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

南伊利诺伊大学(SIU)获得了本科生研究体验(REU)现场奖，该奖项将在2013-2015年的夏季为10名学生提供为期10周的研究培训。该项目的目标是通过附属于S生态中心的12名教职员工的不同研究项目，为学生提供用于在一系列研究领域(包括土壤、植物、动物和多种生态系统)和过程(生态格局和变异性、生态对环境退化的生态反应、生态恢复反应以及保护和管理)进行生态研究的各种工具。该计划将使学生沉浸在研究和教育活动中，目的是通过开展研究项目，培养(1)动手进行科学探究(从观察到结论)，(2)发展多样化的生态技能--通过有指导的量化领域和实验室方法，(3)通过每周阅读和讨论对科学交流的理解和信心，(4)通过每周研讨会提高对生态科学的广泛认识，以及(5)通过对当地自然和文化区的教育实地考察更好地了解生物多样性(包括人类文化)。学生还将接受道德、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。该计划将在本科生生态学研究座谈会(“治愈”)上达到高潮，这是一场由乔治亚州立大学的学生和其他本科生研究人员发表的口头报告研讨会。该项目的多阶段招聘工作既包括传统的硬拷贝形式，也包括基于数字的广告。学生是根据学业成绩、以前的研究表现和在生态学方面的杰出研究潜力来挑选的。对学生进行跟踪，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验的持久影响。关于该方案的信息将通过各种手段进行评估，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，，或联系国际和平组织(Clay Nielsen博士，电子邮件：kezo92@siu.edu)或共同国际组织(Sara Baer博士，电子邮件：sgbaer@siu.edu)。

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).