Undergrad Research Opportunities 1/24/17

January 25, 2017 by wpeeb

0) Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program

We would like to let you know about an exciting new program here at the University of Michigan–the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program (DDCSP UM). DDCSP UM is an exciting two-year research and internship opportunity for bright, curious undergraduate students interested in conservation, nature, and the environment. The program is aimed at bringing more undergraduates currently underrepresented in the environmental field into the conservation arena.

If you know any undergraduate students at your school or other colleges and universities who have a specific interest natural sciences, environmental studies/science, or conservation, we urge you to share with them the attached flyer.

In addition to a $4,250 stipend, accepted students will also receive room and board and travel expenses to and from Ann Arbor, Michigan each summer.

Please note that the application deadline is February 8, 2017. The program dates are June 4-July 29, 2017. Detailed program information and application are available on our website at http://ddcsp-umich.com.

Please feel free to contact us at (734)936-0900 if you would like to discuss the DDCSP UM program further or e-mail us at ddcsp-snre@umich.edu. Thank you for your assistance.

Undergrad Research Opportunities 1/23/17

1) Summer 2017 Marine Mammal Research Internship

The IMMS Research Internship Program located in Gulfport, MS, is designed as a way for students interested in a career in marine science to gain valuable research experience in a real-world setting. Interns will participate with multiple projects involving bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles and diamondback terrapins.

As an intern, you will be trained in all aspects of dolphin photo-id research, sea turtle satellite tracking, and other current research projects at IMMS. Interns will also participate in other operations at IMMS including stranding response, education, and animal care. Our goal is to give Interns a well-rounded experience in a variety of areas while providing expert training and experience in marine science research.

Interns must:

• Commit to a minimum of at least 12 weeks. The internship can be extended depending on work performance.
• Be available to work Mon-Fri and must be available for all boat trips. Some field days may fall on the weekends.
• Have strong sense of responsibility, work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to admit mistakes.
• Produce high quality research efforts and exhibit strong interpersonal skills.
• Principle Duties include: data entry, searching and cataloging journal articles, learning all research protocols, cropping and sorting photo-id fin images, learning to use photo-id programs such as Darwin (fin matching software), and FinBase (Microsoft Access), boat based field research (21’ and 31’ boats), and learn how to use ArcGIS
• Secondary Duties involve: Assisting with animal care staff, attending marine mammal necropsies, responding to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings, and assisting with educational tours.

Applicants must be:

• able to spend many hours on the water and on shore in sometimes extreme seasonal conditions. Seasonal temperatures range from over 100 °F in summer to 30 °F in winter. Field days typically exceed eight hours and occur at least two or three times a week.
• 18 or older and must have a genuine interest in marine research.
• Actively pursuing a college degree or be a recent graduate in
• oceanography, marine science/biology, biology, or a related field. Previous research experience in any capacity is a plus.
• Able and willing to fulfill all duties outlined for this Internship Program. This is an unpaid position and Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation. Once accepted, IMMS staff will be able to assist Interns in suggesting suitable housing options and locations.

Deadline to Apply for the Summer Session (5/1/17 – 7/21/17 and 6/5/17 –

8/25/17) is March 1, 2017. Please visit https://imms.org/internship/ for application and full details

2) Kellogg Biological Station applications now open!

We are recruiting undergraduate students for our NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) positions (http://www.kbs.msu.edu/education/undergraduate-program/research-experiences-for-undergraduates-reu/).

The REU application deadline is March 1st, 2017. You can learn more about KBS research and learning opportunities by going to www.kbs.msu.edu !

3) 2017 MOSAICS in Science internship

Applications for the 2017 MOSAICS in Science internship are now being accepted through February 6, 2017. The Great Lakes Research and Education Center will be hosting a Pollinator Steward intern at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore this summer. The Pollinator Steward will gain hands on experience in both research and science outreach by 1) initiating a pilot native pollinator stewardship program and 2) collecting updated data on native bee diversity in the park.

This position is offered through the National Park Service’s Mosaics in Science Internship Program in partnership with Environment for the Americas and Greening Youth Foundation. The Mosaics in Science (MIS) Diversity Internship provides college students and recent graduates 18-35 years old that are under- represented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) career fields with on-the-ground, natural resource science-based, work experience in the National Park System. Each internship is comprised of working eleven weeks in a park followed by a four day career workshop held in Washington, D.C.

TO APPLY for this position and learn more about the Mosaics program, visit http://www.mosaicsinscience.org/ . Applications will be accepted now through February 6.

4) Tropical Forest Ecology Internship – Mariana Islands

Position: Forest ecology interns with the Ecology of Bird Loss Project (3 positions)

Location: Mariana Islands (Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Rota)

Appointment: 9 months, starting date flexible, between March 1 and June 1, 2017

Project Description: Nearly all native seed dispersers have been extirpated from the island of Guam, largely due to predation by the invasive Brown Treesnake. The Ecology of Bird Loss Project (www.ecologyofbirdloss.org) aims to determine the full impact of seed disperser loss on Guam’s forests – including impacts on individual species and to forest structure – and the potential for different dispersers, both native and non-native, to restore function. Our research examines the ecological role of seed dispersers through comparisons of dynamics on Guam to those on nearby islands (Rota, Tinian, and Saipan) where birds are present.

Duties of the interns: Interns will participate in a variety of field research endeavors including long-term seedling experiments, forest inventories in intact and degraded forest plots, and nursery experiments. Interns will be based on Saipan and Guam with travel to other islands. Specific duties may include: mapping and identifying trees (including seedlings), collecting seeds, propagating plants in a nursery, planting and monitoring seedlings, collecting tree phenology data, and entering data. Field crews work 8-10 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. Interns must be able to commit to working on the project for 9 months with a start date between March 1 and June 1, 2017.

Requirements: The successful applicant must be able to pay attention to detail, work well individually and as part of a group, and be flexible. Research in the Mariana Islands involves working in high heat and humidity, walking over rough terrain sometimes carrying heavy and awkward loads (i.e. rolls of chicken wire, flats of seedlings, water), and tolerating the tedious, and at times monotonous, work necessary for all scientific endeavors. Successful applicants must learn how to identify trees (including seedlings) quickly and accurately. If a candidate is allergic to bees, he/she must carry a bee sting kit and be trained in its use, as the chances of getting stung are high. Relevant field experience and prior independent research experience is desired. The intern must be a US citizen with a valid US driver’s license.

Payment and benefits: Interns will receive valuable training and experience in the field of conservation biology and field ecology research – a great way to both determine whether graduate school in the life sciences is for you and to gain the necessary experience for a competitive application to graduate school. Successful applicants will also receive a round-trip ticket from any major airport in the US to Saipan or Guam, housing on all islands, transportation to and from field sites, and a monthly stipend of $650.

To apply: Email a single pdf document including a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references to ecologyofbirdloss@gmail.com. The subject line should read “EBL Intern Position”. The cover letter should describe your previous research experience, career goals, and why you are interested in this position. In addition, please specify your desired and potential start dates. Applications must be submitted by midnight EST on Saturday, January 28, 2017.

5) Summer 2017 Student Contract Positions – Biological Technicians

The USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland is seeking to hire three full-time temporary student contractors to assist with the North American Breeding Bird Survey program (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS), a long- term, continental avian monitoring program. Tasks will include working with wildlife survey data, performance of quality assurance and quality control procedures on biological data, data entry, assisting with database management, photocopying and filing, preparation of maps and assisting in preparation of administrative correspondence. Interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter by February 15, 2017.

Statement of Work

1. Types of services required: During the summer field season, approximately 3100 BBS routes are sampled by participants skilled in avian identification. These data are then processed and analyzed by USGS to inform avian conservation efforts in the U.S. and Canada. Tasks will include processing incoming data and materials, performing data entry and quality control procedures using web-based technologies, tracking progress, assisting with database management, photocopying, scanning and filing materials, map preparation, and corresponding with participants.
   1. Required expertise/skills:
   2. Applicants are required to have completed two years of undergraduate course work (student must be at least a second semester sophomore).
   3. Applicants must be majors in a biology, ecology, environmental science or related disciplines.
   4. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in English both verbally and in writing.
   5. Applicants must have knowledge of computer software used to summarize and visualize data (i.e. Excel and Access).
   6. Knowledge of North American birds is not required but considered a plus.
2. Eligibility requirements: To be eligible for a student contract position, applicants must be either a currently enrolled student or a recent graduate. To qualify as a student, the applicant must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program at an accredited college or university. Former students who graduated more than 10 months ago or who left school without graduating are not eligible to work under these contracts. Applicants will be required to show proof of their student status (or recent graduation). USGS employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program. U.S. citizens are eligible. Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible to participate, depending on their immigration status and the applicable regulations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service). Foreign students in the U.S. under F-1 visas are usually not able to participate in this program, due to USCIS restrictions against off-campus work.
3. Description of working conditions: Work will be performed in an office environment located on the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center campus in Laurel, Maryland. Extended periods of computer use will be required. This is not a field or laboratory position.
4. Compensation: The student contractor will be paid $16.71 per hour. Student contractors are paid only for hours worked (no holiday or leave benefits). Student is responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the principal duty station location. The Government does not provide housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. Official travel away from the duty station is not expected.
5. Principal Duty Station: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 12100 Beech Forest Road, Laurel, Maryland 20708-4038. Student contractors may enter the building only during business hours or when project manager is present.
6. Additional information: Number of students required is three. Estimated number of hours for the position is 544 (full-time for summer). There is a possibility of additional part-time hours continuing into the fall semester. The approximate start date is May 29, 2017. The approximate end date is August 25, 2017. There is flexibility in start and end dates to accommodate variations in academic calendars.
7. How to apply: Send resume and cover letter to Keith Pardieck via email (kpardieck@usgs.gov). Applications must be received on or before February 15, 2017. In your cover letter include an explanation of how you meet the eligibility requirements, your expected graduation date, and discuss your experience as related to sections 1 and 2 above.

6) Summer REU opportunity in marine science

Research in Subtropical Marine Ecosystems, May 31 – August 4, 2017 Nine research fellowships will be available for the summer of 2017, for undergraduate students to conduct independent research projects on topics such as:

• Biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling
• Watershed processes, land-sea interactions
• Estuarine ecology, Community ecology
• Seagrass and marsh ecosystems
• Zooplankton and phytoplankton ecology
• Fish ecology and physiology
• Coastal and organic geochemistry

The Marine Science Institute is located in Port Aransas, on 72 acres on the Gulf of Mexico. REU projects will take advantage of the wide variety of coastal habitats near the Institute, such as shallow bays, hypersaline lagoons, seagrass beds, mangroves, marshes, and estuaries, including the 185,000-acre Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve. The 10-week summer program begins with a full-day research cruise on the R/V Katy and ends with a symposium in which students will present their research results.

• Eligibility: Students must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate, and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and its possessions.
• Stipends: Students will receive a summer stipend of $5000 for the 10-week program, full room and board, a research allowance, and a travel allowance.
• APPLY! http://reu.utmsi.utexas.edu for forms and instructions
• Deadline for applications is February 13, 2017.

7) Undergraduate Internship in Tropical Ecology and Evolution – Summer 2017

We are now accepting applications for the Summer 2017 internship in Tropical Ecology and Evolution at El Verde Field Station, Puerto Rico. The internship will run from May 29 – August 4.

The program will offer students the opportunity to have hands-on experience fields such as:

• Aquatic insect ecology
• Bat ecology
• Caddisfly (Trichoptera) biology
• Plant population biology
• Tropical Lepidoptera diversity
• Invasive rodent ecology

Students receive a stipend for the ten weeks duration of the program. Round- trip plane ticket from home institution to Puerto Rico will be reimbursed, up to a maximum of $600. The program will cover housing at El Verde Field Station. The National Science Foundation and the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus, fund the program.

The program is limited to undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor degree at a college or university during summer 2017 that are US citizens or permanent residents. Application deadline: 15 February 2017! Application materials and further information can be found at http://reu.ites.upr.edu/

8) Plant-pollinator research assistant needed – Mojave Desert

Description: We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person to assist on a Masters student research project based out of the Mojave Desert, California. The project focuses on plant facilitation in stressed environments and involves research on shrubs and cacti, and their surrounding annual plant community. Specifically, we are looking at how these plants interact with each other via pollinators and how these interactions change with distance and density. Most of the work will include assisting in conducting surveys on shrubs, cacti and annual plants, setting up video equipment, collecting pollen and seed samples, and in-situ observation and collection of pollinators.

Requirements: Candidates must be reasonably fit and comfortable with frequent hiking and working in the sun and heat. Ecological background, basic insect identification and field work experience a plus.

Dates: mid-March to mid-May 2016, exact dates to be determined.

Included: Flight, transportation within California, accommodation, food (volunteer position)

Send a cover letter outlining your interest in the position and resume to Jenna Braun (braunj@yorku.ca).

9) Avian-related jobs and internships, NJ Audubon

SHOREBIRD FIELD TECHNICIANS (2) needed 16 April through 30 June 2017 for ongoing research on shorebird migration ecology along New Jersey’s Delaware Bay shore. Delaware Bay is recognized as an internationally important staging area for shorebirds during spring migration. Duties include extracting birds from mist-nets, banding, weighing and measuring birds, recording data, point counts, surveying for color-banded birds, and data entry. Mist-netting and bird banding experience necessary. Ability to identify shorebirds of the eastern U. S., color- band resighting experience, and proficiency with MS Excel or Access preferred. Applicants must be able to work independently or as part of a team, flexible to work irregular hours or six days/week, in occasionally hot and buggy conditions. Start date can be flexible. Salary $1800-2200/month depending on experience. Must have own vehicle and clean driver’s license. Housing and reimbursement for gas provided. Send cover letter indicating position of interest, resume outlining relevant experience, and three references (including email address and phone number) as a single pdf document by email to hr.research@njaudubon.org. Please include “Delaware Bay” in the Subject line to be sure that your application is routed to the correct department. Application deadline 15 February. NJ Audubon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

RUFFED GROUSE SURVEY TECHNICIANS (2) needed March 16th through May 15th 2017 to conduct Ruffed Grouse surveys in northwestern New Jersey. Duties include conducting point count surveys using distance sampling methodologies, habitat surveys, and data entry. Point count experience, the ability to identify Ruffed Grouse and other birds of the eastern U.S. by sight and sound, and proficiency with GPS and range finders required; knowledge of MS Excel and ArcGIS preferred. Applicants must be able to work independently in the field and be willing to work irregular hours (i.e. early mornings and occasional weekends). Salary $1,800 – $2,200 per month, depending on experience. Must have own vehicle, and a valid, clean driver’s license. Housing and mileage reimbursement will be provided. Send cover letter indicating position of interest, resume outlining relevant experience, and three references (including email address and phone number) as a single pdf document by email to hr.research@njaudubon.org. Please include “Ruffed Grouse” in the Subject line to be sure that your application is routed to the correct department. Application deadline 15 February. NJ Audubon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SHRUB/SCRUB BIRD FIELD TECHNICIANS (2) needed May 1st through August 15th 2017 for research on shrub/scrub bird ecology in northern New Jersey. Duties include conducting point count surveys in the NJ Highlands using distance sampling methodologies, vegetation sampling, data entry and some data analysis. Point count experience and the ability to identify birds of the eastern U.S. by sight and sound required. Proficiency with GPS and range finders required, and knowledge of MS Excel and ArcGIS preferred. Applicants must be able to work independently, move materials and to lift 25 lbs as needed and be willing to work in occasionally hot and buggy conditions and potential rough terrain. Salary $1,800 – $2,200 per month, depending on experience. Must have own vehicle, and a valid, clean driver’s license. Housing and mileage reimbursement will be provided. Send cover letter indicating position of interest, resume outlining relevant experience, and three references (including email address and phone number) as a single pdf document by email to hr.research@njaudubon.org. Please include “Shrub/Scrub” in the Subject line to be sure that your application is routed to the correct department. Application deadline 1 March 2017. NJ Audubon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NEWARK BIRD FIELD TECHNICIAN needed 1 April through 31 May 2017 for research evaluating building/bird interactions in Newark, NJ. Modern tall building in US cities, including Newark, have the potential to cause significant mortality to migrant birds. Duties include but are not limited to pre-dawn surveys around buildings to document grounded birds, transporting injured birds to the rehabilitator and data management. Proficiency with MS Excel and Word software a must. Familiarity with birds of the northeastern US and use of hand- held GPS preferred. Applicants must be able to work independently or as part of a team, and work irregular hours, including occasional weekends. Salary $1800 – $2200/month, depending on experience. Housing available if needed; mileage reimbursement provided. Must have a valid and clean driver’s license. Send cover letter indicating position of interest, resume outlining relevant experience, and three references (including email address and phone number) as a single pdf document by email to hr.research@njaudubon.org. Please include “Newark” in the Subject line to be sure that your application is routed to the correct department. Application deadline 10 February. NJ Audubon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

GEORGE MYERS FIELD NATURALIST INTERN needed 23 March to 22 December 2017 Successful applicant develops a full spectrum of skills through hands-on participation in various educational, research and conservation projects at New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory (CMBO) and Nature Center of Cape May (NCCM), Cape May, NJ. Cape May is renowned as one of the world’s greatest hotspots for animal migration, as well as being a popular summertime vacation destination and beach resort. The combination of the two offers great opportunities for wildlife research and education through public outreach. New Jersey Audubon fosters the application of sound scientific principles and practices to address conservation issues related to vertebrate and invertebrate fauna, and the natural habitats with which they are associated. Major responsibilities include educational programming/field trips/workshops for visitors, children’s programming at summer nature camp, assisting with center interpretive displays, develop brochures and materials for web/blog sites. Familiarity with bird migration, birding, marine species and coastal ecology a plus. Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, ecology, environmental science or similar field preferred. Motivated self-starter who is also a team player; excellent oral and written skills required. Strong computer skills, and ability to relate to a diverse range of people and exercise cultural competence and inclusion; willingness to work irregular hours under sometimes difficult conditions and ability to walk over uneven terrain for long distances. Must have own vehicle and a valid, clean driver’s license. Salary $1500/month. Housing provided. Send cover letter indicating position of interest, resume outlining relevant experience, and three references (including email address and phone number) as a single pdf document by email to hr.cmboseasonal@njaudubon.org. Application deadline 15 February 2017. NJ Audubon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

10) Summer Job – Field Research in Northern Alaska

We are seeking undergraduates or college graduates interested in research to understand ecosystem function in soils, streams, and lakes, and how arctic tundra will respond to climate change.

Job Description: Paid research assistants will collect and analyze field samples at sites located in the foothills of the Brooks Range in Northern Alaska. Job duties include sample collection, field measurements, and lab analyses at the Toolik Lake Field station. Fieldwork involves hiking in remote areas while carrying heavy packs of field equipment. Additional responsibilities include chemical analyses and data processing. This position offers an excellent opportunity to gain research experience in ecology and meet outstanding research scientists from around the world. Room and board are provided. This position is associated with the National Science Foundation Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program.

To apply: Please send 1. your resume, 2. a 1-page description of your background (include relevant course work, field experience, academic and career goals), 3. the names and contact information of 3 references to: Dr. George Kling, gwk@umich.edu. Experience in ecology, chemistry, and microbiology is desirable. Employment will be approximately June 10 – August 30, 2017.

Additional information about the Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) project is available at http://arc-lter.ecosystems.mbl.edu/ and information about Toolik Field Station is available at http://toolik.alaska.edu/ We will begin reviewing applications on 1 February 2017 and continue until all positions are filled.

11) Student intern positions – Columbian ground squirrels

We are looking for 4 interns interested in taking part in a field ecology project on Columbian ground squirrels. Two interns will begin Apr 10, 2017 and two will begin May 1, 2017. All four internships will finish on Aug 31, 2017. The project investigates the ecology of Columbian ground squirrels. As a member of the study, interns will be involved with monitoring the phenology (when animals emerge from hibernation), reproduction and survival of individuals. Fieldwork will involve live-trapping and handling of animals, radio-telemetry, behavioural observation and assistance with the measurement of physiological (metabolism) traits on free-ranging animals. This is an excellent opportunity to gain training and experience working with a collaborative research team on a long-term study of a wild mammal. Opportunities for independent research projects are also available.

All fieldwork is carried out in the spectacular Rocky Mountains of southwestern Alberta, Canada, home to some of the most majestic wildlife in North America. Interns will have the opportunity to interact with, and learn from, other researchers working with ground squirrels on a diversity of projects in behavioural and population ecology. Additionally, a number of other researchers in the area are studying a range of species, from insects to large mammals.

If you wish to apply for one of these posts then please send a CV with a cover letter and contact details for three references (with e-mail addresses), by email to Jeff Lane (usaskcgsproject@gmail.com) by February 15, 2017.

https://artsandscience.usask.ca/profile/JeffreyLane#/profile

12) Research Opportunities with the Echinacea Project

Are you interested in gaining field research experience and learning about the ecology and evolution of plants and plant-animal interactions in fragmented prairie? The Echinacea Project is offering several summer and year-long research internships for students and soon-to-be graduates. We have diverse potential projects for students with backgrounds or interests in plant ecology, pollination biology, evolution, statistics, conservation, and computer science. In the past, interns have completed projects on a variety of topics including pollination biology, prairie restoration, and plant-herbivore interactions.

No experience is necessary, but you must be enthusiastic and hard-working. You will survey natural plant populations, measure plant traits in experimental plots, hand-pollinate plants, observe & collect insects, and assist in all aspects of research. Housing is provided and there is a stipend. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to do an independent project as an REU participant.

Information about our offerings for summer 2017 and the 2017-2018 year are here: http://echinaceaproject.org/opportunities/. Review of applications will begin on February 23rd for REU internships and on March 2nd for other positions. The team and I are happy to answer any further questions.

13) Undergrad Internships @ NEON: Apps due 10 Feb

NEON is accepting applications for a variety of research internships for undergraduates in summer 2017. Please share this information with potentially interested undergraduates. From helping to design sensor assemblies to testing sampling protocols and analyzing data, interns work alongside staff mentors and explore career options in weekly professional development seminars and networking events with interns from other scientific programs based in Boulder, CO.

• During this 11-week paid summer program, interns work 40 hours a week
• earning a competitive wage.
• Furnished apartments are provided at no cost to interns.
• Round-trip airfare from anywhere within the U.S. and Puerto Rico and a
• regional bus pass that meets most local transportation needs are provided.
• Applications are due 10 February, 2017.
• For more details, visit http://bit.ly/NEONIntern17g

14) 2017 Summer REU Program at Virginia Institute of Marine Science

The REU Site program for Coastal Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) invites applicants to apply for a 10 week summer research experience that places 12 undergraduates with faculty mentors. Internships are available in many areas of marine science, including marine biology and ecology; biological, geological, chemical, and physical oceanography; environmental science; fisheries; and resource management. Participants will receive a summer stipend and food allowance. Accommodations in the dorms at the College of William & Mary are provided, as well as transportation between the campuses.

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science, located in Gloucester Point, Virginia, is one of the largest coastal and estuarine science institutions in the world, with more than 55 faculty and a graduate student body of more than 85. VIMS houses state-of-the-art oceanographic instrumentation and analytical facilities, a large fleet of coastal research vessels, a world-class marine science library, and is within close proximity to a variety of habitats ranging from freshwater tributaries to the coastal ocean.

During the summer students will meet every week for a seminar that features a guest speaker discussing topics such as: Scientific Reading, Writing and Peer Review; How to Apply to Graduate School: Tips from the Faculty Who Read the Files; Alternatives to Life in Academia: A Panel Discussion; How to Give an Effective Scientific Presentation; and Ethics in Science. Other group activities include 3 field trips. We traverse the coastal plain environment, from a freshwater system that feeds into the Chesapeake Bay, through the estuary proper and out to the Atlantic Ocean along the shoreface of the Delmarva Peninsula. When we travel to the VIMS Wachapreague Laboratory on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, we spend a full day exploring nearly pristine coastal habitats, including an open coast beach on a barrier island, mud flat, salt marsh, and oyster reef. During a research cruise in the York River estuary aboard the VIMS research vessel Bay Eagle, there will be opportunities to try state-of-the-art oceanographic instrumentation, to pull in a trawl net full of fish and crabs, and to learn a bit about vessel navigation. When we kayak the tidal freshwater reaches of the Chesapeake Bay, expect to see an abundance of wildlife and learn how land-use practices in the watershed affect the local estuary and coastal ocean.

Application deadline is February 10, 2017. Complete information about the program is available by visiting http://www.vims.edu/education/college/summer_intern/index.php