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Undergraduate Research Programs and Summer Experiences
| Center for Civic Engagement | School of Engineering |
| City of Houston |
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Beyond Traditional Borders (BTB)
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BTB offers unique, multi-disciplinary programs to educate and train students to reach beyond traditional disciplinary and geographic boundaries to understand, address and solve global health disparities, empowering them to develop and implement appropriate biotechnology and bioengineering solutions that integrate science, engineering, health, policy and economics.
Beyond Traditional Borders Scholars Program
Rice undergraduate students are invited to apply to the Beyond Traditional Borders Scholars program to gain research experience developing a health technology of importance to advancing health in low-resource settings. The BTB SCholars program seeks to promote student achievement and provide a scientifically rigorous within the field of global health technologies.
BTB Scholars program features collaboration on a global health research project with a BTB faculty mentor. Scholars will be matched with their BTB faculty mentor for up to two years. First-year scholars may present their research for feedback from a diverse group of mentors. Second-year scholars will submit drafts of research papers for feedback. The scholar's work will be presented at the BTB Global Health Technologies Conference. Scholars willl also be provided with a competitive stipend ($15/hour) provided for the first year by BTB.
Contact: Yvette Mirabal, Director BTB, ymirabal@rice.edu, 713-348-4549
Eligibility Requirements: Students may apply after they ahve taken Global Health Technologies minor GLHT201: Bioengineering and World Health. While recommended, it is not required that applicants be pursuing a minor in Global Health Technologies.
BTB GLHT400 Global Health Challenge Independent Research Projects
Students who have begun the GLHT minor sequence and who wish to pursue additional GLHT projects may complete an independent global health challenege research project. Interested students should visit Dr. Rebecca Richards-Kortum or Dr. Maria Oden to discuss independent research projects.
Contact: beyondtraditionalborders@rice.edu, Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Maria Oden
Eligibility Requirements: For undergraduates pursuing the Global Health Technologies minor.
BTB International Summer Internship
Students who have taken one of the affiliated BTB GLHT minor courses may apply for a summer internship placement with a BTB international collaborator. Interns will have the opportunity to implement their course-related global health design challenge project. Information and application forms for this program are available at http://www.beyondtraditionalborders.rice.edu/. Interested students may read about the experiences of previous BTB international summer interns at http://www.owlsbeyondborders.rice.edu/.
Contact:beyondtraditionalborders@rice.edu
Eligibility Requirements: For undergraduates pursuing the Global Health Technologies minor.
Biochemistry and Cell Biology (BCB)
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BIOS 115: Freshman Seminar in Local Biology Research
This mini seminar is most easily summarized as "read the paper, tour the lab." Students read two primary research articles guided by written homework and class discussion. The featured article for each section is from a Rice lab and the course culminates in a reception and tour of the featured lab (featured labs differ for each section). Four additional activities and tours include a scientific seminar, a tour of the instructor’s lab, a tour of a medical center department, and a science-related social activity. The course takes place during the 2nd half of each semester. Enrollment is only open to first-year college students (not transfers).www.bioc.rice.edu/bioc115/
BIOS 310: Independent Research in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
This is a research-for-credit course in which students perform research in faculty labs in the Rice University Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology and elsewhere in the Texas Medical Center, prepare a research proposal, weekly reports and a research paper (Fall) or poster (Spring), and receive course credit for their effort. Section 1 is for those performing research in the BCB Department. Section 2 is for those performing research off-campus in the Texas Medical Center (TMC). Please read the Bioc 310 manual for complete course information, prerequisites, and requirements. http://www.bioc.rice.edu/bioc310
Note: Students wishing to perform their BIOS 310 researrch off campus must submit and application to the BIOS 310 instructor, Dr. Dereth Phillips (derethp@rice.edu), at least 2 weeks before the start of the semester for permission to enroll. The BIOS 310 application for section 2 (off-campus research) may be obtained from the BIOS 310 website. Students should be aware that paperwork for off-campus institutions must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester to ensure that they are able to obtain off campus IDs. Students working off campus may not take BIOS 310 for fewers than 3 credit hours (9 hours of research/week).
Contact: Dereth Phillips, derethp@rice.edu , 713-348-2343
Rice undergraduates who are interested in summer research in the Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology may apply for the Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering (IBB) Summer Research Institute (SRI). The SRI provides intensive, mentored research experiences for Rice undergraduates who are interested in pursuing graduate level education after graduation. The goal of this program is to give undergraduate students the opportunity to carry out an individual mentored research project to prepare them for becoming a more independent graduate level investigator. In addition to the primary research project, the scientific program includes research and career development seminars, a student journal club, and a concluding symposium in which all students give presentations about their research. The summer institute online application must be accompanied by your Rice transcript, and a written resume sent by email to BCB_summer_institute@rice.edu; the Letter of Support from the research mentor must be emailed directly by the sponsoring faculty member to the same email address. Questions may be addressed to the program email address, BCB_summer_institute@rice.edu, but please consult the program guidelines first.
Contact: BCB_summer_institute@rice.edu
Deadline: March 31, 2010
BCB-Opportunities Owl-Space site
On this “joinable” site we post various biology-related opportunities that we encounter. Examples include: research opportunities, summer internship programs, fellowships, jobs, study abroad, etc. This site and mailing list is a great way to hear about biological and biomedical research opportunities on and off the Rice campus. To join, log on to your Owl-Space account and go to “My Workspace”-> “Membership” -> “Joinable Sites” and select BCB Opportunities.
Contact: Dereth Phillips, derethp@rice.edu, 713-348-2343
Eligibility: Must have background in the sciences
BIOS 401/402/412: BCB Honors Research
The Biochemistry and Cell Biology Honors Research Program is a suite of courses offering our seniors and advanced juniors the opportunity to perform a two-semester individual research project in a research laboratory in Biochemistry & Cell Biology. This immersive porgram is intended to give students a first-hand experience of what a career in research would entail. Students interested in graduate school are strongly encouraged to apply for consideration for honors research.
Please note that Honors Research Prgoram courses function as a set and must all be taken the same academic year. Registration for any of the coursese requires a commitment to register for all three.
Applications are accepted February 1- May 1. Students are encouraged to apply ASAP. Applications received by April 1 will be reviewed by the committee in time for spring registration. Applications may be obtained from the BCB Honors Program OwlSpace and submitted to Dr. Michael Covington (mc22@rice.edu).
Contact:Dereth Phillips,derethp@rice.edu , 713-348-2343
Eligibility: Overall B average & B's or better in upper division Biosciences courses; course prerequisites may also apply.
International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition (iGEM)
The International Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) is the premiere undergraduate Synthetic Biology competition. Student teams are given a kit of biological parts at the beginning of the summer from the Registry of Standard Biological Parts. Working at their own schools over the summer, they use these parts and new parts of their own design to build biological systems and operate them in living cells. This project design and competition format is an exceptionally motivating and effective teaching method. http://ung.igem.org/Team.cgi
Contact:Joff Silberg
Eligibility: Must have background in sciences.
Catalyst Rice Undergraduate Science and Engineering Review
We are currently looking for writers for reviews and popular science articles. More information can be found at http://catalyst.rice.edu/submissions.
January 5: Research abstract deadline
January 9: Initial submission for reviews and original research
January 23: Editing Deadline for all editors
February 15: Editing Deadline for Faculty Reviewers (give back to writer)
February 24: Final Draft due to Editorial BoardContact:David Ouyang, catalystRUSER@gmail.com
Bioengineering (BIOE)
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BIOE 400: Engineering Undergraduate Research
Course offered for independent investigation of a specific topic or problem in modern bioengineering research under the direction of a selected faculty member. Research project must have a strong engineering component.
BIOE 401: Undergraduate Research
Course offered for independent investigation of a topic or problem in modern bioengineering research under the direction of a selected faculty member.
Contact: Ka-Yiu San, ksan@rice.edu
Center for Civic Engagement (CCE)
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CCE Fellowship Program
The CCE Fellows program enables undergraduate students to complete substantive, high-quality research and/or design projects that are faculty-supervised and conducted in collaboration with a Houston-based partner. The program funds both research and design projects. Fellows program runs from May to August. Each CCE Fellow will receive a summer research stipend of $4,000. Application (due February 5, 2010) available at http://ccrd.rice.edu/fellows/?linkidentifier=id&itemid=235
Contact:Stephanie Post, post@rice.edu, 713-348-2223
Eligibility Requirements: Non-graduating undergraduates.
Center for Technology in Teaching and Learning
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Rice Online Learning Experiences K12 Project
Sponsored by the Center for Technology in Teaching and lEarning, this project seeks to help in having students research the effectiveness of electronic textbooks and digital curriculum in improving teacher quality and student achievement.
Contact: Reid Whitaker, reid@rice.edu
Eligibility Requirements: This program is open to all students regardless of major
Chao Center for Asian Studies
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Asian Studies Major Advances Undergraduate Research Award (AURA)
With the generous support of the Gee Family Association, the faculty of the Asian Studies Program are soliciting proposals from Asian Studies majors to support advanced research, study and community/public service projects. Through three to four $700-$1000 awards we plan to support Asian Studies majors who need extra resources to support interdisciplinary academic research, valuable internship or pre-professional school work experience, unique cultural study opportunities or performances, and innovative community and public service projects.
Contact: Michele Verma, chaoctr@rice.edu
Eligibility Requirements: Current Asian Studies Major.
Houston Asian American Archive Summer Internship Program
The HAAA Summer Internship Program is designed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Houston's immigrant history by researching, preserving, and sharing the rich history, diverse cultural legacy, and continuing contributions of Asian Americans to the city. In the summer of 2010, we began conducting oral history interviews among the first generation Asian Americans in the Houston area as the first step toward developing a centralized oral histroy archive of the experience of Asian Americans in Houston.
General project goals include understanding motives for immigration and their expectations of living in Houston, gaining an understanding of the initial experience of newcomers, and understanding how the political, social, and economic conditions in Houston shaped the immigrant experience over the decades.
The Houston Asian American Archive of oral history interview recordings, full text transcripts, and personal artifacts is housed in the Woodson Research Center of Rice University's Fondren Library.
Contact: Brian Hammer, Associate Director, brian.hammer@rice.edu, 713-348-8083
Deadline: February 25, 2011
City of Houston
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City of Houston Internship
The Volunteers Initiative Program offers college students the opportunity to work alongside high-level city managers and department heads in a professional, yet educational environment. The Volunteer Initiative Program's mission is to develop future leaders who are civically aware of the need for public service in today's youth and to guide and teach these individuals for their future service in the public sphere. The City of Houston's Internship Program offers both graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to learn about and contribute to the diverse functions of the nation's 4th largest municipality. In addition to experiencing the daily challenges and rewards of public service, the interns also participate in a series of Brown Bag Seminars featuring City Officials presenting overviews of what it takes to run the local government, discussing the work of specific departments and providing insights into issues that confront the City of Houston today. The Volunteer Initiative Program is determined to train, guide, and empower the youth of the future through the City's Internship Program.
Visit the website for more info: http://www.houstontx.gov/volunteer/internships.html
City Hall Fellows
City Hall Fellows is a Teach For America-style leadership training program that simultaneously serves as a mini-think tank for partner local governments. The primary initiative is a 12-month-long, post-college, pre-graduate school fellowship program that integrates hands-on, full-time work experience inside local government with intensive training in how cities work and the people, issues and organizations that influence local policy. The Fellows spend their service year working on high-need government-run initiatives in cities where they have personal ties.
Visit the website for more info: http://www.cityhallfellows.org/
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
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We seek to educate the next generation of environmental scientists and environmental citizens by expanding our course offerings and by increasing hands-on, local, and applied learning opportunities.
Even as they strive to further enhance research, the EEB faculty has a deep commitment to students. They share a love of the natural world that inspires their teaching. The Department offers unique experiences in field courses that study biodiversity in the Big Thicket, coral reefs and global change in Belize,, and bird migration in our coastal marshes. Students at all levels share in the research in EEB laboratories, and many undergraduates publish work in top journals. Faculty in EEB understands cooperation and how both faculty and students benefit from being part of a team. www.eeb.rice.edu
Contact: Dr. Scott Solomon, ses4@rice.edu, 713-348-2661
Community Involvement Center (CIC)
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International Service Project to Guatemala
The Community Involvement Center’s fourteenth annual International Service Project (ISP) will once again be returning to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala from approximately May 15-29, 2011. Join the Community Involvement Center as a participant on this amazing two-week service immersion experience. The trip is open to all Rice University students who will be returning for their fall 2011 semester. In Guatemala, the students, along with one staff advisor from the Community Involvement Center, will stay at a rural hotel that is rented by the parish in San Lucas and used as dormitories. The first two days of the trip will focus on traveling and orienting the students to Guatemala and the issues related to its poverty. This includes a tour of the many service sites and an introduction to the workings of the parish in the community. For more information about the trip and to apply, please visit the Community Involvement Center's website http://cic.rice.edu.
Contact: Sarah Hodgkinson, sarah.hodgkinson@rice.edu, 713-348-6409
Deadline: 5:00 pm on January 26, 2011
Earn a stipend of up to $7,500 for a summer of international service in Latin America and Asia! As a Loewenstern Fellow you will have the opportunity to serve in a 6-12 week placement, receiving a stipend to pay for travel to/from host country, living expenses, program fees, and other expenses. Fellows will participate in direct service work and will be required to select their individual project through a list of approved third-party providers. More detailed information on the scope of the program and the application process is available at http://cic.rice.edu.
Contact: Mac Griswold, griswold@rice.edu, 713-348-6163
Deadline: 5:00 pm on January 26, 2011
School of Engineering
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George R. Brown International Opportunities for Engineers
We have entered into agreements wtih notable engineering schools around the world to provide our undergraduate students opportunities to conduct summer research in an international setting. These experiences will foster collaborative research relationships with colleagues worldwide, cultivate your academic research skills, and foster the development of the intercultural skills necessary to become a globally competent engineer. We anticipate research internship opportunities being availbale in:
Foreign language skills are not required for internships at any of thes locatiosn as all work interactions will be conducted in English. However, this would be a great opportunity to practice or learn a bit of Hindi, Chinese, Spanish, or Arabic with the colleagues and friends you will make both inside and outside the lab!
Read about the experience of last year's IIT interns at http://internationalengineering.blogs.rice.edu/
Scholarship will be provided to School of Engineering participants to offset a major portion of the program and living costs.
Contact: Ratna Sarkar, Associate Dean for Global Initiatives, rgs1@rice.edu x. 4239
Eligibility Requirements: Sophomores and Juniors with research experience
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay Summer Research Program
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are often ranked among the top 10 in the world for engineering education. In 2008 Rice University and IIT Bombay entered into an agreement that enables Rice University students to participate in ten-week international research experiences with leading IIT Bombay researchers during the summer term. 4-6 Rice students will be chosen for the program and scholarships will be provided to School of Engineering participants to offset a major portion of the program and living costs. You can read about the experience of last year’s four IITB interns at http://blogs.engr.rice.edu/. The online application will be available at http://international.engr.rice.edu/ in early-to-mid February .
Contact: Ratna Sarkar
Eligibility Requirements: Engineering students who have completed junior year; also, those that have completed their sophomore year and have had significant research experience. Students majoring in math, physics, and chemistry may also apply; however, they are not eligible for School of Engineering Scholarships but could seek out funding from their own School or academic departments.
NanoJapan: International Research Experience for Undergraduates
Generously supported by an NSF Partnership for International Research & Education (NSF-PIRE) grant, NanoJapan seeks to cultivate interest in nanotechnology among young U.S. undergraduate students, especially those from underrepresented groups, and encourages such students to pursue graduate study and academic research in the physical sciences. Recognized as a model for international education programs for science and engineering students, NanoJapan will provide U.S. undergraduates with structured research opportunities in Japanese university laboratories with Japanese mentors focused on the study of THz dynamics of nanostructures. Selected participants will receive international airfare to Japan, departing from Houston, and a $4,500 stipend to be used towards living costs while abroad. The online application deadline for the program is January 28, 2011 and more information can be found at our program website: http://nanojapan.rice.edu
Contact: Sarah Philliips, nanojapan@rice.edu, 713-348-6362
Eligibility Requirements: U.S. Citizens currently in your freshman or sophomore year
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