A cooperative program between the University of Arizona and Centre, Colorado, Gustavus Adolphus, Luther, Macalester, Marian College, Mt. Holyoke, and Oberlin Colleges
Martha Hawes, Coordinator
Division of Plant Pathology & Microbiology
520-621-5490
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The Division of Plant Pathology & Microbiology offers fellowships to allow outstanding juniors and seniors to experience independent research during an intensive four-week internship. Students work full time with scientists whose interest encompass basic and applied research in plant, human, and environmental health. Projects involve the use of genomics and other molecular biological techniques to test specific hypotheses about how organisms function and interact with each other.
Winter term fellows chosen competitively from each of the participating undergraduate colleges. The fellowships cover the cost of housing, but students are responsible for their own travel, food and miscellaneous expenses while in Tucson. |
PURPOSE: The Winter Term program was started in 1990, to provide students an opportunity for intensive "hands-on" research experience. Students have their own research projects, and are active members of the laboratories they choose. Students take part in weekly laboratory meetings, and generally present a summary of their research accomplishments at such meetings at the end of their stay. In addition, students have the opportunity to attend weekly departmental and interdisciplinary seminars and to take part in graduate level journal clubs and discussion groups. The University of Arizona also has an active Howard Hughes Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP), with more than 100 students, with Winter Term Fellows often taking part in activities sponsored by UBRP.
Students receive academic credit from their colleges, and the University of Arizona provides financial support to pay for housing. The program is jointly sponsored by The College of Agriculture and the Division of Plant Pathology & Microbiology. Costs of the student's research are provided.
BENEFITS: Former Winter Term Fellows have helped us identify the important benefits of the program, apart from learning research techniques. The program has provided valuable insight into the types of labs that best suit individuals, and the kinds of questions to ask of prospective graduate programs. Numerous Fellows have returned to Tucson to work as full time research assistants during the summer. Students also have made professional contacts who served as references for graduate school, and provided information about graduate programs throughout the world. One year a winter term fellow met faculty who had been educated or had worked in all six of the graduate programs to which he had applied, at the opening reception.
APPLICATIONS: Undergraduates majoring in biochemistry, biology, ecology, molecular and cellular biology, genetics, or other related disciplines are qualified. Juniors and seniors, and sophomores with special permission, who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, are qualified to apply for the program. A statement summarizing the student's background, career goals, and the reason for wanting to participate in the Winter Term Program is required. |
Students in this program work with an interdisciplinary group of scientists using diverse model systems including plants and microorganisms to examine the biology, ecology, and evolutionary biology of living systems. Such basic research provides new ways to develop environmentally sensitive products for medicine and agriculture.
Faculty information to be provided later.
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