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大学（CSUF）已获得一项奖励，以建立一个本科生研究和指导（URM）计划。该计划将提供为期两年的环境生物学和生态学的研究经验，以五个学者（每组五名学生）从2011年春季开始，并持续到2015年冬季。每一组将包括五名学生，他们将接受涉及与当地生态系统可持续性有关的问题的研究培训。CSUF-URM学者将研究这些生态系统，并开发高质量的研究技能，应用批判性思维超越通常在本科课堂上实现的。 在他们的任期结束时，学者将很好地定位进入环境和生态学科竞争激烈的研究生课程录取。CSUF-URM计划将包括三个主要组成部分：（1）夏季实地课程;（2）两年的独立研究，直接由教师指导，并在高级论文中达到高潮;和（3）增强活动，以促进队列建设和网络，同行指导，沟通技能建设，道德培训和职业发展。学者的选择将根据他们的兴趣、职业目标和富有成效的研究能力（由过去的经验、学习成绩和推荐信决定）。学者们将研究围绕教师导师的专业知识建立的项目的多样性，包括（1）干扰对社区和行为的影响，（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，以及（5）脆弱栖息地的基线生态条件。由学者进行的研究将在全国会议上提出，并形成本科研究论文的基础。 所有CSUF-URM学者将开发研究技能，这将（1）直接有助于我们不断变化的地球的更多知识，（2）增加在南加州的许多文化部门的环境科学的知名度和意识，以及（3）提高个人竞争力录取研究生院。 计划成功的评估是通过监测学生的成绩和成果。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).