University of the Virgin Islands

Science and Mathematics Division

Welcome to the University of the Virgin Islands Science and Math Division Web Site.

Introduction

The UVI Science and Mathematics Division offers both Bachelors of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees: the B.S. programs are strongly concentrated in the sciences, while the B.A. programs offer a broader liberal arts emphasis. A degree of Associate of Science (A.S.) can be awarded to students who have completed a specified course work. Fields of study are: computer science, physics, mathematics, chemistry, marine biology and biology. This Division also offers a pre-medical technology program to prepare students who will later seek admission to a medical school and a pre-engineering program, referred to as applied mathematics, to prepare students who will later seek admission to a school of engineering. In 2002, The Division of Science and Mathematics, in collaboration with HOVENSA Refinery, has established a two-year Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Process Technology. A vast variety of instructional classes and research internships are offered at both St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses.

Approximately half of the graduates of the UVI Science and Mathematics Division are accepted into graduate and medical schools - including Yale, Cornell, Brown, MIT, Georgia Tech, Purdue University, Howard University, Penn State, Michigan, Boston University, University of Mississippi and others. A significant number of alumni have received full scholarships to pursue advanced degrees in medicine, biochemistry, molecular biology, marine biology, mathematics, and other related fields.

Emerging Caribbean Scientists Program Offers Scholarships, Financial Support to UVI Students

UVI's Emerging Caribbean Scientists (ECS) program is offering a variety of scholarships and financial support for students enrolled in science and mathematics programs scheduled for the summer and fall of 2007 and the spring of 2008. More than $240,000 is available as direct support to UVI students majoring in the areas of physics, computer science, process technology, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and psychology. Read more about program at http://www.uvi.edu/pub-relations/pressRelease/rel06074.html and http://ecs.uvi.edu.

Scholarships for Three-day Visit to the University of the Virgin Islands' new Master of Science Program

The University of the Virgin Islands recently launched a new Master of Marine & Environmental Science degree program. You can learn more about the program on our website: http://mmes.uvi.edu/index.html. We will hold a three-day organized campus visit on October 11-14, 2007 to introduce the program to potential students, which will include tours of our St. Thomas facilities and an overnight trip to the Virgin Islands Environmental Research Station in St. John. All are welcome to apply to participate. Additionally, ten to twenty full scholarships for the visit will be available for students or natural resource professionals who wish to continue their education and who reside in CARICOM member countries or are USVI residents and who meet eligibility criteria. For more information, please visit our website: http://mmes.uvi.edu/re/index.html. The deadline for applications is August 24, 2007,

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Degree Programs
Special Programs, Research Programs, and Research Symposiums
Health Careers Opportunity Programs and the Pre-Health Profession Advising
Boston University Early Medical School Selection Program
UVI Science and Math Facilities

The Center for Marine & Environmental Studies
About the UVI Faculty
Admission Information
History of the University of the Virgin Islands

Main Office Locations

Main Office, STT campus

Classroom Administration Building, 3^rd Floor, Room CA-317
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Phone: (340) 693-1230
Fax: (340) 693-1245

Main Office, STX campus

Melvin Evans Center, Room MEC-508A
St. Croix, VI 00850
Phone: (340) 692-4157
Fax: (340) 692-4115

Division of Science and Math Newsletter and Other Information
newsletter - THE BEAKER - newsletter

Division of Science and Math Clubs

Pre-Professional Science Club

Degree Programs

The Division of Science and Mathematics offers the following degree programs. Descriptions of the each degree program can be viewed by clicking on the name of the degree title below. A pdf file download of UVI’s 2006–2007 Catalog with up-to-date information on all the degree programs can be found at this web link, Current Catalog. For more information about the UVI Science and Math Division, please call St. Thomas campus main office at (340) 693-1230.

	Undergraduate Programs
Bachelor of Arts:	Bachelor of Science:	Associate of Science:

Biology	Biology	Physics
Marine Biology Marine Biology at UVI	Marine Biology Marine Biology at UVI	Computer Science
Mathematics	Applied Mathematics	Associate in Applies Science:
Chemistry	Chemistry	Process Technology
	Computer Science
	Graduate Program
	Master of Science:
	Master of Marine and Environmental Science

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Special Programs, Research Programs, and Research Symposiums

Undergraduate Research is an important at UVI. The Division of Science and Mathematics has developed partnerships with these national organizations, the National Science Foundation (NSF), Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program, the Minority Biomedical Research Support-Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement program (MBRS-RISE) and the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) program. Several research initiatives have been funded by grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). At UVI Science and Mathematics Division, student research with faculty is encouraged through several different programs, such as the Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology programs (SMET Scholarship Application) and Emerging Caribbean Scientist Program. The mission of the Emerging Caribbean Scientist program is to increase research training and promote excellence for students at the University of the Virgin Islands; information about opportunities and scholarships for UVI undergraduate students is available at its website. These programs, as well as others, provide research training, scientific equipment, materials and supplies, financial assistance, and travel funds for participating students, and, also, sponsor visits to UVI by eminent scientists. An Undergraduate Research Symposium (ECS-URS) is sponsored yearly by the Emerging Caribbean Scientists program of the Division of Science and Mathematics. Click on link for the latest news on RISE-MARC. Click on link for the latest news on NIH GRANTS. Click on following links for news on NSF (January 2004) & NSF (July 2005).

Three UVI students have been selected as the presenters of the top three posters in UVI's Fall 2006 Undergraduate Research Symposium held on Sept. 24, 2006. Click for the more news about DSM students, UVI Senior garners Top Award at 2005 Prestigious Biomedical Research Conference and another UVI Senior wins Award at 2006 National Research Conference. Also, UVI Student wins prize at 2005 Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund Leadership Institute.

Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR)

The Virgin Islands EPSCoR (VI-EPSCoR) is a partnership between the National Science Foundation and the higher education, government, and business communities of the U. S. Virgin Islands to promote the development of the Territory’s science and technology resources through targeted research, education, and outreach activities. EPSCoR stands for Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). EPSCoR, a program of the National Science Foundation, is designed to increase research and education capacity in science and engineering within a state or territory of the United States that has traditionally been under funded in these areas. The overarching idea is that individuals with training in the areas of science, math, and technology are better able to have a positive impact on a region’s management and development. Click on links for the latest news on VI-EPSCoR (June 2005) and VI-EPSCoR (June 2004).

The Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR) Annual Conference was held on Sept. 23, 2006 at Marriott Frenchman's Reef Hotel and on Sept. 24, 2006 at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center, both on St. Thomas. The topics of discussion included: managing our islands’ coral reef resources, exploring life on Caribbean coral reefs and predicting local weather and water conditions. Poster exhibitions created by student researchers from local schools and UVI were on display. Individuals and local organizations involved in marine-related activities and industries described their careers and organizations to young people visiting the exhibition.

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Health Careers Opportunity Programs and the Pre-Health Profession Advising

The schedule for special workshops and courses funded by DSM designed to enhance students' success in biomedical careers can be found at the Pre-Health Profession (PHP) website. The purpose of this site is to provide a resource for UVI students who are considering a career in the health professions. Click for the latest news on classes being offered, short course. Click on links for the latest news on student’s achievements, article 1 and article 2. Other information can be found the Health Careers Opportunity Programs (HCOP) web page.

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Boston University Early Medical School Selection Program

BU’s Early Medical School Selection Program (EMSSP) is designed to provide an early and decompressed transition into the medical school curriculum through provisional acceptance into medical school at the completion of two years of undergraduate study. Students accepted into this program at the end of their sophomore year at UVI are given provisional acceptance into Boston University Medical School. They spend two summers and their senior year there, simultaneously fulfilling their requirements for a B.S. degree in biology from UVI and taking first year medical courses. UVI is one of only 10 undergraduate colleges selected by the Boston University Medical School to participate in the program; participating colleges are chosen on basis of the strengths of their science programs, research training, and faculty. Click on link for the latest news on students selected for the Early Medical School Selection Program.

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UVI Science Facilities

Facilities include biology, chemistry, and computer science laboratories on both campuses. There is also an advance physiology lab for anatomical studies. Recently, the University of the Virgin Islands and HOVENSA Refinery signed a memorandum of understanding to establish an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree sharing facilities and faculty drawn from among HOVENSA's employees and from Division of Science and Mathematics. The program bestowed its first set of A.A.S. degrees to graduating students during the Spring 2004 UVI Commencement exercises. Click on link for the latest news on Process Technology. VWNA Caribbean offers two UVI scholarships in process technology.

The Division's equipment includes: (1) atomic absorption, infrared, and ultraviolet spectrometers, (2) high speed centrifuges, (3) gas chromatograph, (4) 60 mHz NMR, (5) high powered liquid chromatography unit, (6) wireless notebook computer lab, (7) digital microscopes, (8) electrophysiological equipment, (9) – 80^oC refrigerator, (9) DNA electrophoresis apparatuses, and (10) PCR-electrophoresis device. August 2002 saw the completion of the construction on a state-of-the-art cellular-molecular research laboratory. The Physics’ coordinator has set up a site, WebPhysics, which is devoted to teaching and learning physics with World Wide Web technology. There are opportunities for students and faculty to joined National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists aboard their research vessels to use their equipment. Click on link for the latest news on Division’s facilities.

In general, UVI emphasizes the use of technology in instruction. A campus-wide information system connects UVI computer systems to databases and advanced computational support in the region and the world through the Internet. There is a Title III sponsored project called Asynchronous Distance Learning (ADL), which will enable students in other countries in different time zones or on independent schedules to take UVI courses via the Internet. Distance learning is also completed using video conferencing facilities located on the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix. The development of information technology and e-commerce center is works to attach high-tech companies to the Virgin Islands. Click on link for the latest news on UVI Research and Technology Park. UVI Research & Technology Park’s Executive Director hired.

GO TO DSM LABORATORY INFORMATION

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The Center for Marine & Environmental Studies

The Center for Marine & Environmental Studies (CMES) is within the Research and Public Service component at the University of the Virgin Islands and it was created in 1999 to bring together marine related disciplines within the University of the Virgin Islands. CMES is composed of the MacLean Marine Science Center (MMSC), the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS) and the Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (VIERS). The MacLean Marine Science Center, located on Brewer's Bay on the St. Thomas campus, features modern scientific instrumentation, wet lab, dock, and research boats. This research facility offers diving instruction with the latest SCUBA equipment. On November 3^rd, 2006, the University of the Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (VIERS) celebrated its 40th anniversary on the VIERS campus in Lameshur Bay, St, John, VI. The 33rd Scientific Conference of the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean will be session on UVI's St. Thomas campus from June 4 through 8, 2007; UVI's Public Relations Office’s news release about the conference is listed at http://www.uvi.edu/pub-relations/pressRelease/rel06179.html. Learn more about MacLean Marine Science Center and the Marine Biology degree at this web site (MMSC). Click on links for the latest news on Marine Science Center’s facilities: article 1, article 2, article 3, article 4, article 5, and article 6. Click for the latest news on VIERS facilities: article 1.

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The Master of Marine and Environmental Science

The Master of Marine and Environmental Science (MMES) degree provides students with the training and skills necessary for planning, conducting, and evaluating research in marine and environmental science. Additionally, students explore how to utilize research to manage natural resources, with a particular focus on the issues and challenges related to natural resource management in the Caribbean region. The program draws upon the expertise of faculty within several units of UVI, in particular the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies and the Division of Science and Mathematics. Further, it is a bridge between academia and natural resource management sectors within the US Virgin Islands, the greater Caribbean, and beyond. Students complete a minimum of 36 graduate credit hours to earn the MMES degree. Complete applications for this program must be postmarked by February 15th of every year.

About the UVI Faculty

The University of the Virgin Islands maintains high academic standards through a faculty dedicated to excellence in higher education - committed to the University and its students. The UVI teaching faculty is comprised of over 100 highly qualified full-time members, about 70 percent of who hold doctoral degrees in their disciplines. Faculty members represent diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and come from the United States, throughout the Caribbean, and from several countries around the world. The faculty of UVI Science and Mathematics Division is highly dedicated group of individuals very active in teaching and in research. Click on links for the latest news on one of this Division’s faculty member and tenure granted to four DSM’s faculty members.

Contact Listing DSM Faculty & Staff

GO TO AID TO THE DSM LAB INSTRUCTOR

GO TO THE AID TO THE DSM CHEMISTRY STUDENT

GO TO THE AID TO THE DSM BIOLOGY STUDENT

GO TO AID TO THE DSM PHYSICS STUDENT “WebPhysics”

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Candidate for Undergraduate Admission

A candidate for admission to the University of the Virgin Islands must have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED). The minimum acceptable high school grade point average is 2.0, on a 4.0 scale. All applicants must submit scores of either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing (ACT) examination. Transfer applicants must be in good academic standing and social standing and have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 at previously attended institutions. In addition, the Virgin Islands Legislature, by Act No. 5358 has provided that certain senior citizen residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands may enroll in regularly scheduled courses at the University of the Virgin Islands free of charge to the student.

To apply for application you must submit:

A completed and signed application form $25 non-refundable application fee (check/money order should be made out to "University of the Virgin Islands," SAT and/or ACT scores, official high school transcript(s) and/or college transcript(s), and two (2) letters of recommendation. All documents must be received in the Admissions Office by April 30 for the Fall semester and October 30 for the Spring semester. International students are urged to apply 4-6 weeks in advance of stated deadlines in order to facilitate timely Admissions and U.S. Dept. of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) processing. The UVI Office of Admissions/Academic Services will notify you in writing as soon as a decision is made.

For application form and more information contact:

Internet:

University of the Virgin Islands Admission Office

St. Thomas Campus:

Director of Admissions
University of the Virgin Islands
No. 2 John Brewer's Bay
St. Thomas, VI 00802-9990
(340) 693-1150

St. Croix Campus:

Academic Services
University of the Virgin Islands
RR02, Box 10,000 Kingshill
St. Croix, VI 00850
(340) 692-4158

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History of the University of the Virgin Islands

HISTORICALLY AMERICAN.
UNIQUELY CARIBBEAN.
GLOBALLY INTERACTIVE.

The University of the Virgin Islands lies in the heart of one of the most beautiful - and fastest developing - areas of the world: The Caribbean. Looking toward the new century, its mission is to provide a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary educational experience that will not only add value to individual lives, but producing leaders who will find international solutions to regional issues.

The University of the Virgin Islands was chartered in 1962 as the College of the Virgin Islands, a publicly funded, coeducational, liberal arts college. Today, UVI has two campuses, one on the island of St. Thomas and the other on the island of St. Croix. Its first campus was established in 1964. The University began by offering AA degrees, but in 1967 added four-year BA programs in liberal arts and education. Presently, UVI has progressed to offer a Master of Arts Degree in Education, a Master of Business Administration Degree and a Master of Public Administration Degree on both the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses.

The University became a land-grant college in 1972. In 1986, the College of the Virgin Islands officially changed its name to the University of the Virgin Islands, to reflect the growth and diversification of its academic curricula and community and research programs. That same year, Congress named UVI one of the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It is the only one of the117 HBCUs outside the continental United States, and the only one to offer an undergraduate degree in marine biology.

The University of the Virgin Islands is connected to the world by campus wide information system linked to the Internet and World Wide Web. UVI is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and its nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Currently, UVI enrolls approximately 3,000 full - and part-time students, at both undergraduates and graduate levels, on both campuses, and has about 5,000 alumni. Recently, in order to help students rapidly progress toward the acquisition of a University degree, UVI has scheduled two summer sessions during the summer of 2005. During the double summer sessions, UVI intends to offer teacher certification courses, a police science course, business communication and graduate M.A. education courses that are typically in demand during the summer. In June 2005, the University of the Virgin Islands has been notified that it will receive a grant of $1.7 million from the U.S. Department of Education for fiscal year 2005-2006. The grant is coming from the department's Title III, Part B program which is designed to help strengthen the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The University of the Virgin Islands had been selected as the Tom Joyner Foundation (TJF) School of the Month for May 2006. During that month, the nationally syndicated "Tom Joyner Morning Show" highlighted UVI's accomplishments and encourage the show's more than eight million listeners to make donations to the University. Most of the donations went toward student scholarships.

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If you have any questions about this site,

contact Ms. Ann Marie Dublin (adublin@uvi.edu) or Ms. Paulette Stevens (psteven@uvi.edu).

For information about the University of the Virgin Islands, go to
UVI HOME PAGE

Web Site Designed by Ann Marie Dublin and Eugenia Somersall-Sello

Last modified: July 27, 2007