Living Learning Communities (LLCs) are groups of students who share academic goals and interests and live together in a designated residence hall. Every year, our faculty personally welcome new freshmen students who move into rooms reserved for the Jonnson School of Computer of Engineering and Computer Science’s department of bioengineering.
LLC freshmen students live suite-style in groups of three; each suite has three private bedrooms and a shared living area. BMEN students live together on the same floor and are all enrolled in bioengineering-related courses (BMEN 1100, BMEN1300, BMEN1208) that offer students guidance and support through their first semester.
Students who participate in our LLC tend to make peer relationships more quickly, enjoy increased faculty interaction outside the classroom, and maintain higher GPAs.
LLC students also participate in special events, such as tours of local medical device companies and hospitals, dine and discuss bioengineering topics and trends with faculty, and enjoy networking events with the UT Dallas Chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society.
For more information, contact Dr. Ben Porter.
University Commons Residence Halls
- Furnished three-bedroom suites with common sitting and bathroom areas
- Accessible by Comet Card
- Laundry room, mail room, study lounges, community kitchen, music practice room
- Billiards, ping pong, foosball, large screen TVs
- Utilities and internet services included
- Outdoor grills and sport courts
- Onsite dining hall and recreation center
Meet the LLC Advisors
Dr. Ben Porter
Dr. Ben Porter is an Associate Professor of Instruction at UT Dallas. He joined the university in 2013 as a communications manager before transitioning to his current role in 2018. Before his appointment at UT Dallas, Dr. Porter served as a postdoctoral research fellow at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders. His research focused on stroke and behavioral training techniques for small animals undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI.
As an educator, Dr. Porter teaches Introduction to Bioengineering, Introduction to Medical Devices Development, and Six Sigma Yellow Belt for Bioengineering. He is passionate about helping his students succeed both academically and professionally.
Dr. Kathleen
Dr. Kathleen Myers is an associate professor of instruction in Bioengineering at The University of Texas at Dallas. She joined the department in 2015 and has since been an integral part of the team. Prior to her appointment at UT Dallas, Dr. Myers interned at Geon Corp. and Ethicon Inc., where she conducted polymer research. After obtaining her doctorate, she worked as a research engineer in the Neurological Biomaterials and Cancer Therapeutics Lab at Georgia Tech. Dr. Myers also served as manager of the in vivo microCT imaging core facility and taught Problems in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech.
As an educator, Dr. Myers teaches Introduction to Bioengineering I and II and Probability Theory and Statistics for Biomedical Engineering. She is dedicated to helping her students succeed both academically and professionally. Dr. Myers is passionate about interacting with her students and supporting them in achieving their goals. Dr. Myers takes great pride in seeing student success in both the classroom and in their future endeavors. She is fully committed to training the next generation of engineers and knowledge while inspiring them to be lifelong learners.
How to Apply for BE LLC?
To apply for a spot in the BMEN Living Learning Community, incoming freshmen must select this option on their housing application. Participation in BMEN LLC is limited and filled based on first-come, first-served. Currently, our BMEN cohort is limited to 36 students. To ensure your place, students must complete their housing application as early as possible.
Please visit UT Dallas Living Learning Communities site for more information about this valuable first-year program for BMEN incoming freshmen. For residential life questions, please get in touch with livinglearning@utdallas.edu.
FAQ
What is a Living Learning Community?
An LLC is a residential cohort program for first-year freshmen who are enrolled in similar academic programs.
What advantages does the LLC offer?
Participating in an LLC provides a built-in support network for first-year students. LLC students enjoy an easier transition into college life and tend to make friends quickly with students who share common interests and goals. Other advantages include increased faculty and staff contact outside of the classroom through special events throughout the year.
What are the requirements for me to join?
You must be an incoming freshman who has been accepted to UT Dallas as a BMEN major. All applicants must live on campus in designated LLC spaces and enroll in the courses required for your community.
What if I have been accepted as a pre-med major
Pre-med majors are eligible for the BMEN LLC.
What Classes do LLC Students take together?
- Fall – BMEN 1100-Introduction to Bioengineering I, BMEN 1300-Introduction to Biomedical Engineering Computing (fall or spring)
- Spring -BMEN 1208-Introduction to Bioengineering II
Can I request a certain roommate?
Yes, as long as they have also been accepted into the BMEN LLC. Requests for non-BMEN LLC roommates cannot be accommodated in the residence halls.
How will I know if I have been accepted into the LLC?
Acceptance emails will be sent to your UT Dallas email account prior to the first freshman orientation session in June.
What if I decide to opt out of the LLC
Contact livinglearning@utdallas.edu immediately. Requests to opt out are contingent on space available in other residence halls and are only granted during the summer months prior to the fall semester.
Who can I contact with further questions?
- Living Learning Programs: livinglearning@utdallas.edu
- Dr. Ben Porter: Ben.Porter@utdallas.edu