SURE 2014 Program - Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences
The science departments at Indiana State University solicit applications from students interested in participating in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences (SURE) 2014 Program. The program is open to all ISU undergraduates who wish to pursue research in the natural sciences and intend enroll in classes at ISU in the fall semester of 2014. Because the science faculty are particularly interested in encouraging students who are early in their undergraduate career to pursue research, it is anticipated that several fellowships will be offered to first- and second-year students. Fellowships are generally offered to students who have completed at least one year of coursework in biology, chemistry, geology, and/or physics by May 2014.
RESEARCH COMMITMENT AND STIPEND
Research fellows will be awarded a $3,500 stipend for full-time (~40 hrs/wk) effort or a $1,750 stipend for half-time (~20 hrs/wk). It is generally expected that full-time research fellows consider this experience their principal source of income for the summer. The faculty are not particularly interested in offering full-time fellowships to students who have significant employment commitments outside the SURE program. Students may hold a part-time job, in addition to their full-time fellowship, but their work hours for that job should be largely limited to weekends.
In addition to hands-on research, the SURE research fellows and their faculty advisors will participate in a Friday seminar series. Research fellows will periodically give five-minute presentations of their research progress during the course of the summer. Research fellows will also have the opportunity to present their work at the SURE 2014 Research Symposium to be held at the conclusion of the 10-week experience. Students will be encouraged to continue their research and present their activities at regional and/or national research symposia during the 2014-2015 academic year.
RESEARCH AND SUMMER CLASSES
Students who wish to take summer classes should not apply for full-time fellowships. Students on half-time fellowships will generally have sufficient time outside the research experience to take one class on campus in each of the two summer sessions (Summer I and II). The student should discuss his or her interest in summer coursework with their faculty research supervisor before registering for any summer classes.
Students may register for transcript credit for their summer research experience, typically earning up to one credit hour per 50 hours in the research laboratory. There are other obligations (such as formal oral and written reports) that may be required of the student, and the student is responsible for paying any course fees. Interested students should speak to their academic advisor.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Research fellowships will be awarded via a competitive selection process. Students seeking a summer fellowship are strongly encouraged to speak directly to potential research advisors regarding their participation in research projects of interest. Each student will complete an application form listing their preference of up to three projects that they are interested in pursuing. Application forms are due to the Department of Chemistry Office by noon, Friday, February 14, 2014.
Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of interest, qualification, and academic performance. The committee will begin awarding fellowships in mid-February, requesting that awardees return signed letters of acceptance. All applicants will be notified of the final outcome of the selection process by no later than Friday, March 7, 2014.
A list of program guidelines, participating faculty, and application forms for SURE 2014 are available here:
2013 PARTICIPANTS
