UF Microbiology

University of Florida NSF REU Program

Dates: May 24-July 31, 2008

Application deadline: March 1, 2008

Research. Undergraduate student interns will be linked up with faculty mentors to participate in ongoing research within the department. Students will be provided an opportunity to develop their skills in experimental design and will gain hands-on experience at the bench learning a variety of molecular and biochemical methodologies and will be a part of the lab's research team. Students are expected to maintain laboratory notebooks and present the results of their experiments at the end of the 10 week session. A mentor list and summaries of their research areas can be found under "Faculty Mentors."

Introductory Laboratory Training. During the first week, UF MCS-REU students will meet for an introductory laboratory training session taught by Dr. Sheila Gomez with assistance from a Graduate assistant. Topics will include Introductory Welcome Comments, Laboratory Safety, Laboratory Etiquette and Citizenship, Notebook Documentation, Scientific Calculations, and Technical Training in Basic Lab Skills (use of balance, pH meter, autoclaves, pipettes; aseptic technique; making laboratory solutions).

Ethics Presentations. Although the high standards of scientific inquiry have changed little since the beginnings of modern science, the rapid pace of discovery in the biological sciences, coupled with technological advances in computer science, imaging and molecular biology, have presented new ethical concerns not previously anticipated. For this reason, early exposure to principles of ethical conduct in science is an increasingly important component in training future generations of scientists. To meet this need, the UF MCS-REU program will introduce basic concepts of ethics to student interns by offering instruction and case-study discussions during three of the Workshops. Dr. Jeffrey Burkhardt, a UF Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resource Ethics and Policy will moderate the presentations, which consist of two 1-hr lectures on “Ethics in Science” and “What’s the Big Deal About Biotechnology?” followed by a 2-hr discussion in the third week where the principles previously covered will be applied to actual case studies.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) preparation The REU program will sponsor a 3-session Kaplan GRE Test Preparation training course at UF consisting of (i) a practice diagnostic exam to help to identify strengths and weaknesses, (ii) a review of math principles, and (iii) a review of verbal concepts and strategies.

Informal Friday Afternoon Discussions (Fridays, 4 to 5 p.m.) Students, mentors, and faculty will gather for informal discussions and to share comments that could help improve programmatic aspects of the REU. This meeting will also serve as a forum for panel discussions on topics such as “Balancing Family and Career Commitments”, “Preparing Graduate School and Graduate Fellowship Applications”, and “What to Expect in Graduate School and Beyond”. Refreshments will be provided.

Activities and Community