URM: Research Experiences in a Changing World: Preparing Underrepresented Students for Graduate Programs through Research in Environmental Biology

加州州立大学富勒顿分校（CSUF）获得了一项奖励，以建立本科生研究和指导（URM）计划。该项目将于2011年春季开始，并持续到2015年冬季，为五组学者（每组五名学生）提供为期两年的环境生物学和生态学研究经验。每组将由五名学生组成，他们将接受有关本地生态系统可持续性问题的研究培训。csf - urm的学者将研究这些生态系统，并培养高质量的研究技能，这些技能应用的批判性思维超出了通常在本科课堂上取得的成就。在项目任期结束时，学者们将为进入竞争激烈的环境和生态学科的研究生课程做好准备。CSUF-URM计划将包括三个主要部分：(1)夏季实地课程；(2)两年的独立研究，由教师直接指导，并最终完成一篇毕业论文；(3)加强活动，以促进队伍建设和网络、同侪辅导、沟通技巧培养、道德培训和职业发展。学者将根据他们的兴趣，职业目标，以及由过去的经验，学习成绩和推荐信确定的生产性研究能力来选择。学者们将围绕教师导师的专业知识研究各种项目，包括：(1)干扰对群落和行为的影响；(2)非本地物种的生理和生态影响；(3)物种对当前和未来气候条件的反应；(4)本地物种的保护方法；(5)脆弱栖息地的基线生态条件。学者所做的研究将在国家会议上展示，并形成本科生研究论文的基础。所有加州大学旧金山分校-加州大学欧文分校的学者都将培养研究技能，这些技能将：(1)直接有助于对我们不断变化的地球有更多的了解，(2)提高南加州许多文化部门对环境科学的知名度和认识，以及(3)提高研究生入学的个人竞争力。课程成功的评估是通过监测学生的成绩和结果来计划的。更多信息请访问http://biology.fullerton.edu/scerp/index.html，或联系William Hoese （bhoese@fullerton.edu）或Darren Sandquist （dsandquist@fullerton.edu）。

An award has been made to California State University Fullerton (CSUF) to establish an Undergraduate Research and Mentoring (URM) program. The program will provide two-year research experiences in environmental biology and ecology to five cohorts of scholars (five students per cohort) starting in spring 2011 and continuing through winter 2015. Each cohort will comprise five students who will be trained on research involving problems related to the sustainability of native ecosystems. CSUF-URM scholars will study these ecosystems and develop high-quality research skills that apply critical thinking beyond what is typically achieved in an undergraduate classroom. By the end of their tenure in the program, scholars will be well positioned for admission into highly competitive graduate programs in the environmental and ecological disciplines. The CSUF-URM program will include three main components: (1) a summer field course; (2) two years of independent research, mentored directly by faculty, and culminating in a senior thesis; and (3) enhancement activities to foster cohort-building and networking, peer mentoring, communication skills building, ethics training, and career development. Scholars will be selected based on their interests, career goals, and ability for productive research as determined by past experiences, academic performance, and letters of recommendation. Scholars will investigate a diversity of projects built around the expertise of the faculty mentors, including (1) the effects of disturbance on communities and behavior, (2) the physiological and ecological impacts of non-native species, (3) the response of species to current and future climate conditions, (4) conservation methods for native species, and (5) baseline ecological conditions in vulnerable habitats. Research performed by scholars will be presented at national conferences, and form the basis of an undergraduate research thesis. All CSUF-URM scholars will develop research skills that will (1) contribute directly to the greater knowledge of our changing Earth, (2) increase visibility and awareness of environmental sciences across the many cultural divisions of Southern California, and (3) increase individual competitiveness for admission to graduate school. Evaluation of program success is planned through monitoring of student accomplishments and outcomes. More information is available at http://biology.fullerton.edu/scerp/index.html, or by contacting William Hoese (bhoese@fullerton.edu) or Darren Sandquist (dsandquist@fullerton.edu).