1. Reflective Essay
BIOL 3009: Introduction to Biology (Summer Bridge)
Alejandra M. De Jesús Soto
RISE Program
Last summer (2013), I had the opportunity to participate in the RISE bridge component; I
took the course BIOL 3009: Introduction to Biology. RISE is a program that can provide
research experience and skill development activities. This program is a bridge to college life.
The biology class offered a series of workshops, class activities, and laboratory experiences.
While I advance college credits, I increase my knowledge in the biology area and get experience
in a laboratory. There were many learning experiences obtained during this summer.
One of the biggest advantages of having belonged to RISE Program during summer was
to advance college credits. In addition, this allowed me to start my college life before other high
school graduate students. As I mentioned, I took the course BIOL 3095: Introduction to Biology
and its laboratory. The course was very challenging because the work that was scheduled for a
semester was made in about 6 weeks. However, it was beneficial because I focused my attention
on a single course. Itallowed me to understand the functioning of biological systems at the
cellular level. Each organelle within the cell has a distinctive role in processes such as cellular
respiration, photosynthesis... On the other hand, this bridge component gave me the opportunity
to know the campus and its facilities, professors, and talented students with whom I keep
friendship. I am sure that this experience will help me to start courses in August.
The exposition outside the classroom and the laboratory are experiences that allow
understanding the impact of biology in society. Throughout the biology course, we went to: “El
Yunque” Rainforest, Ponce School of Medicine and Guánica Dry Forest. In our fieldtrips to the

2. forests, we watched the flora and fauna that develops in each forest. Also, we identified the
adaptations of organisms that live in each forest and finally we compared dry forest and
rainforest in the presentation: Forest variations in the limits of an island. On the other hand, in
the fieldtrip to the Ponce School of Medicine I visited the research laboratories. There were
many persistent students working on different investigations. Also, I learned the opportunities
that this school offers, including research opportunities and graduate programs.Some of these
programs are the Doctoral Program (PhD) in Biomedical Sciences and the RISE Program for
PhD Students in Biomedical Sciences.Through this experience I learned about the opportunities
offered by the RISE program at universities in Puerto Rico and the United States. Learning about
educational alternatives showed me awhole world of opportunities and possibilities.
This course gave me the opportunity to do my first research proposal: Illegal dumps in
urban and rural areas. For this, we took a workshop about the correct way to search information
in databases.This is a very useful tool that allows doing reports, research and other tasks.I
developed this skill while doing the proposal. We also took a seminar in which I created my eportfolio. This is in order to document my experience as a student of the RISE Program. On the
other hand, in a conference offered by Dr. EneidaDíaz Pérez we learned about the transition from
high school to college and about study habits.
Definitely, the summer course is a bridge to college life. This program provides us
research experiences and offered activities to develop skills. It also gave us the opportunity to
investigate both in the laboratory and outside. Studying at the university during the summer
allowed me to become familiar with it and their facilities. Field trips, workshops and perform a
research proposal are enriching experiences in my student life.