Program Dates: May 26 - August 5, 2009

The purpose of this program is to provide undergraduate students, especially under-represented minority and first-generation college students, with the opportunity to participate in an intensive research program. This experience will prepare those students for graduate work in the behavioral and conservation sciences. Each student in the program will be paired with a faculty research mentor working on her/his on-going research projects. This project is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation - Research Experiences for Undergraduates program.

The program consists of several parts. The students will take part in a ten (10) week session introducing them to the fields of behavioral and conservation sciences. This session will include research seminars on the projects of the research and teaching faculty, lectures on recent research discoveries, and classroom instruction in research design and statistical methods, computer use, and ethical behavior in the use of animal and human subjects in research.

Students will also work directly with faculty in their labs on on-going research projects.

For NAU students, the program will continue into the fall semester with the students engaged in research projects with their faculty mentors. Additionally, the students will register for a research seminar which will provide a series of lectures and discussions on the behavioral and conservation sciences. Students will be expected to present the results of their research projects to their peers and the faculty mentors at the end of the semester. Students are also encouraged to travel to professional meetings with their research mentor to present their research results.

The grant covers the following student expenses:

1. $4500 summer stipend
2. $1100 housing allowance
3. $700 towards expenses related to the research project and training sessions
4. Round trip air travel to Flagstaff to participate in the REU program is available for students from other colleges or universities.

Requirements for Participation:

1. You must be a U. S. citizen or a legal resident of the U.S.
2. Completed Application Form*
3. Demonstration of high academic performance (provide student copy of transcripts from all colleges/universities attended; official transcripts will be requested if you are chosen for the program)*.
4. Two letters of reference from Professors, Advisors, or Employers*
5. A statement of your interest in doing undergraduate research in behavioral and conservation sciences, in the context of your career goals.*
6. Proof of measles immunization.*
7. Student participants are expected to devote full-time to their research training and projects. Students are not allowed to register for additional classes or have employment during the NAU summer program. Preference will not be given to first time applicants over those who have participated in the program in previous years.

*Please include with application material, due by February 16, 2009.

For students working with Biology Department faculty, some calculus or statistics, physiology or cell and molecular biology, and biochemistry classes are recommended.

For a list of mentors and their research backgrounds, click here.

The summer session program will begin when students arrive in Flagstaff on May 28, 2009.

Send Application materials by February 16, 2009 to:

REU Graduate Coordinator, c/o Becky Beresic-Perrins
Department of Biological Sciences            
Northern Arizona University
Box 5640
Flagstaff, AZ 86011

If you have further questions, contact Becky Beresic-Perrins: rkb32@nau.edu