APPLICATIONS DUE FEBRUARY 16TH, 2009

June 15- August 21, 2009

If you are considering graduate study or a professional career in environmental science, computer science, or mathematics, you should be aware of the exciting opportunities and new career pathways that you could follow through integrative study.  Developing skills in collaboration and hands-on experience is one of the most valuable learning opportunities you can have. This summer, Oregon State University will offer 15 students from all over the U.S. the opportunity to work with faculty mentors on research projects that advance knowledge and understanding of old-growth forests, streams, and other native ecosystems.

The Research Experience for Undergraduates program runs from June 15th-August 21st at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest on the beautiful McKenzie River and at OSU in Corvallis.

Take advantage of the opportunity to gain experience in compelling landscapes and interact with other talented students while exploring new fields of study, including: botany, climate science, computer science, ecology, engineering, fisheries, forestry, mathematics, statistics, water resources, zoology, and many others.

See what previous students have said about the program!

Eco-Informatics:
Eco-Informatics, defined as the integrated application of mathematics, computer science, statistics, and engineering to the study and management of ecosystems, is an emerging field that re-integrates the ecological sciences with information sciences through conceptualizing and modeling of complex ecosystems; software engineering for model construction and experimentation; information management and access; spatio-temporal database systems; data mining; and pattern recognition. Students trained in interdisciplinary Eco-informatics are needed to understand and apply state-of-the-art tools to detect, evaluate, and predict ecological patterns and processes, and manage complex ecosystems.

Nature of the Summer Institute:
Building on the existing IGERT in Ecosystem Informatics, including participants from the US Forest Service and other resource management agencies in the Pacific Northwest, students will undertake research in compelling and complex resource management issues involving land use change, climate change, water, forests, streams, wildfire, and endangered species. The Summer Institute will target recruitment of underserved student populations of Native Americans, Hispanics, and women, and will provide career development activities illustrating career options in academia, agencies, and the private sector. Through this integrated research and education, effective mentoring, and hands-on experience, participants will gain the foundation and opportunities to develop and seek support for their own graduate program, including a peer-reviewed research proposal, as well as the training to become outstanding interdisciplinary scientists and effective contributors to Eco-Informatics science.

Frequently Asked Questions about the program

"A scientist does not study nature because it is useful to do so. He studies it because he takes pleasure in it and he takes pleasure in it because it is beautiful. If nature were not beautiful, it would not be worth knowing and life would not be worth living."
-Henri Poincare (1854-1912)