Creating Connections in the Biological Sciences
The biological sciences are spread all across campus, and it’s not always easy to connect with the people and opportunities that can make a difference in your education. The BioCommons offers a gathering space on the lower level of Steenbock Library and a collection of online resources at biology.wisc.edu that help make it easier to navigate and find your place in the bio-landscape. It's kind of like a Bio GPS...except smarter, and with actual people (and there are plants on the walls and fish, so it's a nice place to hang out).
You can find:
- events that get you involved beyond the classroom, exploring careers, and connecting with peers
- peer leaders who've been there and can give you the real story
- advising and other services (without having to make multiple trips across campus)
- information about opportunities and tips for taking advantage of them
It's a place to go when you're not sure where to start.
A Cross-Campus Collaboration
The BioCommons is a collaboration initiated by WISCIENCE and Steenbock Library, with initial funding provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Units across campus that serve students in the biological sciences can:
- bring services and events to a central location with which students are already familiar
- connect with colleagues and form networks for exchange of information, coordination of efforts, and collaborative solutions
- take advantage of publicity support, a student newsletter, a website, and literature displays
If you want to connect with bioscience students, the BioCommons is for you. You just might find something to make your job a little easier.