The Multicultural Scholars Program is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to offer competitive scholarships to undergraduate students of diverse cultural backgrounds who are interested in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Food Science, or Human Health and Nutrition. The Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) is for student members of groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the food and agricultural sciences, or first-generation college students, who are looking for research experience, professional development, good mentoring and support, and a relevant college education that will lead to a productive career or graduate/ professional school. MSP Scholars receive tuition scholarships for up to a four-year period while earning their BRR degree. (Read more about activities of the OSU MSP Program) (Six Students receive USDA Scholarships)

(Gazette-Times) Opportunities for undergraduates to conduct research have picked up in recent years since studies have found that undergraduate research prepares students well for graduate school and employment, and stimulates problem solving skills thanks to long-term projects that often require teamwork.

Undergraduate research also gives students the opportunity to work closely with and ultimately build relationships with faculty. And because bioresource research requires students to pick one of thirteen major options that leads them to work with faculty throughout the university, each bioresource research major can work with stellar faculty and innovative research.  (Read more…)

BRR is one of the top research-based undergraduate programs in the nation.

BRR students are high achievers:

• 50% have a GPA greater or equal to 3.25.
• 13% are in the Honors College; many also complete the International Degree program.
• 100% of graduates find jobs or enter graduate/professional school within three months of graduating. (Read more..)

The interdisciplinary science major provides tremendous research opportunities for undergraduates by requiring students to complete a thesis by graduation; this gives them the chance to work with faculty mentors on unique research and ultimately write and present their findings at their thesis defense.

BRR is an interdisciplinary biosciences major centered around student research. Students take biosciences core courses, complete an option (bioscience/natural resource specialization) and do a research project of their choice with a faculty mentor.  Over 100 faculty members in seven colleges (Agricultural Science, Engineering, Forestry, Oceanography, Pharmacy, Science, and Veterinary Medicine) are currently on the mentor list and available for students to work with. This research opportunity is unmatched by any other program at OSU. BRR students are looking for more than the usual OSU education. They like to see the relevancy of their education, make a difference, and gain work experience while reaching their educational goals. (Learn more…)

History

The Bioresource Research major was conceived 20 years ago in the College of Agricultural Sciences;  Anita Azarenko and John Hays were the first developers of the major and served as co-directors.  Fast forward to today and the program is thriving under Director Kate Field, Academic Advisor Wanda Crannell and Associate Dean Cary Green.  The program is located in 137 Strand Agriculture Hall within the Academic and International Programs office.