Department of Biological Sciences

Students are encouraged to become involved in research during the academic year or during the summer with URI faculty or scientists at other nearby research laboratories (e.g., NOAA, NMFS, RI-DEM, etc.).

This is only a partial list of available opportunities. Please send additional listings to Dr. Webb for posting here.

On-Campus Research Opportunities:

Students should discuss their interests with their advisor or Dr. Webb, read about faculty research interests, and then contact individual faculty members with whom they might be interested in working to find out about the availability of suitable positions. Undergraduate research positions may be paid (via research grants, Federal Work-Study program or URI student employment funds) on a voluntary basis, or may allow a student to earn academic credit (e.g., BIO 491, 492).

In addition, URI has three programs that provide undergraduates with paid research opportunities during the summer:

URI Coastal Fellows Program (full-time during the summer, and a one credit seminar in the following fall). Now in its 12th year, this is the CELS undergraduate research program, which involves >40 students and as many research labs each summer. Apply early in the Spring semester.

EPSCoR Summer Fellowships (full-time during summer). For qualified students currently enrolled in Rhode Island colleges or universities (not only URI) who are interested in participating in a 10-week research project in the life sciences. Applications due in April.

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships in Oceanography
(SURFO; full-time during the summer). This program is the National Science Foundation-funded REU (Research Enhancement for Undergraduates) program hosted by the Graduate School of Oceanography. Apply early in the Spring semester.

Off-Campus Research Opportunities:

• NSF REU Summer Fellowships (available across US)
  • Shoals Marine Laboratory NSF REU program
  • Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences NSF REU program
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Summer Fellowships
• School for Field Studies
  

Off-Campus Internships (may not necessarily be research, per se):

• New England Aquarium
• Mystic Marinelife Aquarium
• Roger Williams Park Zoo

Other resources for finding Internships:

• Office of Internships and Experiential Education

Note: The Department of Biological Sciences does not give credit toward the major for Internships, however, internship credit may count as free elective credit toward graduation. While you may elect to get credit for a summer internship, you will have to pay for the tuition for such credits. Check with Enrollment Services about tuition charges for credits earned during the summer.