Research Experience for Undergraduates

These Research Experience for Undergraduates programs seek to provide participants with training in an active, research-oriented environment normally unavailable at the undergraduate level. The foremost activity is the research project, lasting the duration of the program so that the students can produce concrete results and conclusions. Unlike many other REU programs around the country, these REU programs strive to give participants enough time for research to merit co-authorship of a scientific paper. As a result, most of the programs demand an 11-week minimum stay. The application is a common form in which you will have the chance to indicate which program you prefer. If you want us to help you get accepted to other summer research programs (we get many inquiries from new programs that are just starting) you can indicate this on the application.

Research topics vary from site to site, but generally involve the best research laboratories at each location. Students with appropriate research interests and majors in Math, Engineering, Physics, the Biosciences, Chemistry and all STEM areas are encouraged to apply; pre-professional (Medical, Law, Dentistry, Veterinary) students are NOT encouraged to apply. Each participant will spend most of their time working with graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, staff, and other undergraduates on a well-developed research project under the mentorship of an experienced faculty member. Ample opportunity for broader encounters such as seminars, scientific visits, as well as social outings will also be made available at each location. All students write a publication-style report for their research credit provided through the UF Honors Program. The France and South America programs offer a total package in the range of $7000, the LSAMP program is in excess of $10,000, with the domestic program providing slightly less.

View a Powerpoint presentation on other international REU Sites including many that form part of the LSAMP Center for International Undergraduate Research.

Since receiving recognition as a REU Site by the National Science Foundation in 1992, the UF Department of Chemistry has run a successful summer program involving many activities beyond the research projects including: guest seminar speakers, visits to NASA laboratories & other industrial sites, and interactions between other REU programs & high schools. Forty-five full-time faculty members direct research groups available to REU students in areas of chemistry including organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, biochemistry, polymer chemistry, and theory. By participating, students gain access to one of the best equipped institutions in the Southeast US with active research at Florida's National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida's Brain Institute, the major Analytical Instruments Center within the College of Engineering, and two major research hospitals. In 2009, we anticipate adding opportunities with faculty at the Florida Museum of Natural History, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.

The day-to-day life of a typical REU student revolves about their host research group and project, but student interactions between different groups occur through organized weekly seminars, social events, and importantly, the common housing arrangements. This encourages informal interactions to be arranged between students themselves. During the first week, students and faculty are introduced at an "icebreaker" picnic and an initial informational meeting. Other social events are generally held throughout the summer.

Download flyer on Domestic REU Program

This new program allows LSAMP students, up to 16 in 2009, to have the opportunity to have a research experience at a number of locations around the world and in a broad variety of science areas! To be eligible, you need to have previous research, have LSAMP funding (current or past funding is OK), and a faculty mentor within your school's LSAMP program. Premedical students are not eligible. Participants can go to one of five primary countries (Brazil, France, Argentina, Ghana) and perform research projects in a broad range of science areas. Participants can also choose from more than 20 other international REU programs. The program also features a (paid) predeparture meeting at NSF and the French Embassy in the spring and a (paid) post-program poster session in sunny Florida in January in an overall package that is more than $10,000. Some LSAMP participants will have the opportunity to extend their research stay until Christmas. Links to the participating institutions can be located under the Research Sites page above for France, Brazil, and Argentina, and in the application form for other locations.

Download flyer on LSAMP Center

This new 12-week program allows students - up to 20! in 2009 - to have the opportunity to study in either Argentina or Brazil, two of the powerhouses in the booming South American scene. Research is in the area of chemistry and molecular biodiversity at one of five major research sites: the University of Sao Paulo, Campinas University, The State University of Sao Paulo at Araraquara, the Univ Buenos Aires, and the Leloir Institute. Links to the participating institutions can be located under the Research Sites page above. Premedical students are not eligible. The program also features a (paid) predeparture meeting at NSF and the French Embassy in the spring and a (paid) post-program poster session in sunny Florida in January.

Download flyer on US/South America REU

This 12-week international component allows REU students to be immersed in the culture and scientific methodologies of France and the European Union. American and French participants have housing provided. Like the domestic program, the French REU program provides participants with shared activities such as seminars, field trips, and ethics training. The program is limited to students with previous research experience and seniors ARE eligible. Premedical students are not eligible. This and the South America program provide many of the domestic REU participants the opportunity to compete for a second research experience following summer semester abroad. The program also features a (paid) predeparture meeting at NSF and the French Embassy in the spring and a (paid) post-program poster session in sunny Florida in January.

Because the French, like most of Europe, take a holiday in August, students must arrive in very early May to start their research. We make arrangements with the REU participants' home universities to accommodate this early release from Spring term classes if necessary.

Download flyer on US/France REU

The objective of the program, running from early June through mid July, is to provide a rigorous and enriching research and educational experience for motivated undergraduate students -- especially minority students -- and a high school teacher, at an international REU site. Such an opportunity should better prepare the students for graduate education and research in the life sciences and to expand the professional experience of a high school teacher. The cultural exposure to faculty and students at a sub-Saharan African university will also provide another layer of experience that is not available at a domestic REU site. Research projects will focus on ecology, conservation and environmental science including bioprospecting (screening for useful plants) and we anticipate several chemistry/materials science/chemical engineering projects for 2009.

The specific goals are to provide first hand international research experience for American undergraduate students and a high school teacher at University Cape Coast (UCC), a sub-Sahara Africa university that is actively engaged in research; emphasize the importance of collaboration and cooperation to participants; develop respect, trust and lasting friendships that cross traditional and cultural boundaries imposed by geographic and economic status; improve skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, ethical reasoning and interpersonal skills of participants; and immerse participants in the Ghanaian society during their stay to give them a better appreciation of the culture.

Download flyer on UF-UCC Ghana REU Program