Academics
Molecular Sciences Research Center of the University of Puerto Rico
Summer 2026 Course Overview
You will take two courses simultaneously for a total of 8 credits. In one course, a Brandeis instructor will teach topics in science communication; in the other course, you will be assigned a lab mentor and research project on which you will work 35-40 hours per week. This program provides Brandeis STEM majors with the research experience and communication skills to take the next step in their STEM careers.
Research projects range in scope from biophysical, organic, and inorganic chemistry to materials science and marine natural products. Click here to review a complete list of projects available to Brandeis students in Summer 2026.
Molecular Sciences Research Center
The eight-story Molecular Science Research Center (pictured above) is designed to meet the needs of cutting-edge research in Puerto Rico. The design features standardization, flexibility and adaptability, systems integration, and ease of sharing equipment. All building elements, including structure, offices, laboratories, and furnishings, are standardized according to the latest technological advances. The building has been designed to meet the requirements of the molecular sciences for controlled environments and dependable utilities to conduct research efficiently and effectively. The plan of the building is to promote high efficiency in use of equipment (common use facilities), stimulate communication among collaborators, and facilitate upgrading as science advances, and techniques and equipment improve.
The building provides laboratory space for the country's most competitive scientists, specifically, researchers from the Rio Piedras and Medical Science campuses. A key component to infrastructure is quality research space. The structure provides ninety thousand (90,000) net square feet of high quality science laboratories. Puerto Rico has never had research space of this nature. The new building enables us to develop projects in the fields of bioimaging, molecular structure and cellular biology, neuroscience, cancer, and nanotechnology, among others.
All but two of the research projects take place at the Molecular Sciences Research Center, with the other two taking place in labs at the campuses of the University of Puerto Rico. To review a complete list of projects and project locations, click here.
Spanish Language and Culture
In addition to the STEM course and research you are undertaking in San Juan, all students will participate in a Spanish Language and Culture module during orientation that supplements the cross-cultural experience you are having in Puerto Rico.
Prerequisites for the Program
Students must have reached junior or senior standing with a GPA of 3.0 or above. Students are eligible to participate after completing their sophomore year.
Students must have completed the core course sequence in the field in which their project is based. See the individual project descriptions for specific prerequisites.
A Spanish course is highly recommended before attending the program but not required.