|
Since 1993,
the Department of Molecular Genetics has directed a
highly successful summer Research Experience for Undergraduates
(REU) program sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
The program has attracted exceptional students from
many institutions from around the nation. The students
participate in a wide variety of research projects all
of which involve the application of molecular biological
approaches to carry out investigations in genetics,
cell biology and development biology. The REU experience
is designed to immerse the students in an intense yet
rewarding research experience and to encourage them
to pursue a career in biological research.
Research
in the Department of Molecular Genetics is focused on
the analysis of problems in genetics, cell biology and
developmental biology at the molecular level. A variety
of biological model systems are used in these analyses,
including viruses, fungi, plants, flies, amphibia and
mammalian cells. In spite of the diversity of biological
systems and specific cellular and developmental processes
that are analyzed, all laboratories use genetic engineering
approaches (including the isolation, analysis, modification
and transfer of genes) in their investigations. This
common foundation will facilitate
communication among the participants in the program
and enable them to gain an appreciation of the power
of modern molecular genetic approaches to solve a wide
variety of fundamental problems in the biological sciences.
Students will carry out an intensive 10 week summer
research program that involves them in a specific research
problem. The goal of the MG-REU is to train and educate
students in the experimental approaches that are used
to attack a problem in modern Molecular Genetics. Additionally,
the program is designed to enhance their ability to
communicate scientific information to others. Particular
emphasis will be placed on the students' independent
planning of experiments, interpretation of experimental
data, presentation of their observations to other students
and faculty, and preparation of a research document
summarizing results from the project.
June 16 to August 22, 2003
- Students
will be engaged in full-time research activities
- Research
will be done in laboratories under the supervision
of faculty
- Specialized
training in laboratory safety is included in the
program
- A number
of organized, scheduled events are included
- Must
be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
- Must
be enrolled as a full-time student in a U.S. college
or university
- Should
have completed some basic course work in chemistry,
biology and physics
- Should
have a grade point average greater than 3.25 to
be competitive
- Stipend
(salary) of $3,000 for the summer
- Travel
allowance
- Accommodations
in University housing
- A meals
allowance
- Full
access to all university facilities
Students who are admitted into the program will be
contacted by their faculty preceptors as early as possible
prior to the start of the program and will be provided
with appropriate background reading materials. Upon
their arrival, the students will meet with their preceptors,
discuss the background readings and research project
in detail, and begin their research projects.
The
MG-REU students will work closely with the faculty mentor
and with the graduate students, postdocs and technicians
in their laboratories. These interactions will be especially
important as the student is introduced to the theoretical
background of the research problem that is being investigated,
learns the basic procedures and experimental strategies,
and begins to perform experiments. The MG-REU student
will meet with the faculty advisor and laboratory personnel
on a daily basis during the first few weeks of the project.
During these meetings, students will be provided with
and will discuss background material (from text books
and from the current research literature) that is relevant
to the research problem. The student will be assisted
with the performance of the experiment, the analysis
of the results and the planning of subsequent experiments.
As the student gains experience, he/she will be expected
to assume greater independence in planning, performing
and interpreting the results of each experiment and
in reading the scientific literature.
The MG-REU students will be housed in an air conditioned
OSU dormitory and will receive a food allowance. Students
will be issued an OSU ID card that will allow access
to all libraries and athletic facilities.
The main campus is located in Columbus, Ohio, the state's
capital and nation's 16th largest city. Columbus is
a thriving and exciting city during the summer months,
hosting the Ohio State Fair, theaters, arts and crafts
shows, museums and a nationally acclaimed zoo, in addition
to professional sporting events and numerous parks.
The Ohio State University campus (located in northwest
Columbus) is also a focus of entertainment activities
in the summer months (Summer Theater, Columbus Symphony
and various other concerts).
Most of our researchers are in the Biological Sciences
Building, a ten story research facility with adjoining
new connector building. Other faculty are based at the
new Biotechnology Center. All labs are equipped with
modern equipment and state of the art facilities.
Applying for the OSU Molecular Genetics REU program
is simple and can be completed in two ways:
- To print a copy of the MG-REU application click
here to view the form and use your browser's
print button to print the pages.
- To print a recommendation form for the MG-REU
Program click
here to view the form and use your browser's
print button to print the pages.
- Send or Fax the printed copies of both of these
forms to the following address:
MG-REU
Dept. of Molecular Genetics
984 BioSci Bldg.
484 W. 12th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
TEL: 614-292-8084
FAX: 614-292-4466
|
