Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and Teachers (RET): Global Change and Its Impacts
Funded by the National Science Foundation
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OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM
The University of Texas at Austin Environmental Science Institute (ESI) offers a program to get undergraduates and teachers involved in integrated environmental science research in the area of Global Change and Its Impacts. In our program, undergraduate students conduct environmental research that cuts across disciplinary boundaries. The program accepts students from across the country and teachers from the Austin area, and is funded by a National Science Foundation grant called “Research Experience for Undergraduates” (REU) and “Research Experiences for Teachers” (RET).
Participants spend ten weeks designing a research project, participating in a research group, and presenting their work. The program includes environmental science seminars, career development workshops, social outings, and field experiences. These 1-2 day field experiences may require physical exertion involving hiking, caving, camping, and/or boat ride in hot and inclement conditions.
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Particpants explore research in the fields of ecology, geology, hydrogeology, civil engineering, urban planning, GIS, and coastal ecology. There will be opportunities to visit with professionals in environmental consulting firms and government agencies, and networking events and professional development for teachers.
Students and teachers in the program will each work in a faculty-mentored research group. The REU/ RET cohort will meet regularly for group projects and field outings.
The ESI REU and RET program is more than just research – there will be a variety of social activities throughout the summer, and field trips to provide hands-on experience in areas outside of your own research.
The program streses the connections between scientific and policy fields related to the environment in the area of Global Change. Why is an interdisciplinary approach to Global Change issues important? Think about trying to manage complex environmental problems such as climate impacts on water resources. These problems cannot be approached successfully without considering the impacts of human influence on water or land use. The program illustrates approaches to attacking difficult, multidimensional environmental issues. The University of Texas at Austin is home to top faculty and researchers in the area of global change research. ESI’s mission brings together researchers from a variety of disciplines, and as such allows particpants to gain a larger perspective on the state of global change science.
SCHEDULE AND SUPPORT
The ten-week program runs from the first week of June to the first week of August 2010. All undergraduate students are housed in a UT dormitory, and the costs of the dormitory and meal plan are included in the program. Participating teachers are not required to stay on cmapus and will not be provided housing. All participants receive a stipend of $4,500 for the summer, and some travel funds will be available to help defray the cost of traveling to Austin. Receipt of the full stipend amount will be contingent upon completion of the program requirements.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Students in their sophomore or junior years of college, with strong credentials and majoring in biology, ecology, geological sciences, civil engineering, marine science, chemistry, or any other environmentally-related discipline, are encouraged to apply.
Austin area teachers of any experience are also encouraged to apply. Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
APPLICATIONS
The application deadline is February 1, 2010.
Applications may be downloaded below:
For Students, the application for the summer program requires submission of an application form, an undergraduate transcript, two letters of recommendation from faculty at the undergraduate institution, and a one page (double-spaced) personal essay stating the applicant’s career goals and academic interests.
For Teachers, the application requires submission of an application form, a letter of recommendation form, and a one page (double-spaced) personal essay stating the applicant’s area of study interest.
These items should be sent electronically to:
Roy Rich
rrich@mail.utexas.edu
Environmental Science Institute
1 University Station C9000
Austin, Texas 78712
Phone: 512.471-5847
Building: EPS 3.102A
Please review our FAQ for common questions. If your question is not answered send all inquiries to Dr. Jay Banner, Environmental Science Institute, University of Texas at Austin, banner@mail.utexas.edu.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0552940. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
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