REU Site: Coastal Marine Science Undergraduate Research Opportunities at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science

College Of William & Mary Virginia Institute Of Marine Science, Gloucester Point VA

Investigators

Abstract

This award provides renewed funding for an REU site at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), College of William and Mary. The site has been funded by NSF since 1989. From 1997-2005, NSF supported 103 interns, of which 40% were from underrepresented groups and 74% were female. This award provides funding to support ten undergraduate students during a 10-week summer research internship. The program will select new students each summer for five years. The internship program focuses on interdisciplinary coastal marine science, particularly processes operating in the local estuarine environment. Research areas available for students include marine ecology, biological and chemical oceanography, biogeochemistry, geological and physical oceanography, marine fisheries, and marine policy. Students receive a stipend, housing and transportation costs to and from VIMS. They are mentored by VIMS faculty while conducting their independent research project, and they are expected to prepare a final paper and give a final oral presentation of their results. This award will provide a total of 50 students with an in-depth independent research experience and training that will help them succeed in scientific careers.