Science Research Opportunities
at Williams College for 2008-2009
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: Ms. Kate Dempsey, kate.dempsey@williams.edu)
- Join BMAC: Biology Majors Advisory Committee or CSAC for Chemistry
- Attend Friday colloquia, at which an invited scientist explains his or her recent discoveries (BIOL: 1:30 PM in TBL 112; CHEM: 1:10 PM in TCL 202; PHYS: 2:30 PM in TPL 205)
After your first year you can apply to become a...
- Teaching Assistant in a course you enjoyed; a paid position (5 hrs/wk)
- Math-Science Resource Center tutor; a paid position
- Peer academic tutor through the Dean's Office; a paid position
- Member of your department's or concentration's 1960s Scholars Program; discuss recent research findings and dine with visiting scientists.
Winter Study Program and Independent Study Research
Williams’ 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, here’s how to find a position:
- Peruse the biology and chemistry department web sites to learn about faculty research interests.
- 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, $3600 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 "Research" 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; first summer’s housing costs are covered)) 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/. Deadline for application: mid-February. Contact: Ms. Molly Magavern, mmagavern@williams.edu.
Off-campus summer programs sponsored by Williams
Marine Biological Laboratories (MBL)-Williams summer program: Up to six positions available each summer. 8 weeks, $2880 stipend; travel, housing, and food are paid. 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 $3600 summer stipend. Applications due at the same time as Biology summer research applications. Faculty contact: Prof. Dan Lynch (dlynch@williams.edu).