Program dates: July 5 to August 29, 2010
Letter of intent: December 18, 2009
Application deadline: February 19, 2010
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Dr. Marvin Wickens
315 Biochemistry Addition
433 Babcock Drive
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin 53706
Phone: (608) 262-8007
Email: score@biochem.wisc.edu
THE PROGRAM
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Biochemistry, in association with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, will offer summer research internships for up to six undergraduate students from UW-Madison in Summer, 2010.
Participating undergraduate students will spend eight weeks during the Summer of 2010 in a laboratory in Oxford or Cambridge in England. Students will conduct full-time research in biochemistry and/or molecular biology.
OBJECTIVES
The program provides a Summer Study-Abroad opportunity for up to six students in Biological Sciences, without the need to postpone graduation due to the rigid course scheduling requirements of most biological sciences curricula. This opportunity allows selected students from UW-Madison to further their research experience by becoming engaged in an active, top-notch research program in Oxford or Cambridge. Participating students will conduct their own research project under the direction of a faculty member and work as part of a laboratory research team investigating fundamental problems in biochemistry and molecular biology.
OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE
Oxford and Cambridge are widely regarded as two of the premier institutions of higher learning in the world. Their alumni include many leaders in the natural sciences. Both universities have outstanding research programs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Oxford Biochemistry Department
Cambridge Biochemistry Department
WHAT STUDENTS WILL GAIN
The summer research experience is an unusual opportunity for students committed to a professional career in research or medicine. The SCORE experience will provide:
• Cutting edge research experience in excellent scientific environments to strengthen your undergraduate career and enhance your resume
• New networking opportunities
• Exposure to different modes of doing research and thinking about science
• Life in one of the outstanding universities in the world
• Personal growth from the invaluable experience of living abroad
These distinctive experiences will complement and strengthen any application for post-graduate studies.
COST AND FELLOWSHIPS
SCORE Fellowships will be available from the Biochemistry Department. These will reduce the cost of lodging and registration to less than $500 for all participants. Additional expenses are mandatory health insurance and administrative fees of $175, airfare of $600-900, and meals, which can be taken in the college or departmental cafeteria, estimated to be less than $800.
In addition to the SCORE Fellowships, students may be eligible for additional financial aid, including need-based scholarships. CALS Undergraduate Programs and Services has scholarship money for study abroad. In addition, the CALS Study Abroad Office offers scholarships as well. See this link. The CALS Study Abroad Scholarship form is attached to the SCORE application.
ENVIRONMENT AND ACCOMMODATION
Oxford and Cambridge are centuries-old institutions of higher learning, with great histories of outstanding research and scholarship. Cambridge is celebrating its 800th anniversary this year. The university buildings and academic environments are unique. Students will do research in modern, outstanding facilities in the center of the towns, in the midst of the famous university environment. Housing will be in University-affiliated houses and colleges. Some meals will be available in the colleges proper, others will be taken independently.
ELIGIBILITY
Undergraduate students majoring in the biological sciences (preferably between their junior and senior years) who are currently attending UW-Madison are eligible to apply. The applicant should have a strong interest in a career in research. Previous research experience is strongly preferred.
APPLICATION
Letter of intent. Students who plan to apply to the program should send an email to Dr. Wickens, score@biochem.wisc.edu, stating that they are planning to apply. This letter is due by December 18, 2009. It does not commit the student to applying.
Application. All applications must be received by February 15, 2010. Please note that the applicant is responsible for completing the entire application, obtaining the additional materials, and submitting them as hardcopies. In brief, it consists of:
• Two letters of reference
• An essay explaining your career objectives, and why you want to study abroad
• Official transcript
• A Curriculum Vitae (Resume)
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications should be submitted to Carol Pfeffer, 341E Biochemistry Addition
SCORE Application.pdf
SELECTION PROCESS
Students will be selected based on academic qualifications (academic record, course work, and research experience) and their written personal statements. Participants will be chosen after in-person interviews of selected candidates.
Some Cambridge and Oxford scientists (Dates indicate year of Nobel Prize win)