REU Site Proposal for Blandy Experimental Farm

9322093 BOWERS该奖项为弗吉尼亚大学环境科学系提供资金，以在未来两年内继续成功开展REU项目。在为期10周的大学生研究项目中，将教授生态学的基本原理，并详细介绍科学家们如何提高对自然世界的认识。该计划将包括三个阶段：1——两周的正式讲座，详细介绍科学方法、假设检验和实验设计；II - 6周半的数据收集和实验；第三——1-1/2周的数据分析、解释和结果交流。目的是向学生展示如何“做”科学，然后给他们一个机会进行原创和独立的实地研究。学生来自不同的背景、兴趣和家庭机构。该计划的重点将是测试与植物-动物相互作用，种群动态和保护生物学相关的假设-这些主题具有相当大的基础/应用兴趣和高启发式价值。学生将在布兰迪实验农场（Blandy Experimental Farm）的野外研究站进行研究，这是弗吉尼亚大学的一个生物实地研究站，并将沉浸在一个由15 -20名研究生/博士后研究人员组成的社区中。实地考察将侧重于与保护有关的问题；该农场每周举办的系列研讨会也将增加研究经验。詹姆斯麦迪逊大学哲学和宗教研究讲师David Bosco先生主持的每周讲座/讨论中包含了生物伦理部分。教师工资、1/2的小卡车费用、实验室空间/宿舍费用作为成本分担项目。＊＊＊

9322093 BOWERS This award provides funds to the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia to continue a successful REU program for the next two years. A10-week research program for undergraduates will be conducted where basic principles of ecology are taught, and the methods by which scientists increase our understanding of the natural world 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, population dynamics, and conservation biology--topics that 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 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, 1/2 the cost of a small truck, and fees for laboratory space/dorm rooms are being contributed as cost share items. ***