For the past nine summers, the CBE has hosted eight undergraduate students from across the nation to participate in an intensive 10-week research program sponsored by the National Science Foundation. At the beginning of the summer, students are given a research question. With help from a mentor, students prepare a work plans and begin a literature review. Intermixed with the laboratory learning, students are taught how to prepare technical presentations, and are given opportunities to practice their skills.
Research ethics is the third focus of the program.
Students attend lectures by invited speakers, and make field trips to Butte, Montana, and Yellowstone National Park to examine research ethics on site. The goal is for the REU program to provide students with a comprehensive research experience. Relevancy, as would be provided by Industrial Associate involvement, is a critical component for helping the the students reach this goal. Notification of award decisions will be posted on February 16, 2001. Following acceptance of a proposal, a CBE mentor will be assigned to the proposal.