The NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates site at Ursinus College offers paid summer research opportunities in environmental science in the areas of microbiology, climate change, ecology of mammals, and watershed management. Interested undergraduate students from across the nation, particularly minority students and students with limited research opportunities at their home institutions, are invited to apply. Applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents. All students receive a stipend, housing, research supply money, and a meal allowance. Applications and recommendations are due by midnight of March 15, 2008 online and recommendations must be emailed or sent regular mail to Ursinus College. Students will be notified by March 30, 2008.

In the lab and the field, REU students become part of our thriving multidisciplinary summer research community and the strong environmental studies program. The 10 week program begins May 19th, 2008 with a mini-course that gives all students an introduction to environmental science including research methods and ethics. Students design and carry out research projects tailored to add to our knowledge in environmental science and to prepare them for careers in this important discipline. They will learn research skills that are useful in any sub discipline of the natural sciences. Each student works closely with a professor who is dedicated to students and research and has published with undergraduates in peer reviewed journals. Every faculty member also has summer research students sponsored by other programs, making for a lively group in each laboratory.

Ursinus College’s undergraduate research community, which has existed for 16 years in the summer and 44 years during the academic year, engages in intensive research in the sciences, social sciences, humanities and the arts. The community is bound together by lunch seminars, celebration of student achievement through the end-of-the summer research symposium, and recreational activities. Our up-to-date laboratories (benefiting from NSF-ILI, Kresge, Pew, and HHMI grants) gives REU students experience with modern equipment and techniques. All of the students develop strong skills that have helped large numbers of past research students enter research careers or graduate school.

REU students are expected to arrive on campus on May 18th, 2008 after 3 PM and to fully devote themselves to their research during the 10 week program. They are expected to write a scientific research paper, and present their research at the beginning and end of the summer on-campus symposia. They will receive ample help from their mentor in preparing for these activities. They are also expected to live on campus, participate in the cultural and educational activities and field trips, and all aspects of the mini-course at the beginning of the summer. The end of the summer symposium occurs on the last day of the program, July 25th, 2008. Students are asked to vacate the dormitories that afternoon.

Ursinus College is located in southeastern Pennsylvania, 30 miles from Philadelphia. Suburban and city shopping, restaurants, entertainment, sports stadiums and beaches are accessible by bus/train service. Summer research students have the opportunity to visit the Liberty Bell, Valley Forge National Park and other educational attractions vital to our nation’s history and some that are just plain fun! Please do contact Dr. Kate Goddard, Department of Biology, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA. 19426; 610-489-4111 x2327; kgoddard-doms@ursinus.edu if you have any questions!

Important Dates

March 15, 2008 Application due date	May 19, 2008 Research starting
March 30, 2008 Notification date	July 25, 2008 Research ending
May 18, 2008 Move in date	July 25, 2008 Move out date

• 
• Contact for Information:
  
• Dr. Kathryn Goddard
• Department of Biology
• Ursinus College
• Collegeville, PA 19426
• kgoddard-doms@ursinus.edu
• 610-489-4111 x2327