Life as a Summer Undergraduate Researcher

You are here: Home → Undergraduate Portal → Summer Undergraduate Research Program → Life as a Summer Undergraduate Researcher

Dates

The period of the program for the summer of 2012 are from May 24^th to August 3^rd. It is expected that students will normally be working here at Penn State throughout this time. If these dates conflict with your school's academic schedule please let us know on your application form. It may be possible to arrange alternative dates in some cases.

Stipend

Students will receive a stipend of $4,800 for the summer.

Travel Support

For out of state students we will be able to reimburse you for some travel expenses to and from Penn State. The University Park campus is located in central Pennsylvania, in the town of State College. State College is about a three hour drive or bus ride from Pittsburgh, about four hours from Philadelphia, Washington DC or Baltimore and five hours from New York. Flights into State College are available through Detroit, Philadelphia, Cincinnati or Washington Dulles. For more information about traveling to State College, visit Penn State visitors' guide webpage.

Housing Arrangements

Visiting REU participants will be housed in apartments that are a short walk from the Department of Chemistry. Students will be responsible for making their own arrangements for meals. A number of restaurants are available both on campus and off campus. On campus meal plans are available. Convenience stores are also within easy reach should students want to use the apartment kitchens.

Please let us know if you will be staying in the housing provided (above). Parking is an option but will be an extra charge.

Activities

The first full day on campus will be spent on an orientation tour of the chemistry department, research facilities, libraries, and Penn State campus. This includes recreation and cultural facilities, and other resource centers. You will meet your faculty advisor and the graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in your research group. During the first weeks of the summer, we offer an introductory safety course and a workshop on utilizing library and electronic resources. Additional professional development workshops will be offered throughout the summer.

Throughout the ten week period we will have a weekly seminar where faculty will describe their work or other exciting current developments in their field. There will be plenty of time for discussion and questions. There will also be picnics, outings and other recreational activities organized. The aim is to encourage the participating undergraduates to get to know the graduate students, postdocs and faculty on an informal level. This is one of the best ways of really getting a feel for what a career in chemistry is all about.

Symposium

At the end of the summer students present their work at a symposium. Each student will present a short talk and poster about their research to an audience of students and faculty advisors. We will provide training and assistance in preparing both the poster and presentation. In 2011, 105 students participating in undergraduate research across campus took part in the symposium, giving students broad exposure to research at Penn State and experience presenting their work in a professional meeting environment.