The Hot Metal Bridge Post-Bac Program

The Hot Metal Bridge Program (HMB) is a two-semester post-baccalaureate training program sponsored by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences to help bridge a gap between completion of an undergraduate degree and entrance into a graduate program for students from diverse backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in their program area. The Department of Biological Sciences is proud to host new HMB fellows every year to prepare them for successful admission into top-tier graduate programs in biology. 

As a Hot Metal Bridge Fellow, you will 

  • Engage in training experiences across biology subdisciplines including biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, computational and structural biology, ecology and evolution, genetics, microbiology, and science education; in a highly supportive environment
  • Work one-on-one with faculty to develop a course of study and research training customized to fit your individual needs and objectives. This may involve a combination of hands-on experience in one or more research labs, foundational coursework, professional skills development, and networking experiences
  • Regularly meet with an individualized mentoring committee that will advise and benchmark your progress through the program and assist with grad school and/or career objectives
  • Join a dynamic, diverse community of scientists at all levels, closely interacting with faculty, advisors and peers

Fellows in the HMB Program receive a stipend for living expenses, tuition and fees, and health care coverage during their tenure in the program.

For detailed information about the BioSci HMB curriculum, current and future HMB Fellows can refer to the student manual here.

The application deadline for the 2022-2023 academic year has now passed. For additional information, please visit https://www.asgraduate.pitt.edu/hot-metal-bridge-post-bac-program