The Eureka Learning Community is designed to bring together students who share common interests in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a welcoming learning environment that will enhance your academic and social skills as you explore ways of making a difference in your chosen field.
Some of the benefits of the Eureka Learning Community include:
- You will be closely mentored and advised by a designated STEM faculty member in your respective major. They will ensure that you remain in good academic standing by holding regular advising sessions.
- All Eureka Learning Community students will take four courses together - IDC. 100 (Freshman Focus) and MATH 117 (Calculus I) in the Fall semester of their Freshman year, and IDC 101 (Freshman Seminar) and MATH 118 (Calculus II) in the Spring semester of their Freshman year.
- Eureka Learning Community students will receive academic support and counseling from faculty along with peer-tutoring and group study sessions led by senior STEM students in each major. To enhance learning opportunities, you will also receive ample academic support, counseling and peer-tutoring sessions at the Student Success Center. In addition to study rooms in the Student Success Center, all of the STEM departments have designated lounges/study areas. Currently several peer-tutors are working in the Student Success Center to specifically provide individual tutoring, writing tutorials, test-preparation, and group study sessions for Eureka Learning Community students.
- Participation in innovative out-of-class activities (such as Robotics, study of subatomic particles using the data from CERN using Hiperwall visualization system, and Star and Planet Gazing using telescopes at night in the Siena courtyard),social activities (such as Game Night, Ping Pong Night, Pizza Night) in the residence halls and extracurricular activities in your respective STEM major.
- The opportunity to room with other Eureka students in a residence hall on campus.
- Attend talks given by invited speakers at the Eureka Seminar Series. This opportunity will also allow you to interact with the guest speaker and learn about their research work.
- Opportunity to take part in faculty-mentored research in your respective major, which can be presented at the Bellarmine Undergraduate Research week and in state/regional and national scientific conferences or meetings. Depending on your major, you will also have the opportunity join professional societies and organizations and attend their annual scientific conferences/meetings, where you will be able to meet and interact with follow STEM students from other institutions.
- Opportunity to participate in science outreach activities at the Kentucky Science Center and the Level One (LV1) facility in Louisville.
- To increase the career prospects of the Eureka students, the Career Development Office will hold career advising sessions, various professional development workshops (such as resume development, job search strategies, and job interview skills) throughout the year and assist with internships opportunities. Additionally, the Career Development Office will hold on-campus job fairs and invite local recruiters on-campus so that you can interact with them. This experience will provide you with a network of well-connected professionals that you can work with after graduation.
- Once a month, your faculty advisor/mentor will meet with you over lunch at the campus dining hall so that you can address and discuss any academic issues or concerns you may be encountering in your academic endeavors at Bellarmine University.