Research Experience for Undergraduates: Gulf of Maine and the World Ocean
http://www.bigelow.org/education/REU/
Bigelow Laboratory’s new National Science Foundation-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program offers college undergraduates the opportunity to conduct independent research in ocean science. Our 2009 REU Program is scheduled to run for ten weeks, from June 7 through August 15. Directed by Senior Research Scientists Drs. Rick Wahle and David Fields, the program is designed to give students experience with hands-on, state-of-the-art research methods and technologies. Program goals include building student confidence and research skills for today's scientific world. All interns receive housing, a stipend, and a modest food and supplies allowance.
Current Mentors and Project Opportunities
Eligibility
Application and Deadlines
REU Contact Person
Important Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
Current Mentors and Project Opportunities: The following mentors at Bigelow Laboratory are accepting REU students for the 2009 summer program. (This list will change yearly.)
William Balch (Gulf of Maine North Atlantic Time Series and Glider Programs)
David Emerson (Environmental Microbiology)
David Fields (Zooplankton Ecology and Neuroethology)
Joaquim Goés (Phytoplankton Biochemistry and Remote Sensing)
Peter Larsen (Benthic Community Structure, Historical Marine Biodiversity)
Patricia Matrai (Phytoplankton Physiology, Atmospheric Chemistry, and Production of Climate-relevant Gases)
Michael Sieracki (Phytoplankton Ecology and Flow Cytometry)
Ramunas Stepanauskas (Marine Bacterioplankton and Molecular Biology Tools)
Benjamin Twining (Role of Iron in the Growth and Composition of Marine Phytoplankton)
Richard Wahle (Fisheries Ecology/Oceanography, Benthic Ecology and Food Webs)
William Wilson/Susan Wharam (Marine virology and Molecular Tools)
Hwan Su Yoon (Phylogeny and Genome Evolution of the Algae)
Eligibility
An NSF-supported REU participant must be a current undergraduate student and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its possessions. An undergraduate student is a student who is enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree. Students who are transferring from one college or university to another and are enrolled at neither institution during the intervening summer may participate under certain circumstances. Students graduating the May before the program are not eligible for the Bigelow Laboratory REU Program. Participants must be "returning to an undergraduate program" after the summer REU Program. See NSF's eligibility guidelines for more information.
All students who are offered a position at this REU Site have until March 15th or later to accept or reject the offer. This program is funded by the National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences and the OCE REU Program Director is Lisa Rom ( elrom@NSF.gov) or 703-292-7709.
Applicants should also have a minimum of one year of basic biology and be in good standing with their home institution. Most REU students will have completed two or three years of college. A letter of recommendation from an individual who can comment on continued commitment to self-motivated projects is weighted more than the GPA.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: All application material must be received by March 15.
Application and References must be submitted by the deadline date of March 15. Other important dates for this program are below.
Application Procedure and Requirements:
Applications are evaluated based on three critical components. Incomplete applications are not considered:
1) A two-page application including short answers (essay) written by the applicant.
2) Two letters of recommendation.
3) The most recent transcript from the academic institution you are attending.
Applicants should have a minimum of one year of basic biology and be in good standing with their home institution. Most REU students will have completed two or three years of college. A letter of recommendation from an individual who can comment on your commitment to self-motivated projects is weighted more than your GPA.
Printable (PDF) APPLICATION Form (to be completed and mailed by the applicant).
Printable (PDF) REFERENCE Form (to be completed and mailed by the referee).
(WORD Doc) APPLICATION Form (to be completed and e-mailed by the applicant).
(WORD Doc) REFERENCE Form (to be completed and e-mailed by the referee).
Contact:
Submit all applications materials using either the downloaded pdf forms (to be filled out by hand and mailed in) or the Word document (to be emailed) to Bigelow Laboratory's REU Program Contact Person:
John McKown
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
180 McKown Point Road
West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575-0475 U.S.A.
reu@bigelow.org
Important Dates
Application Deadline: March 15
Decision Date: May 1
Check-in Day: June 7*
Program Start Date: June 8
Cruise Date: June 10
Research Proposal Due Date: June 21
Final Presentation August 14
Checkout Day: August 15
*Participants should plan to arrive prior to 4 p.m. on June 7. Frequently Asked Questions
Finances: All room and board expenses are covered by the program. Participants pay no fees or tuition charges. There is a budget to cover participant project expenses, a stipend, and a limited budget for travel to and from the Laboratory.
Where will we live? Participants live together in the 1780 House at Harborfields, a group of waterfront cottages within walking distance of Bigelow Laboratory. Students share a room with 1 or 2 other REU program participants.
Is it possible to have a private room? No.
What will I eat? Students are responsible for their own meals. Full kitchen facilities are available in the 1780 house.
Do I need a car? You may bring your personal vehicle, but housing is within walking distance of the Laboratory, and there is limited public transportation to town for grocery shopping.
Can I receive credit for this program? This is encouraged. Students interested in receiving course credit should make arrangements through their home academic institution.
Can I be a senior? Yes, as long as you have not graduated. |