Mountain Lake Biological Station's Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Basic information

  • Organization: University of Virginia
  • Department(s):
  • Field(s): Biology
  • Paid? Yes
  • Deadline: February 20, 2016

NSF Funded REU-Site Program: Independent Field Research in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at Mountain Lake Biological Station Mountain Lake Biological Station's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU-Sites) program has been sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF, current awards DBI-1005104 and DBI-1461169) since 1993. The program brings undergraduate students from around the country together for an exciting ten-week summer program of guided, but independent, original research in field biology.

Mountain Lake Biological Station's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU-Sites) program has been sponsored by the National Science Foundation since 1993 (current NSF award DBI-1461169). The program brings undergraduate students from around the country together for an exciting ten-week summer program of guided, but independent, original research in field biology. The MLBS REU program provides participants with take home a stipend of $5,250. It also covers all room and board expenses and has a project and travel budget. UVA's "Campers Accidental Coverage" provides limited health insurance coverage.

The focus of scientific research at MLBS, and therefore of the REU program, is population biology at the intersection of field-based studies of ecology, evolution, and behavior. Student researchers work closely with researcher mentors in compatible areas of interest. Students take leadership roles in all aspects of the study; they design the study and prepare the proposal, collect data and perform analysis, and finally they interpret the results and prepare a written and oral presentation. Compared to many other REU programs, ours offers a high degree of independence in project choice and design.

Mountain Lake is also special in its exciting, diverse, and friendly academic community. This atmosphere fosters collaboration at all levels, and promotes the constant exchange of ideas with fellow students and scientists. Many projects are submitted for publication in leading biological journals. Students also participate in a weekly seminar about the conduct of biological research. REU participants have access to state-of-the-art facilities and are granted full use of all Station scientific and computer equipment.

Who are the Program Participants?

The program supports ten positions each summer. Applicants should have course experience in fields such as ecology, behavior, and evolution. A letter of recommendation from a teacher or someone who can comment on how you would do at a field station and as an independent researcher is more important than your GPA. Your own essay on the application is of highest importance and gives us insight into your experiences and goals. Participants are chosen for their readiness to take on original creative field-based biological research and for their interest in, and potential for, a career based in science. Most REU students have completed two or three years of their undergraduate degree. Students who have completed only one year are probably better served by taking a course or two at the Station and then returning as an REU in the following year. This is a common, and encouraged, strategy.

Compensation

The MLBS REU program provides participants with take home a stipend of $5,250; it also covers all room and board expenses and has a project and travel budget. Participants pay no fees or tuition charges of any kind.

Apply

This year's application deadline has passed.

Applications are due by Saturday February 20, 2016.

REU Program Student Application | Mountain Lake Biological Station

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU-Site) Program Information | Mountain Lake Biological Station

Eligibility and Expectations (adapted from NSF web site)
Undergraduate student participants supported with NSF funds in an REU Site program must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. 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. High school graduates who have been accepted at an undergraduate institution but who have not yet started their undergraduate study are also eligible to participate. Students who have received their bachelor's degrees and are no longer enrolled as undergraduates are generally not eligible to participate. Students graduating in the May before the program are not eligible. Put simply, only applicants who are returning to an undergraduate program after the summer REU program are eligible. In addition, as a REU researcher you are expected to be in residence at the Station for the full ten weeks of the program. Special scheduling needs (raised. short trips away) can often be accommodated if raised in advance and agreed to by the research mentor and program coordinator.  Field biologists often work long and irregular hours six or seven days a week. REU program participants must agree to the same. Commuting is not permitted. It is also important to consider that field work is often physically strenuous and demanding. Program participants need to be physically fit and willing to embrace physical labor, demanding hiking, and long hours in the field in all weather conditions. ? More on NSF eligibility information.
 
Application Procedure and Requirements
Complete application and reference letter must be submitted using the on-line forms by the deadline date. Applications are evaluated based on three components - essay, reference letter, course experience.  Applications must be submitted in English. Incomplete applications can not be considered:
  1. A one-page (600 word) essay written by the applicant, and pasted into the application form. The essay should stress (a) past experiences that qualify you for this research internship and what you gained from them, (b) your interests and professional goals, and (c) what you hope to achieve by spending the summer at Mountain Lake. If any mentor options or project areas appeal to you, please let us know, and why. 
  2. Transcript and GPAs. Electronic file of official or unofficial transcript must be uploaded with the application.
  3. One recommendation from a research mentor, academic advisor, or science instructor who knows you and your potential for research well. Nonacademic or "community" referees (e.g. coaches, religious leaders) are much less valuable.  Letter writers must complete the Reference Letter Form with their letter before the application deadline. You should provide your letter writer with the link to the reference letter form - http://mlbs.org/reureference. It is also a menu choice on REU program pull-down menu. You must also make sure your email address that you provide us in your application matches, exactly, the email address you give your letter writer.  Your email address is how we link applications and reference letters.  

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