FOCUS, which stands for “Focusing on Cultivating Scientists,” is for students interested in science and is designed for promoting diversity in the sciences. FOCUS supports students through their entry into the study of science & math at Carleton — and as they continue in the curriculum — by creating a cohort that enrolls in classes together, meets regularly in a colloquium throughout the first two years, and has an opportunity for work-study in the sciences. Cohort activities continue throughout a student’s four years at Carleton.

There are two opportunities to join FOCUS in the 2022-2023 academic year: in the fall through the FOCUS Course, and in the winter, based on applications that will be invited during Fall term.

Applying for the Program

Students apply for FOCUS membership the summer before their first year. Every Fall, a science or math-based Argument and Inquiry class (first-year required course) is designated specifically for the incoming FOCUS cohort: for 2023-2024 this course is CS 100: Ethics of Technology, with Professor Amy Csizmar Dalal.

If you are interested in applying for the FOCUS program, choose this course during first-year registration; you will be asked to fill out a short application for the FOCUS program, answering questions about your interest in science/math and how you’ll promote diversity in STEM, before submitting your A&I course preferences.

FOCUS will also be recruiting for a Winter cohort during the Fall of 2023. If not selected for the Fall cohort (15 members), you are strongly encouraged to apply for the Winter program (15 members). The Winter cohort enjoys the same benefits as the Fall cohort, minus the science-specific Argument and Inquiry course.

The mission of FOCUS is to increase the participation of individuals in science and math who come from backgrounds that are traditionally under-represented (race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, first-generation status, disability, etc.), so please speak to this in your application. You’ll hear about placement in FOCUS before coming to campus (Fall applicants) and may be contacted by current FOCUS students to answer any questions you may have about the program.

To find out more about the program, explore the following information and the For Students pages.

Benefits for FOCUS students include the following:

  • Membership in a cohort of science-interested students.
  • Placement into a science-based Argument and Inquiry seminar in Fall term of your first year.
  • FOCUS Faculty Mentor and Advisor (a science/math faculty member) working directly with student participants through the colloquium.
  • Personalized science advising with FOCUS Faculty Mentor in addition to regular academic advising.
  • A FOCUS Coordinator organizing events and publicizing opportunities.
  • Priority registration into one science or math course in Winter and Spring terms of your first year.
  • Full-year colloquium in first and second year taught by the FOCUS Faculty Mentor with an emphasis on science-based activities, projects, research opportunities, and field trips as well as on strategies for success at Carleton. Students earn credits equivalent to a single course distributed over the first year, and equivalent to half of a course over the second year, creating a “cushion” for future terms in which students may want to take a reduced load.
  • Student mentors are available for science/math courses in which FOCUS students are enrolled.
  • Work-study opportunities in the science/math areas for approximately 50% of the work contract, plus opportunities to serve as a science/math peer mentor (paid). Check out the FOCUS Mentors and FOCUS Scholars pages for more information about work-study opportunities.
  • Targeted recruiting for summer opportunities.
  • First-year and sophomore loan reduction of up to $1000 for students eligible for federal financial aid.

A FOCUS student’s first-year program includes the following:

Fall term

  • A science-based Argument and Inquiry seminar. For 2023, this is CS 100: Ethics of Technology, with Professor Amy Csizmar Dalal – 6 credits
  • FOCUS colloquium – 2 credits
  • 2 additional courses of student’s choice – 12 credits (likely including 1 math course)

Winter term

  • Math or science course secured through preregistration – 6 credits
  • FOCUS colloquium – 2 credits
  • 2 additional courses of student’s choice – 12 credits

Spring term

  • Math or science course secured through preregistration – 6 credits
  • FOCUS colloquium – 2 credits
  • 2 additional courses of student’s choice – 12 credits

The additional credits earned through the FOCUS colloquium provide a credit cushion for future terms, when students may take fewer courses to accommodate a heavy lab schedule or curricular exploration. The First-Year Colloquium teaches research skills and techniques through term-long investigations: The curriculum includes projects on handling large data sets, an introduction to research methodology in a variety of disciplines, and research projects tailored to the cohort’s interests.

Sophomore Year

The Sophomore year colloquium is 1 credit per term and meets bi-weekly to work collaboratively on a year-long Academic Civic Engagement research project. The topic of the research project, chosen by the FOCUS Faculty Mentor, is broad enough to encompass an interdisciplinary investigation from several angles and viewpoints.

Students work with community members and organizations for these projects, culminating in a published FOCUS journal. Past Sophomore projects have included Light Pollution, Air Pollution, Addiction, and Fracking.

Fall Term

  • 3 courses of student’s choice – 18 credits
  • FOCUS Colloquium – 1 credit

Winter Term

  • 3 courses of student’s choice – 18 credits
  • FOCUS Colloquium – 1 credit

Spring Term

  • 3 courses of student’s choice – 18 credits
  • FOCUS Colloquium – 1 credit

Contact FOCUS with any questions you may have about the FOCUS program and math and science at Carleton

FOCUS Director: Deborah Gross (dgross@carleton.edu) Professor of Chemistry, Evelyn M. Anderson Hall 240, x5629

FOCUS Coordinator: Mo Armstrong ’23 (armstrongk@carleton.edu), Educational Associate, Evelyn M. Anderson Hall 230, x4852

The cohorts are supported by Carleton College, the NSF’s Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) through the North Star STEM Alliance, the NSF S-STEM program.  Past support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is gratefully acknowledged.