Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program

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An REU internship at BIOS is a great way to gain the experience necessary to embark on graduate studies or careers in the marine and atmospheric sciences! The most recent examples of BIOS REU success can be found in recent news. 

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences has received National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) funding to support 8 fellowships for undergraduate student research at BIOS during fall 2014. This program provides recipients with the opportunity to design and conduct intensive, hands-on research projects under faculty supervision and mentorship in several active and ongoing research areas, including:

• Biology, chemistry, and physics of the open ocean
• Biology, physiology, and biochemistry of reef building corals and reef ecosystems
• Molecular biology of marine organisms
• Environmental chemistry of Bermuda's atmosphere and inshore waters
• Effects and consequences of global environmental change

Throughout the semester, REU students will give presentations that outline their research topic, methods, and results, including a final presentation to BIOS faculty, staff, and visiting students. REU students will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of field excursions to learn about Bermuda's natural history, as well as workshops and seminars given by BIOS faculty. In 2014, REU students will arrive at BIOS on September 1 and depart on November 23. 

Eligibility and Terms of Internship

Students who have completed at least one year of undergraduate study and who will still be undergraduates in the fall of 2014 are eligible to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Applicants are ineligible if they have participated in a previous NSF-funded REU in Ocean Sciences (other disciplines can apply). BIOS encourages all successful applicants to arrange for independent study credit through their home institutions. Students will reside on the BIOS campus. Travel expenses, room, board, and a competitive stipend will be covered by the REU program; travel insurance is the responsibility of the student. 

Application Procedure

1. Before applying to the REU program, please review the list of potential 2014 REU projects and mentors.  You will be asked to select three mentors and research projects that you would be interested in working with during your time at BIOS.  You may also wish to review a list of previous REU projects conducted at BIOS dating back to 1996. 
2. Once you've identified potential mentors and research projects, complete the REU Application Form and follow the instructions regarding required supplementary documents listed at the end of the form, then e-mail your completed application and accompanying materials to education@bios.edu with the attachments sent as .pdf files. Reference letters may be submitted by the student or directly by the authors. If you have difficulty with the form, you can contact BIOS's Education Department at education@bios.edu or via phone at 441-297-1880 x 115.
3. Applications should be submitted no later than May 30, 2014. Applications received after this date may be evaluated if space is available. Applicants are usually notified by the end of June. In special circumstances, early consideration may be possible.

Further Information

Over the years, dozens of REU students have translated their hard work at BIOS into peer-reviewed publications in prominent scientific journals and conference proceedings such as poster presentations, providing a springboard to their future careers in ocean and atmospheric sciences. As a result, REU students have positive things to say about their experiences at BIOS:

• "My experience at BIOS really pushed me to learn and challenge myself. I thank you for your support. If you could create an institutional impact factor that measured an institution's cultivation of young intellects, quality of science , and educational outreach, it would be hard to surpass BIOS." -John Zablocki
• "BIOS offered me something special: a chance to conduct my own research project. I experienced both the challenges and rewards of being fully responsible for a project. It will be the founding experience in what I hope to be a long career in science." -Eve Kille Sawyer
• "The opportunity to study at BIOS while receiving credits toward my major and getting valuable laboratory and field experience was one I could not pass up. I have been able to focus attention on classes directly related to my major in close contact with scientists who are doing the research I one day hope to be doing myself." -Kelly Pennoyer
• "I believe university students often graduate without understanding the true scope of being a field scientist. I’m so grateful that this program allowed me to gain those invaluable skills, from the technical aspects of working on the ocean to what it means to be involved in a scientific community. The staff at BIOS are a wonderful support system to have behind you; I strongly encourage any undergrad interested in marine science to take advantage of the REU program and apply." - Stacy Peltier

2013 BIOS REU Students

Visit our REU Facebook page to meet and mingle with former and prospective REU interns, find out about previous projects, see photos of REU interns conducting their research, read testimonials, meet the advisers, and more!

Read more about the REU program from the 2013 student blogs.

The REU program at BIOS is supported by the National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences under Grant No. 1262880. The NSF contact for this program is Lisa Rom, elrom@nsf.gov or 703-292-7709. NSF does not handle REU applications; please contact each REU site directly for application information.