The Department of Biological Sciences invites you to participate in a summer research experience for undergraduate students from campuses, colleges and universities outside the University of South Carolina.

Students will gain research experience working in research labs on diverse topics relating to evolutionary biology.

Students will receive financial support and housing in an apartment on campus.

This program is for undergraduate students interested in gaining a hands on experience in research in evolutionary biology. The program emphasizes the interface between molecular genetics and organismal-level processes. Students will learn about hypothesis generation and testing, as well as the techniques and experimental designs employed in molecular biology and one or more other subspecialty areas - including behavior, life history evolution, systematics, population biology, or ecological physiology. Students will present summaries of their work in mini-symposium at the end of the summer. Undergraduate students from any academic institution except the Columbia campus of the University of South Carolina are invited to apply. Students from underrepresented groups and smaller undergraduate institutions are especially encouraged to apply. US citizenship or permanent residency is required.

This program has been supported from 1999 - 2010 by the National Science Foundation.

RET program. We have two slots for midlands area high school or middle school science teachers who want an in depth research experience to enhance their classroom teaching. Click here for more information.

 

Application and Support

Support

$4000 stipend to each participating student
Housing on campus will be provided by the program (no cost to student).
Students must pay for food and other expenses.

Applications

Program Dates: June 1 – August 1, 2009

Who? Any US student or permanent resident enrolled in a four year degree program may apply. However, students currently enrolled at the USC Columbia campus should apply to the Howard Hughes Program (contact Dr. Loren Knapp). Applications from minority students or students at strictly undergraduate institutions are especially encouraged.

How to apply: Applications may be made using the Internet application link.
Letters of recommendation: Please have two letters of recommendation sent to Dr. Ely by E-mail or to the postal address below.

Transcripts: No transcript is necessary.

Deadline: Students interested in the 2009 program should apply or at least contact Dr. Ely no later than February 26, 2009.

Click here for Internet Application Form

To Contact the Program Director:

Dr. Bert Ely
Department of Biological Sciences
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
803-777-2768 (office)
803-777-4002 (fax)
ely@biol.sc.edu