University of Washington, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Undergraduate Biological Sciences Education Program

News and Deadlines

Upcoming Events

News/Awards

In print...

Read the new article on teaching science process skills from the Fall issue of CBE, by our own Clarissa Dirks and Matthew Cunningham.

Deadlines for Applicants

UW-HHMI opportunities for undergraduates include the Biology Fellows Program for beginning students interested in biology, the Integrative Research Internship Program and the Friday Harbor Labs Research Apprenticeship Program for undergraduate researchers, and the Science and Society Seminar Series and Undergraduate Research Symposium for all students.

Undergraduates are also eligible for HHMI-funded research opportunities at Montana State University and Oregon State University through the HHMI Northwest Network and international research experiences through our collaboration with faculty members of the IGERT Multinational Collaborations on Challenges to the Environment.

Science and Society Seminar Series

The Science and Society Seminar Series is a forum for undergraduates to explore the impact and applications of scientific research on areas such as human and global health, ethics, environmental policy, science education, and technology development. Each seminar features a presentation by a guest speaker and opportunities for exchange of ideas and perspectives. The series is organized by students in the Integrative Research Internship Program. An updated seminar schedule will be posted here once it is available.

Biology Fellows Program

The Biology Fellows are a diverse community of beginning students interested in learning skills essential for success in the sciences and careers related to biology.

Biology Fellows study hard...and have a good time.

Are you interested in biology? Careers in research, education, or the health sciences?

The UW-HHMI Biology Fellows Program provides opportunities for beginning students interested in biology to develop scientific skills and to explore careers related to biology. Biology Fellows form a community of science students on the large University of Washington campus. They learn to work in teams, and they develop supportive academic and social networks that enhance their educational experiences at the University of Washington and beyond.

During Winter and Spring Quarters of 2008, students selected for the Biology Fellows Program will participate in Biology 106, a two-credit (per quarter) course that helps students develop fundamental scientific skills necessary for success in the rigorous introductory Biology Series (Biology 180, 200, and 220) and other science courses. Biology Fellows Program activities also include exploration of career-related topics, networking with faculty, advisers, and senior students, and participation in research seminars and symposia. In addition, Biology Fellows receive assistance to help defray the costs of biology educational supplies.

Requirements

To be considered for the Biology Fellows Program, students must have a strong enthusiasm for science and must not have already enrolled in the introductory Biology Series (Biology 180, 200, 220). Biology Fellows typically take Biology 180 during Spring or Autumn Quarter following their admission into the Biology Fellows Program.

As described above, Biology Fellows must enroll in Biology 106 during Winter and Spring Quarters of 2008. In addition, Biology Fellows will participate in several UW-HHMI sponsored events, including educational outreach, the Science and Society Seminar Series, and the Undergraduate Research and Career Symposium.

UW-HHMI Biology Fellows Program Application (Due November 5, 2007)

Please note that this is *not* the application for the UW-HHMI Integrative Research Internship Program. If you are looking for that application, please see the section below. Thank you!

Integrative Research Internship Program

Integrative Research Interns pursue a wide range of research projects.

Are you interested in funded opportunities to do original laboratory or field research in the biological sciences? Activities that integrate diverse research and classroom experiences? Interactions with fellow students and faculty mentors to share diverse perspectives on science and its impact on society?

The UW-HHMI Integrative Research Internship Program supports a cohort of undergraduates with interests spanning a wide variety of basic and applied biological sciences. The program provides financial support for pursuing and presenting a research project under the mentorship of a faculty member with whom the student is matched. It also provides opportunities to integrate research experiences and classroom discussions alongside peers with diverse perspectives. The breadth of the group adds to the experience through interactions among the Integrative Research Interns and their faculty mentors in a variety of settings.

During Winter and Spring Quarters of 2009, students selected for the Integrative Research Internship Program will work part-time (15 hours per week) on research with their faculty mentors, and they will participate in Biology 490 (two credits per quarter), during which they will build a community of peers and mentors, develop research skills and familiarity with research culture, and integrate diverse experiences, topics, and approaches. They will receive a $1500 stipend during each of these quarters. Provided students demonstrate continued academic and research progress, they will be eligible for support during Summer Quarter of 2009 to dedicate full-time effort (40 hours per week, for 10 weeks) to their research projects and will receive a $4,000 stipend.

All Integrative Research Interns will prepare abstracts and posters describing their projects and present them at the UW-HHMI Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium during the following Autumn Quarter, and they may apply for travel funds to attend scientific conferences. In addition, as this is an integrative program, all Integrative Research Interns will also participate in other UW-HHMI sponsored events, including educational outreach activities and a Science and Society seminar series.

Requirements

To be considered for the Integrative Research Internship Program, students must have a strong desire to participate in research and must complete Biology 180 and 200 (or their equivalents if taken elsewhere) before the program begins in Winter Quarter 2009. Students must be currently enrolled at the University of Washington. Preference will be given to students who have had little or no previous research experience. We especially encourage applications from sophomores and juniors who are interested in pursuing research in a biology-related discipline or interdisciplinary field, including any of the basic or applied biological, biomedical, or environmental sciences, bioengineering, and applied mathematics.

Since the Integrative Research Internship Program is a three-quarter integrative program, students selected for the program must commit to Winter, Spring, and Summer Quarter participation, including full-time effort during Summer Quarter. Research is time-intensive so they must adjust their course schedules and loads accordingly. As described above, they must enroll in Biology 490 during Winter and Spring Quarters, participate in multiple UW-HHMI activities, and commit to the research requirements. Continuation in the program is dependent on satisfactory academic standing and research performance each quarter. Students may not combine this award with other funding sources that directly support undergraduate research experiences. Students may enroll in Biology 499 and earn credit for research if approved by their faculty mentors.

UW-HHMI Integrative Research Internship Program Application (Due October 31, 2008)

Please note that this is *not* the application for the UW-HHMI Biology Fellows Program. If you are looking for that application, please see the section above. Thank you!

Friday Harbor Labs Research Apprenticeship Program

The UW-HHMI grant provides support that allows 10 undergraduates to participate in the Friday Harbor Research Apprenticeship Program each year. This program provides students the opportunity to work full-time for one quarter on exploratory research projects with other students, faculty instructors and graduate student teaching assistants, while living at the Friday Harbor Laboratories on San Juan Island, Washington.

Students interested in the apprenticeships should apply directly to FHL. Information and application forms for upcoming research apprenticeships can be found at:

http://depts.washington.edu/fhl/studentApprentice2006.html

If funded by the UW-HHMI Program, FHL apprentices will be expected to participate in other HHMI-sponsored activities, including the Research Symposium.

UW-HHMI Undergraduate Research Symposium

The UW-HHMI Undergraduate Research Symposium is an opportunity for all students to learn about the biological sciences at UW, undergraduate research opportunities that are available to them, and additional educational and career preparation resources. A highlight of the symposium is a poster session in which undergraduate researchers, including Integrative Research Interns, present their work to the campus community. This year's symposium will be held on Friday, October 26, 2007, in Hitchcock Hall. We hope to see you there!

At the UW-HHMI Undergraduate Research Symposium, undergraduates present their research, interact with scientists from across the UW campus, and learn about research and educational opportunities.

For Additional Information:

Please contact Brian Buchwitz, the UW-HHMI Undergraduate Programs Organizer.

Faculty

Brian Buchwitz is the UW-HHMI Undergraduate Programs Organizer. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center for work on chromosomes and mitosis in the roundworm C. elegans. He teaches several courses for the UW-HHMI Undergraduate Programs, including Biology 106 for the Biology Fellows and Biology 490 for the Integrative Research Interns, as well as Biology 113 supplementary instruction courses.

Student Research and Outreach Resources

These links are to other sites, both within and outside the UW, that offer research opportunities for undergraduates. There are also links to organizations for students at the UW that you may find useful.

UW-Affiliated Research Programs

• Undergraduate Research Program
• Mary Gates Endowment Research Training Grants
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Summer Intern Program
• Washington NASA Space Grant Undergraduate Research Awards
• Physiology & Biophysics Summer Undergraduate Research Program
• UW Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) Undergraduate Program
• Ronald E. McNair Program
• Multidisciplinary International Research Training (MIRT) Program

Non-UW Research Opportunities

• Vanderbilt-Northwestern-U of Texas-Harvard/MIT (VANTH) Research Experience for Undergraduates
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) Student Programs
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF)/Merck Science Initiative
• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)/Merck Undergraduate Science Research Programs
• A list of links to undergraduate programs from the Yale website

UW Student Resources

• Pipeline Project
• Office of Minority Affairs Instructional Center
• Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)
• Washington Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA)
• UW Minority Science and Engineering Program (MSEP)
• Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
• Genomics Outreach for Minorities (GenOM) Program
• Biomedical Research Identification of Graduate Education Successful Student Support Services (BRIDGES4)
• Graduate Opportunities & Minority Achievement Program (GO-MAP)