Shannon Point Marine Center

The Marine Center at Western Washington University hosts a summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program that brings students from around the country to participate in educational and research activities. Western Washington University students participating in SPMC's academic courses and the graduate Marine and Estuarine Science Program also have the opportunity to conduct research projects.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program provides support for undergraduate students to conduct independent, supervised research with a faculty advisor.

Each summer, eight students will be selected from a national pool to spend nine weeks at the Shannon Point Marine Center working with faculty supervisors in designing and conducting the research projects. At the end of the session, students will produce a written and an oral report based on the results of their research. In the past, student research projects have included work on productivity and nutrient cycling in local watershed systems, marine microbial ecology, marine chemical ecology, physiology of symbiosis, ecology and physiology of seaweeds, larval development, morphology of marine invertebrates, and environmental toxicology.

Compensation

Student support includes a $4,500 stipend plus a $630 food allowance, a travel allowance and housing at the Shannon Point Marine Center.

Apply

This year's application deadline has passed.

Applications are due by Wednesday February 15, 2017.

Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and its possessions and must be enrolled in a 2- or 4-year institution of higher education. Students who have received a bachelor’s degree before the start date of the program are ineligible. Continuing SPMC’s long-standing tradition of working with diverse student groups through the Multicultural Initiative in Marine Science Undergraduate Program, we strongly encourage applications from underserved, underrepresented and underprivileged groups.

Applicants are required to submit a letter describing their general background and interests in pursuing a research experience, undergraduate transcripts, and one letter of reference from an individual familiar with the student's academic performance by February 15, 2016.

Helpful Hints for Submitting the REU Application Materials
1. Your letter of interest should include your name on the letter. (For example, use a general business letter format with your name, address, date and to whom the letter is addressed.)
2. Official transcripts are preferred; however unofficial transcripts will be considered.
3. The Letter of Recommendation may be sent directly from the person writing the letter to the email address (SPMC@wwu.edu) or our mailing address. It may sent separately from your other application materials.
4. The Application Form may be sent by email (Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, or other webmail).
Additional helpful hints are available in this document.

Funding for this REU site is provided by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Ocean Science's located in Arlington, VA. The NSF contact for this program is Lisa Rom, elrom at NSF.gov or 703-292-7709. NSF does not handle REU applications; please contact each REU site directly for application information.

All students who are offered a position at this REU Site have until March 15th or later to accept or reject the offer. Any student who is asked to accept or reject an offer prior to March 15th should contact the National Science Foundation.

Western Washington University is committed to ensuring that all programs and activities are readily accessible to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, Vietnam era veteran or disabled veteran status.

Questions / contact

• Name: Dr. Brian Bingham
• Email: SPMC@wwu.edu