Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Summer Program in Interdisciplinary Environmental Research

June 1 - August 6, 2011

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED. NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE SENT BY MARCH 18TH

Conduct research on water and waste water provision, control and treatment, air quality and pollution, and solid waste management that addresses the sustainability of our natural and built environment to support healthy communities. TIER faculty mentors will provide REU student participants with research opportunities addressing emerging environmental challenges as seen in Tampa, a rapidly urbanizing coastal community. The majority of faculty research has universal applications and efforts will be made to focus on the applicability to the local environment of the REU site to provide real world linkages for the REU student participants. Learn to grasp and incorporate ethical and sustainability concepts into your work.

The objectives are

• to train student participants in the steps required for scientific research
• to encourage student participants to pursue an advanced degree in an environmentally related area of research
• to encourage students to consider the ethical aspects surrounding their research and the contribution of the research to sustaining healthy communities
• to establish a sustainable mechanism for broadening participation in academic research
• to create a collaborative community committed to mentoring and advising innovative undergraduate experiences that advance faculty research.

Research faculty mentors from the Civil and Environmental and Chemical Engineering Departments , Department of Biology and the College of Public Health. Faculty and graduate students will interact with undergraduate REU students through individual research projects, weekly research seminars, brown-bag student discussion sessions , a journal club, social and community activities, technical and professional training workshops and outings , and e-forums.

Eligibility: REU participants must be undergraduate students and must be citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.

Undergraduate participants receive a stipend of approximately $4,750 plus an allowance for travel to/from Tampa, FL, and housing. Students will be housed in University Housing in 4 bedroom apartments. These apartments are furnished and include a kitchen and living room and are within walking distance of all the research laboratories. Students participating in the REU program will live in the same apartment building, thus facilitating additional student-student interaction. Each student will receive a University ID card, which will allow library privileges, use of the university shuttle bus system, use of the recreational facilities and access to the computer labs on campus. Housing costs are covered by the program. Students are advised to have their own private health insurance for use with a local walk in clinic in the area. The USF Health Center is also available for use, and has a $75 summer fee that is not covered by the program

 Program Directors: