The Program

Building on the interdisciplinary Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program at the H.J. Andrews Forest and its information management program, this Summer Institute will (1) train and promote discovery in young scientists who will make basic contributions to ecosystem science, computer science, and mathematics through team-based research and education; (2) promote the pursuit and success of a diverse group of students seeking higher education and research experience in Eco-Informatics, and (3) provide graduates to work in interdisciplinary settings on natural resources management and policy.

Stipend

Students who are admitted to the Eco-Informatics Summer Institute will receive a total stipend of $4,000 spread out over ten weeks, from which tuition for the summer class (Approximentaly $701 as of August 2006) will be deducted. Travel, up to $500, for transportation to the Summer Institute will be provided to participants, as well as free lodging at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest and 3 meals per day for the first and last weeks of the program.

Activities, Events, and Requirements

You are expected to work a 40-hr work week on your research project and/or course work, as well as participate in the following ways. Other student-organized outings are possible, such as hiking in the high cascades and white water rafting on the McKenzie River.

Orientation Week. All participants are required to attend Eco-Informatics introductory lectures and field demonstrations during the first week. Each morning of the orientation week will consist of several linked presentations and discussions by faculty participants highlighting ongoing EcoInformatics research projects. Afternoon field visits to current research projects at the Andrews Forest will launch the research partnerships among participating faculty, IGERT PhD students, and Summer Institute students. At each selected site, researchers and faculty will discuss the “ecoinformatics research life cycle” of each project, including motivating resource management issues, question formulation, experimental design/data collection, data archiving, analysis, modeling, hypothesis testing, and implications.

Task Sheets. Participants must completed the task sheet form and submit one copy to the program director and one copy to their faculty mentor. Task sheet are due by 5 pm on Friday of the first week.

Andrews Orientation. Participants are required to attend this orientation of standard practices at the HJ Andrews Experimental forest.

Weekly Student-Mentor Meetings. Participants must meet (in person or by phone) with their faculty mentors on at least a weekly basis.

Class Attendance. Participants are required to attend classes held during weeks 2-5 of the program without exception. Class credit will be transferred back to the students’ home institution upon completion of the program. Click here to view the course description.

Professional Development Seminars. Participants are required to attend these seminars designed to foster the professional and personal skills needed for life in academia.

Proposal Development. Each student is required, with the assistance of their faculty mentor, to prepare an independent proposal of research for supporting their prospective graduate program, using the experience from the summer as a basis for future study, if appropriate. Also during the final week, students are required to participate in a mock-review of peer proposals.

Project Documentation. Participants are required to present their projects through an oral presentation during the final week of the program. In addtion, students will submit a 5-page written summary of their project methods, analysis, and preliminary results.

Closing Reception. Mentors and graduate students are all are welcome.

Assessment and Follow Up. After the program is completed, participants are requested to complete an email survey upon returning to their home institutions.

Coastal Weekend Trip. There will be a field trip to the Oregon Coast and participants should plan on attending. Transportation and accommodations will be provided.