Independent Research Summer Program (IRSP)

Independent Research Summer Program (IRSP)

BIOL 2229

Program Announcement 2013

Application Deadline: March 8th 2013

Program Dates: May 20th – August 2nd2013

The Independent Research Summer Programat Anoka-Ramsey Community College was started in 2007. In its original form, it offered opportunities for research studies in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, developmental biology and microbiology. Starting in 2012, IRSP opportunities expanded to include field studies such as ecology or environmental science, and both field and laboratory opportunities in other applied life sciences, includinghorticultureand biochemistry.IRSP consists of 10 weeks of part time research under the guidance of a faculty mentor from one of the above bioscience disciplines.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College coordinates and directs the Independent Research Summer Program in partnership with two colleges at the University of Minnesota: the College of Biological Sciences and the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences.The program commences with an initial week oforientation, and training in research literature. Participation in a 10-week research project follows under the direction of a University of Minnesota faculty mentor. Several additional activities focused on peer scientific and social interaction are offered throughout the 10 weeks. This summer research experience culminates with the presentation of a research thesis paper and possible poster at a research symposium IRSP is designed to recruit highly qualified students to the University of Minnesota Biosciences Programs, and to provide invaluable cutting-edge research training to selected candidates. Eligible students are expected to have a GPA of 3.3 or higher and must be citizens or permanent residents of the US or its possessions.Students willing to help Anoka-Ramsey Community College and the University of Minnesota achieve their mission of excellence and broadening access to science through diversity are encouraged to apply.

Contact information:

Dr. Debby Filler, Faculty Program Coordinator (Anoka-Ramsey)

Telephone: 763 433-1165

E-mail:

Dr. Joan McKearnan, Faculty Program Coordinator (Anoka-Ramsey)

Telephone: 763 433-1232

E-mail:

Website:

Anoka-Ramsey Community College and the University of Minnesota are committed to the all persons having equal access to this program, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation.

I. Program Components and Expectations

The primary componentof this program is ten weeks of part-time work in a research laboratory at the University of Minnesota under the supervision and mentoring of a principal investigator. Students must attend the entire program to earn credit (May 20 – August 2, 2013). Vacations and other non-research-related activities should be scheduled around these dates. Full participation is expected in each of the specific components of the program:

A. Orientation Week with Research Literature Training (May 20 –24) at Anoka-Ramsey.

B. Laboratory, Field,or Other Research Project (May 28 – August 2) at the University of Minnesota. Research may take place on campus or may occur at other off-campus sites, e.g., Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in East Bethel, You +1'd this publicly.Undo

Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton, MN

C. Biweekly student peer review meetings at the U of M or off-campus research locations. Students will share experiences, research pitfalls and research data in peer review meetings organized and overseen by Anoka-Ramsey faculty.

D. Research Thesis presentation (August 1).

E. Poster presentation is required and presentation at a national conference is encouraged.

Note: In addition to 10 hours of your independent research,many placements will have an expectation of up to 30 hours of work for the project. This work would be paid by the employing project.

II. Participant Selection and Project Placement Processes

A. Evidence of academic achievement is important and the majority of the successful applicants should have an undergraduate Grade Point Average of 3.3 or higher.However, candidates are also evaluated on the strength of their personal statement and faculty letters of recommendation (2).

B. Preference will be given to students who have taken BIOL 1106 (1st semester General Biology), and alsoone or more of the following courses: BIOL 1107 (2nd semester General Biology), BIOL 2201 (Microbiology), BIOL 2202 (Genetics), BIOL 2207 (Plant Biology), BIOL 2206 (Animal Biology), or BIOL 2209 (Ecology).

Applicants with prior research experience in Applied Structural Genomics on the Anoka-Ramsey campus are also given preferential status.

C. Other basic selection criteria include evidence of preparation to carry out research in areas of interest; evidence of communication and teamwork skills; strong interest in continuing undergraduate education in the biological sciences at a transfer institution; strong potential for postgraduate studies in the biological sciences; and breadth of interest as evidenced by the student’s extracurricular activities, hobbies, or life experiences.

D. Every effort will be made to ensure that students accepted into the IRSP are placed in a research laboratory/project whose interests match those of the student. Applicants should bear in mind that the University of Minnesota faculty mentor makes the final placement decisionand may require a face-to-face interview with the student.

Independent Research Summer Program (IRSP)

Application Checklist

Double-check the checklist below and mail or deliver your completed application materials to the address shown on this page.

1. My complete application includes:

a. one (1) original stapled set in the order given:

-completed two-page application

- one (1)page typed, biographical sketch/personal statement (see reverse)

-one (1) unofficial current copy of your transcript; (one (1) official copy of your transcript will be required when admitted into the program).

b. two (2) signed, sealed envelopes bearing faculty recommendation forms (see instructions on the recommendation form).

2. Mail or deliver your completed application packet to:

Independent Research Summer Program

AnokaRamseyCommunityCollege-

Department of Biology, Room S111

Coon Rapids Campus

11200 Mississippi Blvd NW

Coon Rapids, MN55433-3470

3. Application Timeline

February 19th / Application process starts
March 8th / Application deadline
April 1st (Tentative) / Acceptance Letters and Placement Recommendations

Personal Statement/Biographical Sketch

Write a short personal statement (one page or less, typed) addressing the following points where relevant. Be sure to include your name at the top. Sign the statement at the bottom of the page before submission.

• Describe your relevant background (academic, personal, service)

• Indicate your career goals. For example, transferring to a 4-year institution, working in wildlife management or field ecology, working in applied life sciences in agriculture or forestry, pursuing a biotechnology job, or a health career, etc.

• Describe some scientific questions that interest you the most and the reasons for this interest.

• Describe the specific areas in which you would like to conduct research, and the factors that influenced your interests.

• Describe how your inclusion in this program would enhance your transition to University life, enrich your undergraduate career and/or contribute to diversity, bridging from a community college to a four year research institution.

• Describe your interest in participating in this program at Anoka-Ramsey in partnership with the University of Minnesota.

• Indicate special interests and hobbies

• Include extracurricular and volunteer activities

• Indicate future plans.

Independent Research Summer Program (IRSP)

2013 Application Form

Type or Print Legibly

NameBirth Date

Last First Middle

[ ]Male [ ]Female[ ]US Citizen [ ] Permanent Resident

Current Address

Street City State Zip Code

Current Telephone () Cell Phone ( ) Email Address:

Permanent Address

Street City State Zip Code

Permanent Telephone( )Permanent Contact

OPTIONAL: I identify myself as (please choose all that apply)

[ ] African American[ ] American Indian/Alaska Native[ ] Asian

[ ] Caucasian [ ] Chicano/Latino/Hispanic[ ] Native Pacific Islander

[ ] Other (specify)

[ ] First generation college student

Academic Information:

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Major

Overall GPA (4.0 scale)

How many courses will you have completed at Anoka-Ramsey or other institutions in the following areas by May 2013?

Mathematics Chemistry Physics Biology Other Science

Year completed by May 2012 (choose one): Freshman Sophomore Other

Expected date of graduation from Anoka-Ramsey

(month and year)

Plans for transferring to a four year research institution (Choose one)

[ ] No [ ] YesIf Yes, planned Institution and Major

Previous College/University (If Any) Major/Degree

Overall GPA at Previous College/University (4.0 scale)

Previous Research Experience:

Time spent doing research outside laboratory classes None Less than 50 hours More than 50 hours

Describe previous research activities if applicable.

Describe other skills you have that you think might be relevant to your conducting research in your area of interest, e.g., familiarity with plant identification if you hope to work in plant ecology or you used a PCR at a lab in which you worked.

Research Interest/s Preference Placement Information:

Rank up to three (3) of the life sciences areas listed below (use 1, 2, 3)

______Wildlife/Conservation Biology

______Entomology

______Fisheries

______Ecology

______Soil Ecology

______Fisheries

______Cell Biology

______Invasive Species Management

______Genetics

______Genomics/Proteomics

______Microbiology

______Plant Physiology

______Plant Biology

______Horticulture or Agronomy (Agriculture)

______Plant Pathology

______Other

Are you interested or willing to participate in research outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area?

Yes ______No ______Maybe (explain) ______

Indicate any factor/s, i.e. allergies, disabilities, etc. that should be considered in arranging your placement in a specific laboratory or field setting.

How did you hear about the Independent Research Summer Program?

[ ] Website[ ] Professor[ ] Classmate [ ] Promotional Events

[ ] Other

I attest that all the information in this document is accurate as possible. I also waive my right to privacy and allow the coordinators of IRSP to share this information and other application material with potential principal investigators with whom I might be placed.

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