Marine Sciences Summer Program
Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Ocean Sciences, this Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program offers undergraduates in STEM an opportunity to conduct guided research internships in marine science.
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, interns work in a research-intensive atmosphere on a topic in chemical, physical, or biological oceanography or marine biology/geology/ biogeochemistry. The program includes weekly research seminars, professional development presentations, and field trips to nearby coastal marine systems. Interns will also present written and oral reports at the close of the program. For more information, contact Dr. Joanna York at jyork@udel.edu or 1-302-831-7040.
Who can participate
Participants must be currently enrolled in a program leading to an undergraduate degree, as well as U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Students from community colleges, institutions with limited research opportunities and from underrepresented groups in ocean science as defined by the NSF are especially encouraged to apply.
Where we study
Research and teaching facilities are located at UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes, DE. Interns live at the Daiber Housing Complex, which is fully furnished with washer, dryer, air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. The complex is less than 2 miles from the Hugh R. Sharp Campus and within walking distance of downtown Lewes.
How to apply
The application period for the summer 2024 program is now closed. The summer 2024 program will run for 10 weeks from Monday, June 3 to Friday, August 9. Student support includes a $6,900 stipend, free housing, and travel assistance for the 10-week program.
Program Features
Faculty Mentors
Throughout the ten week session, students participating in the Marine Sciences Summer Program will work with faculty mentors. Mentors provide guidance in the first weeks of the internship on selection of an appropriate project. Throughout the summer, interns are guided through the process of executing the project, possibly including field work, lab analyses, and other activities. In the final weeks of the summer, students prepare a final presentation and report, again under the supervision of their faculty mentor.
Workshops, Seminars and Field Trips
Students in the Marine Sciences Summer Program are offered workshops and seminars by faculty and research experts at the University of Delaware and throughout the field of marine science.
Workshop, Seminar or Field Trip |
Speaker |
Orientation (introductions, program overview, safety, facilities tour) |
J. York |
Field Trip: Marsh Walk |
J. York |
Meet and Greet with Graduate Students |
|
Honor, Integrity, and Responsible Conduct of Research |
J. York |
Field Trip: Rutgers Aquaculture tour with Rutgers RIOS REU students |
J. York |
Intern Presentations: Proposed Research |
All interns |
Air-Sea Interactions and Breaking Waves |
F. Veron |
Small Boat Course |
J. Swallow |
Abiotic and Biotic Chemistry at Hydrothermal Vents |
G. Luther |
Field Trip: Delaware Bay, R/V Daiber |
J. York |
How's that Data Looking? Preliminary Results Discussion |
All interns, J. York |
Communicating Results from Scientific Research |
D. Kirchman |
So, you wanna get a job someday? |
J. York |
Big Fish in a Bigger Ocean- How Do You Study Mobile Marine Predators? |
A. Carlisle |
Tour of the Robotics Discovery Lab |
A. Trembanis |
Finding New Life in the Deep Ocean |
J. Biddle |
Small Boat Practical |
J. Swallow |
Going Autonomous: Mapping Coastal Ecosystems |
A. Trembanis |
How to Find a Grad Opportunity and How to Pay for It |
J. York |
Final Presentations and Lunch |
All interns |
Summer Research Projects
Marine Sciences Summer Program interns present their research projects and findings as a part of their experience, giving them both the benefit of conducting research and that of presenting their research, skills that will prepare them for science careers.
NAME |
TITLE |
ADVISOR |
Jasper M. |
Abundance and Connectivity of Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) in a Tidal Tributary of Delaware Bay, USA |
B. Campbell |
Thomas R. |
Assessing Relative Habitat Quality of Freshwater Tributaries Using Relative Abundance and Size of Resident Fishes |
E. Hale |
Reed C. |
Assessing the Size-Specific Reproductive Potential of the Male Delaware Bay Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus |
J. Cohen |
Christine C. |
Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Neomysis americana Respiration in the DE Bay |
J. Cohen |
Nicole F. |
Ocean Circulation in the North Atlantic during a past warm interval (~400,000 years ago) |
K. Billups |
Jason R. |
Investigation of the Gut Microbiota of Skeleton Shrimp |
J. Biddle |
Jackalyn W. |
The Impacts of Prescribed Burning on Phosphorus Mobility in Salt Marsh Surface Soils |
A. Wozniak |
Kira Z. |
Investigating Sea Surface Microlayer Sampling Methods and Organic Matter Composition: The Effects of Drip Time |
A. Wozniak |
Jacob U. |
Characteristics of Horizontal and Vertical DOM in Wharton's Bluff |
A. Wozniak |
Amy A. |
Methane in the Marsh: How methanogen productivity varies with carbon substrate and iron oxide mineralogy |
S. Walter |
Miriam H. |
Standard metabolic rate in Carcharhinus plumbeus and Mustelus canis differentiating energy budgets |
A. Carlisle |
Alexia E. |
Investigating the Correlation of Eye Growth Rate and Depth of Fish Species |
J. Pinti |