REU Site Proposal for Blandy Experimental Farm

该奖项为环境部提供资金 弗吉尼亚大学的科学继续 成功的REU网站。 为期10周的研究计划 本科生将教授生态学的基本原理， 科学家们通过这些方法 自然界的细节将被详细描述。该计划将 由三个阶段组成：I--两周的正式讲座 详细介绍了科学方法、假设检验和 实验设计; II- 6-1/2周的数据收集和 实验;和III-1 - 1/2周的数据分析， 结果的解释和交流。目标是 向学生展示如何“做”科学，然后给他们一个 有机会进行原创和独立的领域 research.学生们寻求从一个多元化的 背景、兴趣和国内机构。的焦点 该计划将测试与植物有关的假设- 动物相互作用和/或种群动态--这些主题 被认为具有相当大的基本/应用兴趣，并且 较高启发式价值。学生将在一个 在布兰迪实验农场的野外站设置， 弗吉尼亚大学的生物野外站，以及 将沉浸在一个15-20研究生/后的社区， 博士研究员。实地考察将侧重于 与保护有关;每周在农场举行一次系列研讨会 也会增加研究经验。生物伦理学 组件也包括在程序中，包括 由大卫博斯科先生主持的每周讲座/讨论， 詹姆斯大学哲学与宗教研究讲师 麦迪逊大学。教师工资和实验室费用 空间和宿舍作为费用分摊项目提供。

This award provides funds to the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia to continue a successful REU SITE. The 10 week research program for undergraduates will teach basic principles of ecology, and the methods by which scientists increase our understanding of the natural world will be detailed. The program will be comprised of three phases: I--Two weeks of formal lectures detailing the scientific method, hypothesis testing and experimental design; II-- 6-1/2 weeks of data collection and experimentation; and III--1-1/2 weeks of data analysis, interpretation and communication of results. The goal is show students how to "do" science and then give them an opportunity to conduct original and independent field research. Students are sought from a diversity of backgrounds, interests and home institutions. The focus of the program will be on testing hypotheses related to plant- animal interactions and/or population dynamics--topics that are felt to have considerable basic/applied interest, and high heuristic value. Students will conduct research in a field-station setting at the Blandy Experimental Farm, a biological field station of the University of Virginia, and will be immersed in a community of 15-20 graduate/post- doctoral researchers. Field trips will focus on issues related to conservation; a weekly seminar series at the Farm will also add to the research experience. A bio-ethics component is also included in the program consisting of weekly lectures/discussions lead by Mr. David Bosco, Instructor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at James Madison University. Faculty wages, and fees for laboratory space and dorm rooms are contributed as cost share items.