Program Overview
Description
The Marine Resources Division of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the cooperation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-NOAA) and state agencies is offering undergraduate minority science students internship positions at the Marine Resources Center on James Island (near Charleston), South Carolina. The 10-week program will be administered by staff of the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Research mentors and class instructors will be drawn from MRD staff at the Marine Resources Research Institute (MRRI), as well as from the College of Charleston (COC), Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Hollings Marine Laboratory (HML), Center for Coastal Ecosystem Health and Bio-molecular Research (CCEHBR) –(NOS/NOAA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), all situated within the Marine Resources Center in Charleston, South Carolina. Students will be offered a supportive yet challenging scientific experience: they will engage with scientific mentors to design and complete their own rigorous scientific project, take classes, participate in field work, present their work to peers, and have the chance to meet successful minority scientists.
In spring 2010, interns will be selected to work for ten weeks (June 2-August 6) in Charleston, SC. Applications will be accepted from science majors who have at least a 2.5 GPA in their major courses (2.0 overall). College transcripts and letters of recommendation from two professors are required. Applicants must provide written statements of fields of interest and goals. Students will be evaluated via scheduled telephone interviews and the information presented in their applications. Mentors experienced in various fields of marine, environmental and coastal ocean science (including chemistry, marine biology, marine policy, toxicology, microbiology, fisheries science, marine, estuarine and wetland ecology) will assist interns in completing independent research projects. Students will develop their research project, while learning scientific problem solving, writing and presentation skills. At the conclusion of the program, students will complete written reports and make oral presentations of their summer research. Participants will also receive classroom instruction on topics that will assist them with completion of their research and presentations. Students will receive financial support for the 10 week program.
Goals of the Program
- Increase the career and academic participation of minorities in the fields of marine, environmental and coastal ocean science.
- Enhance the knowledge and research/technical skills of minority students in the sciences, while developing their confidence in preparing written and oral presentations.
- Provide students the opportunity to interact with professional scientists to see first hand the benefits of obtaining advanced degrees in marine, environmental, and administrative career development.
- Encourage students to increase their qualifications in science fields by continuing their education through graduate school.
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