The basis of the summer program is a highly individualized research experience for each student. Interns work with mentors, and often within the context of a research team, to develop individual projects. Depending on the project, the summer can involve lots of 'hands-on' experience in the field or laboratory, or both. Interns are expected to work with their mentors to develop a project idea in the form of a brief research prospectus, conduct their research, and then present their results in a final program that is open to the VIMS community.
Interns also prepare a short paper summarizing their research results for the program archives.
For more information on intern research projects and to learn what interns have said about the program, check out the student research and interns in action pages. Another important aspect of the summer program is the group activities. The program kicks off with a pizza dinner that gives everyone a chance to meet when they first arrive on campus. Other group activities planned for 2000 include three field trips. During the first week of the program the interns will cruise to the lower Chesapeake Bay aboard the VIMS Research Vessel Bay Eagle.