Are you interested in
science and enjoy a good mystery?
Scientific research may be for you!
Williams College science
faculty members encourage students to participate in their research programs. Because all faculty members in every
concentration are engaged in research, the possibilities are nearly limitless.
This is an opportunity to gain valuable experience and practical knowledge
doing hands-on science. Students
can begin their research right away as first-years, taking advantage of
leadership opportunities, Winter Study courses or summer fellowships. Though
many examples listed below are from the Biology Dept., just visit any science
department's web page for additional information.
Getting involved couldn't
be easier...
Science
leadership opportunities at Williams:
As a first year
student you can...
●
Work as a Science
assistant at a local elementary school; a paid position.
Staff
contact: Jennifer Swoap, jswoap@williams.edu.
●
Join BMAC: Biology Majors Advisory Committee: http://www.williams.edu/Biology/Students/BMAC/bmac.shtml
Student
contacts: tomoki.kurihara@williams.edu, merritt.edlind@williams.edu, & eugenie.du@williams.edu;
or CSAC for Chemistry
●
Attend Friday
colloquia, at which an invited scientist explains his or her recent discoveries
(BIOL: 2:30 PM in TBL 112; CHEM: 1:10 PM in TCL 202) http://www.williams.edu/Biology/News_Events_Links/Colloquia/colloquia.shtml
After your first year you can...
●
Apply to become a:
Winter
Study Program and Independent Study Research:
For WilliamsÕ one-month Winter
Study Program (WSP), biology and
other departments offer research courses targeted (but not limited) to
first-year students (e.g. BIOL 22, CHEM 17-24). Because biology is an
interdisciplinary endeavor, consider doing research with a faculty member in
chemistry, physics, computer science, or psychology. Before selecting a biology
WSP course, students must submit an application form (available on the
departmental web site). For chemistry WSP research courses, interested students must consult with one or more of
the faculty instructors listed for each course and with the Department
Chair. Biology WSP students should contact the Department Chair to
learn which faculty members
participate in training research students during WSP and then contact
those faculty members directly. As
a sophomore, consider BIOL 21: Science Beyond Williams. Create your own
opportunity to work in a corporate, university, or not-for-profit research
setting
For independent study (a research course for academic credit), employment during the academic year, or summer research, hereÕs how to find a position:
(1) Peruse the biology and chemistry department web sites
to learn about faculty research interests. (www.williams.edu/biology/;
www.williams.edu/chemistry/ )
(2) Send a simple email to each faculty member whose
research caught your eye. Tell them that their research interests you, and
inquire whether you might be able to meet with them to learn more about ongoing
projects. Alternatively, use this first email to ask whether they are
considering taking research students during the summer, for independent study,
etc. (And of course mention that you find their research interesting!) Some
departments, such as chemistry, hold a departmental open house each February so
students can learn about a variety of research opportunities.
Summer
research at Williams:
10 weeks, $3400 stipend,
dorm cost covered if student purchases a meal plan (5 meals per week is the
minimum).
All Division III
departments plus Psychology offer paid summer research opportunities: Obtain applications online or from departmental
assistant. Application deadlines: ~Feb 10; decisions are announced prior to
Spring Break. Visit the Biology website under ÒResearchÓ to complete an online
application.
MMUF/WCURF (Mellon Mays
Undergraduate Fellowship; Williams College Undergraduate Research Fellowship): 2-year research program (2 summers + 2 academic
years (paid for 10 weeks each summer plus paid part-time work during the
academic year)) for rising juniors in the sciences, humanities, or social
sciences interested in pursuing a PhD. See the Office of Special Academic
Programs (OSAP) at http://www.williams.edu/dean/osap/ . Applications due Feb. 15.
Staff contact: Molly
Magavern, mmagavern@williams.edu.
Off-campus
summer programs sponsored by Williams:
Howard Hughes Medical
Institute (HHMI) International Fellows program: Two positions available. 10 weeks, $3400 stipend,
travel and housing are paid. Applications are by invitation and self-nomination;
due February 15. Requirements: excellent work in science courses, or previous
research experience, and a willingness to navigate the many details associated
with travel and work abroad. Faculty contact: Wendy Raymond,
(wraymond@williams.edu)
Marine Biological
Laboratories (MBL)-Williams summer program: Up to six positions available each summer. Information session in
early February each year. Faculty contact: Prof. Rob Savage (rsavage@williams.edu).
Whitehead Institute
undergraduate fellows: Two positions
available; primarily aimed at sophomores. 10 weeks at the Whitehead Institute
for Biomedical Research (http://www.wi.mit.edu/ ) in
Cambridge, Massachusetts (affiliated with MIT); students must also spend the
following WSP back in the same research lab at the Whitehead. Summer and WSP housing are provided
plus $3400 summer stipend. Applications due at the same time as Biology summer
research applications.