Pew Consortium The Bio-Medical Studies Program at St. Olaf College Director of Bio-Medical Studies, Professor of Biology: Ted Johnson Associate Director for Internships, Center for Experiential Learning: Eileen Shimota

St. Olaf College St. Olaf, a four-year college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, provides an education committed to the liberal arts, rooted in the Christian gospel, and incorporating a global perspective. In the conviction that life is more than a livelihood, it focuses on what is ultimately worthwhile and fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit.

Center for Experiential Learning The mission of the CEL is to create and facilitate experiential learning that complements the St. Olaf curriculum to enrich students’ academic programs and to guide students in the process for pursuing vocational goals. Four Programs housed in the Center: *Career Connections *Internships *Entrepreneurial Studies *Service Learning & Civic Leadership

The Biomedical Studies Concentration is intended as a plan of study that will enhance students' preparation for careers including traditional areas of health care such as dentistry, human medicine, and veterinary medicine but also therapies (physical, occupational, speech, music, dance), and work in hospital administration, hospital ministry, and biomedical ethics. Students can develop their own biomedical studies concentrations by designing and implementing a plan of study suited to their career goals. Bio-Medical Studies

The Bio-Medical Studies Concentration is intended to be open to all students in any major allowing them to explore career opportunities and assist them with the vocational discernment process.

General Requirements for the Concentration Exploration of the healthcare arena Academic courses assisting in development of healthcare related interests Experiential learning activities Personal statement and/or resume, interviewing skills

Specific Requirements Career Exploration Activities through CEL Workshops Informational Interviews with Professionals in the Field Information on the Application Process Core and Elective Coursework Requirements Capstone

Senior Capstone Project Purpose of the senior capstone project is for the student to reflect on the concentration and pull-in the different aspects into an integrated topic or project. Summary of their work in the concentration Not for credit Any format is developed in concert with Bio-Medical Studies Director and the CEL

Process of Development Takes place second semester senior year Student makes a proposal Bio-Medical Studies and CEL negotiate with the student Schedule time table Project is evaluated by Bio-Medical Studies Director Must be completed or firmly planned by April 1st

Examples… Reflective autobiographical papers Pamphlets/papers used in advising future students Alumni career panels Workshops on health careers Websites, CD’s or resource files Photo-essays Portfolios

Challenges and Rewards Challenge  Time consuming process Rewards  Seeing exploration become successful  Enhance advising process in concert with advisors

Questions? For more information about the Bio-Medical Studies concentration please contact Ted Johnson – For more information about the Center for Experiential Learning please contact Eileen Shimota –