REU Site: Convergence Ecology - Research Experience for Undergraduates in Ecological Diversity across Systems and Disciplines

南伊利诺伊大学（SIU）获得了本科生研究经验（REU）网站奖，该奖项将在2013- 2015年夏季每年夏季为10名学生提供为期10周的研究培训。该计划的目标是通过SIU附属的12名教师的不同研究项目，为学生提供实践培训，使用各种工具进行生态研究，这些工具用于跨研究领域（包括土壤，植物，动物和多种生态系统）和过程（生态模式和可变性，环境退化的生态响应，恢复的生态响应以及保护和管理）。美国生态中心。该计划将使学生沉浸在研究和教育活动中，旨在培养(1)通过开展研究项目进行动手科学探究（从观察到结论），(2)通过指导定量领域和实验室方法发展多样化的生态技能，(3)通过每周阅读和讨论理解和自信地传播科学，(4)通过每周研讨会广泛的生态科学意识。(5)通过对当地自然和文化区域的教育实地考察，更好地了解生物多样性（包括人类文化）。学生还将接受伦理、负责任的研究行为以及适当的动物护理和使用方面的培训。该项目将以生态学本科生研究学术讨论会（The CURE）结束，这是一个由REU学生和SIU其他本科生研究人员进行口头报告的研讨会。该计划的多阶段招聘工作包括传统的“硬拷贝”格式和基于数字的广告。学生的选择是基于学习成绩、先前的研究表现和在生态学方面的杰出研究潜力。跟踪学生，以确定他们对学术研究领域的持续兴趣，他们的职业道路，以及研究经历的持久影响。有关该计划的信息将通过各种方式进行评估，包括使用REU通用评估工具。欲了解更多信息，请访问http://www.ecology.siu.edu，或与PI （Clay Nielsen博士kezo92@siu.edu）或副PI （Sara Baer博士sgbaer@siu.edu）联系。

A Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site award has been made to Southern Illinois University (SIU) that will provide research training for 10 students for 10 weeks each summer during the summers of 2013- 2015. The program has a goal to provide students with hands-on training with a diversity of tools used to conduct ecological research across a spectrum of research areas (to include soil, plants, animals, and multiple ecosystems) and processes (ecological pattern and variability, ecological response to environmental degradation, ecological response to restoration, and conservation and management) through the diverse research programs of 12 faculty members affiliated with SIU?s Center for Ecology. The program will immerse students in research and educational activities aimed to foster (1) hands-on scientific inquiry (from observation through conclusion) by conducting a research project, (2) development of a diverse ecological skills-set through guided quantitative field and laboratory methods, (3) comprehension of and confidence in communicating science through weekly reading and discussion, (4) a broad awareness of ecological science through weekly seminars, and (5) a better understanding of biodiversity (to include human culture) through educational field trips to local natural and cultural areas. Students also will be trained in ethics, responsible conduct of research, and proper animal care and use. The program will culminate with The Colloquium of Undergraduate Research in Ecology ('The CURE'), a symposium of oral presentations delivered by REU students and other undergraduate researchers at SIU. The program's multi-phase recruitment effort consists of both traditional "hard copy" formats as well as digital-based advertising. Students are selected based on academic record, prior research performance, and potential for outstanding research in ecology. Students are tracked to determine their continued interest in their academic field of study, their career paths, and the lasting influences of the research experience. Information about the program will be assessed by various means, including use of an REU common assessment tool. More information is available by visiting http://www.ecology.siu.edu, or by contacting the PI (Dr. Clay Nielsen at kezo92@siu.edu) or the co-PI (Dr. Sara Baer at sgbaer@siu.edu).