Summer Research Opportunities

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) and other undergraduate research-based programs are offered during the summer in most fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These programs are held at leading research universities and laboratories for 6-10 weeks and are usually intended for students after their sophomore and junior years of college. A student's time at an REU is generally devoted to working in small groups with students from other undergraduate institutions on original research projects.

REU programs usually pay each student a stipend of several thousand dollars to participate. In addition, they often cover travel and living expenses for the duration of the program and fund travel to present research at regional and national conferences.

Benefits of attending an REU program:

REU programs help students explore their field of study beyond the standard undergraduate curriculum.
Participating in an REU strengthens a resume or graduate school application.
Working with students and faculty from other colleges and universities can result in valuable networking connections.
Students gain exposure to research-based careers.

Resources:

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has a list of the numerous summer research programs it sponsors
The American Mathematical Society (AMS) has a list of REUs in mathematics
Summer Program for Women in Mathematics (website) at the George Washington University in Washington D.C.
Summer Mathematics Program for Women (website) at Carleton College in Minnesota
Summer Research Programs in the Biosciences (website) at the University of Iowa
Student Research Opportunities (website) at Des Moines University
The Post-baccalaureate Research and Education Program (PREP) at the University of New Mexico for graduating seniors from a variety of science, mathematics and engineering programs. UNM Prep is a one-year program for students to work full time in a biomedical related research laboratory while preparing to apply and be accepted into a biomedical related graduate program.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources sponsors Pollution Prevention Internships (internships / program). The program is designed to assist companies in making operational improvements to accomplish waste or energy reduction goals with cost savings.
Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships (website) with the American Physiological Society
The Minnesota Department of Resources Stream Habitat Program (website) offers internship positions to assist with various freshwater mussel research activities in both the Spring and Summer.
Summer in Biomedical Science (SIBS) undergraduate research program in the department of pathology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
The Mathematical Sciences Research Institute Undergraduate Program (MSRI-UP) at U.C.-Berkeley in computational mathematics.
The Medical College of Wisconsin has a Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) in their Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with a background in science and an interest in graduate school. The SPUR program "provides the opportunity for students to learn first-hand the potential of the biomedical sciences as an interesting and fulfilling career." This program accepts students who are not U.S. citizens.
Summer Research Program (SRP) at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln offers experiences in many fields
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURFP) in the department of chemistry at Missouri State University
The Oak Ridge Associated Universities Internship Program (ORAU) has an extensive list of summer internships available in many disciplines.
Industrial Math Summer School (MITACS) at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver is a month-long research experience in mathematical modeling. There is no stipend, but travel and accomodation will be covered.
Willamette Valley REU-RET Consortium for Mathematics Research (website) is a summer research experience for undergraduate math students and teachers of mathematics. One of the four areas of research this year is computer science.
The Computational and Systems Biology Summer Institute (CSBSI) at Iowa State University is supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The program introduces students to integrated biology and systems biology, with no prior experience required.
EDGE 2008 Summer Program (EDGE) will be held at Pomona College. It is designed for women and minority students who are graduating seniors and who have applied to graduate programs in the mathematical sciences.
The University of North Carolina-Asheville has an REU program (website) in mathematics that is designed to be accessible to students who have just completed their first or second years of mathematics study.
The National Undergraduate Fellowship Program in Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy Sciences (website / flyer) is administered by the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows Program (website / flyer)strengthens the connections between scientists and journalists by placing advanced science, mathematics and engineering students in newsrooms across the country.
Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) at universities in Germany (flyer)
Summer Microbiology Undergraduate Research Program (website) at the University of Iowa accepts students after their sophomore and junior years.
The Program for Women in Science and Engineering (website / website) at Iowa State University has internships that are open to students after the completion of their freshman year of college.
The Department of Homeland Security has a summer intership program for students in homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. (HS-STEM / flyer)
The Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science and the Homeland Security Center for Dynamic Data Analysis sponsor programs (website / website) for students majoring in computer science or mathematics, several of which include a trip to the Czech Republic.
The University of Iowa Summer Undergraduate MSTP Research (SUMR) program provides students interested in future combined MD/PhD trainin an exposure to the career of the physician-scientist.
NEW The Simpson College mathematics department will hold its first Albert and Greta Bryan Summer Research Program for its mathematics majors next summer. (website)
NEW Research internships at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy's largest multi-purpose laboratory. (website)
NEW The Stowers Scholars Program for students in the biological and physical sciences at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City. (website)
NEW The Computational and Systems Biology Summer Institute (CSBSI) at Iowa State University introduces students to integrated biology and systems biology. No prior experience in these fields is required.
NEW The Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy has a summer program for pre-service teachers (PST)
NEW The Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy also has Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) available for all students, including students between their undergraduate studies and graduate school.
NEW The Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation in La Crosse, Wisconsin, has summer internships available. (flyer)
NEW The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech has three summer research opportunities for undergraduate students.
NEW The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research has a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) to involve undergraduate students at the end of their sophomore or junior year in BER-supported global change research, then continue this experience during subsequent undergraduate summers.

Tips on applying to summer research programs:

The Division of Natural Sciences supports undergraduate research, so in your applications inform the programs that you have the opportunity to expand on your summer research after you return to Simpson College.
Specialize your applications for each of the programs. When applying to a program, indicate why you are interested in that program specifically.
Each program has different requirements for its participants, so pay close attention to them. For example, some programs expect their participants to have completed certain classes and many require U.S. citizenship.
Emphasize your potential by mentioning any undergraduate research you have completed and any outstanding projects or term papers you have completed for your classes.
Indicate any interest in graduate school that you may have.
Note that programs in biological or medical fields generally prefer students who have an interest in graduate school rather than students who are strictly interested in medical school.
Every application will require recommendation letters, so do not wait until the last minute to request them from your professors.

Simpson students who completed research experiences in Summer 2007:

Heidi Arjes at the University of Kassel in Germany (Biology)
Jennifer Binning at the University of Missouri-Columbia (Chemistry)
Patrick Carlson at the University of New Mexico (Computer Science)
Megan Crawford at Kemin Industries, Inc. (Biology)
Casie Schmitt at University of Oklahoma (Physics)
Nate Smith at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Chemistry)
Katie Wiggenjost at Des Moines University (Biology)
Mack Worthington at Des Moines University (Biology)

Simpson students who completed research experiences in Summer 2006:

Elise Ahrens at the University of Iowa College of Medicine (Biology)
Jonna Anderson at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Biology and Mathematics)
Heidi Arjes at the University of Pittsburgh (Biology)
Tasha Beenken at Des Moines University (Biology)
Patrick Carlson at the University of New Mexico (Computer Science)
Carrie Christensen at Des Moines University (Biology)
Jean Clipperton at Valparaiso University (Mathematics)
Laura Hupp at the University of Maryland - Baltimore County (Biology)
Reid Leichty at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi (Biology)
Derek Lyons at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Chemistry)
Joan Ritho at Des Moines University (Biology)
Tracy Robson at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Biology and Mathematics)
Britni Stevens at Des Moines University (Biology)
Ben Sweet at the Medical University of Ohio at Toledo (Biology)


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Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) and other undergraduate research-based programs are offered during the summer in most fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These programs are held at leading research universities and laboratories for 6-10 weeks and are usually intended for students after their sophomore and junior years of college. A student's time at an REU is generally devoted to working in small groups with students from other undergraduate institutions on original research projects. REU programs usually pay each student a stipend of several thousand dollars to participate. In addition, they often cover travel and living expenses for the duration of the program and fund travel to present research at regional and national conferences. Benefits of attending an REU program: REU programs help students explore their field of study beyond the standard undergraduate curriculum. Participating in an REU strengthens a resume or graduate school application. Working with students and faculty from other colleges and universities can result in valuable networking connections. Students gain exposure to research-based careers. Resources: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has a list of the numerous summer research programs it sponsors The American Mathematical Society (AMS) has a list of REUs in mathematics Summer Program for Women in Mathematics (website) at the George Washington University in Washington D.C. Summer Mathematics Program for Women (website) at Carleton College in Minnesota Summer Research Programs in the Biosciences (website) at the University of Iowa Student Research Opportunities (website) at Des Moines University The Post-baccalaureate Research and Education Program (PREP) at the University of New Mexico for graduating seniors from a variety of science, mathematics and engineering programs. UNM Prep is a one-year program for students to work full time in a biomedical related research laboratory while preparing to apply and be accepted into a biomedical related graduate program. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources sponsors Pollution Prevention Internships (internships / program). The program is designed to assist companies in making operational improvements to accomplish waste or energy reduction goals with cost savings. Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships (website) with the American Physiological Society The Minnesota Department of Resources Stream Habitat Program (website) offers internship positions to assist with various freshwater mussel research activities in both the Spring and Summer. Summer in Biomedical Science (SIBS) undergraduate research program in the department of pathology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham The Mathematical Sciences Research Institute Undergraduate Program (MSRI-UP) at U.C.-Berkeley in computational mathematics. The Medical College of Wisconsin has a Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) in their Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors with a background in science and an interest in graduate school. The SPUR program "provides the opportunity for students to learn first-hand the potential of the biomedical sciences as an interesting and fulfilling career." This program accepts students who are not U.S. citizens. Summer Research Program (SRP) at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln offers experiences in many fields Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURFP) in the department of chemistry at Missouri State University The Oak Ridge Associated Universities Internship Program (ORAU) has an extensive list of summer internships available in many disciplines. Industrial Math Summer School (MITACS) at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver is a month-long research experience in mathematical modeling. There is no stipend, but travel and accomodation will be covered. Willamette Valley REU-RET Consortium for Mathematics Research (website) is a summer research experience for undergraduate math students and teachers of mathematics. One of the four areas of research this year is computer science. The Computational and Systems Biology Summer Institute (CSBSI) at Iowa State University is supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. The program introduces students to integrated biology and systems biology, with no prior experience required. EDGE 2008 Summer Program (EDGE) will be held at Pomona College. It is designed for women and minority students who are graduating seniors and who have applied to graduate programs in the mathematical sciences. The University of North Carolina-Asheville has an REU program (website) in mathematics that is designed to be accessible to students who have just completed their first or second years of mathematics study. The National Undergraduate Fellowship Program in Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy Sciences (website / flyer) is administered by the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows Program (website / flyer)strengthens the connections between scientists and journalists by placing advanced science, mathematics and engineering students in newsrooms across the country. Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) at universities in Germany (flyer) Summer Microbiology Undergraduate Research Program (website) at the University of Iowa accepts students after their sophomore and junior years. The Program for Women in Science and Engineering (website / website) at Iowa State University has internships that are open to students after the completion of their freshman year of college. The Department of Homeland Security has a summer intership program for students in homeland security related science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. (HS-STEM / flyer) The Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science and the Homeland Security Center for Dynamic Data Analysis sponsor programs (website / website) for students majoring in computer science or mathematics, several of which include a trip to the Czech Republic. The University of Iowa Summer Undergraduate MSTP Research (SUMR) program provides students interested in future combined MD/PhD trainin an exposure to the career of the physician-scientist. NEW The Simpson College mathematics department will hold its first Albert and Greta Bryan Summer Research Program for its mathematics majors next summer. (website) NEW Research internships at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the U.S. Department of Energy's largest multi-purpose laboratory. (website) NEW The Stowers Scholars Program for students in the biological and physical sciences at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City. (website) NEW The Computational and Systems Biology Summer Institute (CSBSI) at Iowa State University introduces students to integrated biology and systems biology. No prior experience in these fields is required. NEW The Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy has a summer program for pre-service teachers (PST) NEW The Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy also has Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) available for all students, including students between their undergraduate studies and graduate school. NEW The Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation in La Crosse, Wisconsin, has summer internships available. (flyer) NEW The Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech has three summer research opportunities for undergraduate students. NEW The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Biological and Environmental Research has a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) to involve undergraduate students at the end of their sophomore or junior year in BER-supported global change research, then continue this experience during subsequent undergraduate summers. Tips on applying to summer research programs: The Division of Natural Sciences supports undergraduate research, so in your applications inform the programs that you have the opportunity to expand on your summer research after you return to Simpson College. Specialize your applications for each of the programs. When applying to a program, indicate why you are interested in that program specifically. Each program has different requirements for its participants, so pay close attention to them. For example, some programs expect their participants to have completed certain classes and many require U.S. citizenship. Emphasize your potential by mentioning any undergraduate research you have completed and any outstanding projects or term papers you have completed for your classes. Indicate any interest in graduate school that you may have. Note that programs in biological or medical fields generally prefer students who have an interest in graduate school rather than students who are strictly interested in medical school. Every application will require recommendation letters, so do not wait until the last minute to request them from your professors. Simpson students who completed research experiences in Summer 2007: Heidi Arjes at the University of Kassel in Germany (Biology) Jennifer Binning at the University of Missouri-Columbia (Chemistry) Patrick Carlson at the University of New Mexico (Computer Science) Megan Crawford at Kemin Industries, Inc. (Biology) Casie Schmitt at University of Oklahoma (Physics) Nate Smith at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Chemistry) Katie Wiggenjost at Des Moines University (Biology) Mack Worthington at Des Moines University (Biology) Simpson students who completed research experiences in Summer 2006: Elise Ahrens at the University of Iowa College of Medicine (Biology) Jonna Anderson at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Biology and Mathematics) Heidi Arjes at the University of Pittsburgh (Biology) Tasha Beenken at Des Moines University (Biology) Patrick Carlson at the University of New Mexico (Computer Science) Carrie Christensen at Des Moines University (Biology) Jean Clipperton at Valparaiso University (Mathematics) Laura Hupp at the University of Maryland - Baltimore County (Biology) Reid Leichty at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi (Biology) Derek Lyons at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Chemistry) Joan Ritho at Des Moines University (Biology) Tracy Robson at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Biology and Mathematics) Britni Stevens at Des Moines University (Biology) Ben Sweet at the Medical University of Ohio at Toledo (Biology)
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