REU Site Proposal for Blandy Experimental Farm

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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.