Overview:
Our REU students will be immersed in an interdisciplinary research environment with the opportunity to explore the mechanistic basis of environmental change from genes to ecosystems. Understanding the processes governing environmental change is at the core of addressing and solving the world’s growing list of environmental issues. Our goal is to enhance students’ understanding of environmental science, and to prepare them to contribute to the advancement of a uniquely interdisciplinary field of research.
In addition, we will provide intensive training and experience with a range of tools, including the use of stable isotopes, molecular techniques, and other analytical methods; the use of GIS, bioinformatics and other intensive computational methods; and sophisticated statistical and mathematical modeling. Students will participate in field research on campus lands at St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges, and the St. Olaf College Field Station at Weaver Dunes. These sites include a unique series of wetland, forest, and prairie restoration sites that provide a field laboratory for research questions ranging from soil biogeochemistry to population dynamics of small mammals to genetics and evolutionary ecology of trees and reptiles.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have completed one environmentally related course (either in Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental Studies). High school graduates not enrolled in college and students who have received their bachelor's degrees are not eligible. The program can only support citizens and permanent residents of the United States. Students who have limited opportunity for research at their home institution, are interested in pursuing a scientific career, or are members of underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
All this experience AND I get paid?
Yep!:
- $5,000 stipend (for 10 weeks)
- free housing on St. Olaf’s campus
- $1,000 reimbursement for travel expenses (to and from St. Olaf & professional conferences)
- Weekly field trips/cookouts/kickball tournaments!!
- Weekly guest speakers and seminars
Dates:
Application deadline: March 1, 2012
Notification of acceptance: To be announced
Program dates: May 29 - Aug 4, 2012
Program Contact:
Diane Angell or Steve Freedberg
St. Olaf College
Departments of Biology and Environmental Studies
1520 Saint Olaf Ave.
Northfield, MN 55057
Phone: 507.786.3101 (Diane), 507.786.3102 (Steve)
email:reu@stolaf.edu (If you sent an email to last year's address, stolaf.reu@gmail.com, please resend your question to reu@stolaf.edu).