advice about Course 7 or a helping hand.

BUSA will be sponsoring events where you can get to know your sib once you are matched with someone. We will help you to get together and then you can choose how you will keep in touch with your sib.

Sign up here to become a Big or a Little Sib.

Howard Hughes Memorial Lecture Field Trips
Since BUSA's inception, one of our main activities has been to host the annual Howard Hughes Memorial Lecture. The day features a lunch with and a lecture by a distinguished biologist.

Next spring (2007) we look forward to hosting another distinguished speaker; more information will be forthcoming in the new year.

Previous Lecturers:

We are introducing field trips - to museums, the zoo, whale watching, and hiking - as one of our social and educational events for members.

Trips will be announced on the News/Updates page.

Movie Nights
This year we will be having some "dinner and a movie" get-togethers. Movie nights will provide a social setting where you can interact, network, and relax. We will be playing new releases and other popular works. Dates and location to be announced soon!
More Activities
BUSA also sponsors many other activities including "Meet Your Professor" Lunches; Study Breaks; Student/Faculty Mixers; IAP activities; and much more. Complete information on all our activities will be added here as soon as scheduled; please check back.
UROP Information Session
Every year BUSA organizes an information session for Course 7 majors in order to help you get started on finding a suitable UROP in a biology lab of your choice. The information session consists of a panel of biology professors, including Professor Emeritus Gene Brown and Professor Chris Kaiser, and experienced biology UROPers. The professors discuss the importance of gaining valuable research experience by working in a lab, and the upperclassmen share their experiences of working in a lab and answer questions.

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) cultivates and supports research partnerships between MIT undergraduates and faculty members.

MIT's UROP was one of the earliest programs of its kind in the United States to invite undergraduates to participate in research as the junior colleagues of faculty. Created in 1969 by the late Margaret L. A. MacVicar, Professor of Physical Science and MIT Dean for Undergraduate Education, UROP was inspired by Edwin H. Land, inventor of instant photography, who believed in the power of learning by doing.

With over 50 labs housed in the Whitehead Institute, the Koch Building, the Center for Cancer Research, and E18, the Biology Department presents its undergraduate students with unprecedented opportunities for independent research.