WaterREU

The DoD's ASSURE (Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Experiences) Program in partnership with the National Science Foundation and The Water Center at Colorado State University offer a unique opportunity for 15 undergraduate students from four-year colleges and universities to conduct independent research in Water Science and Engineering during 8 weeks each summer under the guidance of faculty in the departments of Civil Engineering, Geosciences, Soil and Crop Science, Chemical and Bioresource Engineering, Fishery and Wildlife Biology, and Forest,Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship. The goal of the program is to provide a comprehensive research experience which will motivate students toward a research career in water. Students will work in teams including faculty, graduate students, and staff to conduct research and gain hands-on experience in laboratory and field research methods. Applications must be submitted by March 7, 2008.

Financial Support for Students

$3,000 stipend per student for the 8-week period.
Housing in CSU dormitories will be arranged by program coordinators.
A travel allowance of up to $300 will be provided for the actual cost of travel from the student’s residence to Colorado State University.

Eligibility

Must be an undergraduate student at a four-year college or university and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its possessions. An incomplete list of appropriate disciplines follows:

Agricultural Economics	Civil Engineering	Microbiology
Agricultural Engineering	Ecology	Natural Resources Management
Agricultural Sciences	Environmental Science	Natural Resources Recreation
Biochemistry	Fishery Biology	Range and Forest Management
Biological Science	Forestry	Range Ecology
Chemical Engineering	Geology	Soil and Crop Sciences
Chemistry	Hydrologic Science	Watershed Science

Must be either a junior or a senior and have at least one semester left prior to graduation as of June 1, 2008.

Research Project Areas

For examples of research projects during previous editions of our REU program, point your web browser to the following links:

1997 Students/Research Projects
1998 Students/Research Projects
1999 Students/Research Projects
2002 Students/Research Projects
Pictures Summer 2002

Deliverables

REU participants must prepare and submit a final research report by the end of the summer program.
In addition, REU participants must make a poster presentation on the results of their research at a closing REU symposium.

REU students are strongly encouraged to participate in the annual undergraduate student research symposium organized by The Water Center at Colorado State University.

Finally, for exceptional projects, provisions will be made for attendance and presentation of the research at the annual American Geophysical Union Hydrology Days Conference, held annually at Colorado State University.

General Program of Activities

REU participants will gain comprehensive research experience through field and laboratory research, literature synthesis, laboratory analyses, modeling, statistical analyses, technical writing, teamwork, and oral communication. Interaction with faculty members and graduate students will facilitate and enhance the research experience.

Summer Calendar

June 2, 2008 - 9:00 - 10:30 A.M.
Orientation Meeting in B103 Engineering Building.
Fill out Pre-Experience Questionnaire

June 2, 2008 - P.M.
Afternoon meetings with faculty mentors.

June 4, 2008 - 11:00 A.M.
Research proposal presentations. B103 Engineering Building.

June 27, 2008 - 8:00 A.M. (All day)
Field trip to the Cache La Poudre watershed.
Meet at the base of the north stairs of the Lory Student Center.

July 1, 2008 - 9:00 A.M.
Seminar: The Future of Civil Engineering in a Transforming World. by Professor Evan Vlachos, Department of Sociology, CSU.
Room B103 Engineering Building.

July 8, 2008 - 8:00 A.M. (All day)
Field trip to Loch Vale, Rocky Mountain National Park.
Meet at the base of the north stairs of the Lory Student Center.

July 15, 2008 - 1:00 P.M.
Workshop on Presentation Skills.
Room B103 Engineering Building

July 18, 2008 - 9:00 A.M.
Ethics in Scientific Research and Water Resources by Professor Stanley Schumm, Professor Emeritus, Department of Geosciences, CSU.

July 25, 2008 - 9:00 A.M.
Closing symposium - Room C141 Academic Village.
Post-Experience Questionnaire.

Field Trips and Seminars

An important component of the research experience of the REU Program in Water Science at Colorado State University is participation in several field trips and bi-weekly workshops and seminars. Examples of seminars and workshops from the 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2002 Summer Research Experiences include: a history of water development and water rights issues in the West, and a four-part sequence of workshops on ethics in engineering science and research. Fellows participated in the following field trips in 1997, 1998, and 1999: a geomorphologic survey of the Cache-La Poudre river; a full-day, guided visit to Colorado Big Thompson Project hosted by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District; and a guided visit to the Engineering Research Center. A variety of seminars and field trips are being scheduled for the 2003 program; some of the same sites may be visited and additional trips planned to complement the 2003 research objectives.

Other Activities

The city of Fort Collins and the Front Range of Colorado provide an ideal setting for outdoor activities of all types: hiking, kayaking the Cache-La Poudre river, white water rafting, cycling, rock climbing, and camping. There are also numerous concerts, festivals, and other cultural activities throughout the summer. Information on these activities will be provided to the fellows upon arrival at Colorado State University.

Participant Application Procedure

Eligible student applicants must submit:

A completed application form, including a 1-2 page essay describing your research interests in water and indicating what relevant courses you have taken in the past and any previous research experience. Only on-line applications will be accepted.
Two letters of reference from faculty members who can comment on your potential for academic research. Letters of reference must be sent by each faculty reference via e-mail to:
Jorge A. Ramirez<ramirez@engr.colostate.edu>
Transcripts from all colleges attended showing all courses completed and grades, and a list of courses in which you are currently enrolled. Transcripts must be official and mailed to:

WaterREU
c/o Professor Jorge A. Ramirez
Civil Engineering Department
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1372

Deadlines:

February 21 , 2008
Faculty Mentor Applications must be received at Colorado State University. Only on-line Faculty Mentor applications and research proposals will be accepted.

March 7, 2008
All REU participant application materials must be received at Colorado State University. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Applications must be completed on-line; letters of reference may be mailed, or e-mailed; and transcripts must be mailed.

March 21, 2008
Selected students will be notified by e-mail.

April 4, 2008
Selected students must notify Colorado State University of acceptance.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Jorge A. Ramirez
E-mail: Jorge.Ramirez@ColoState.edu
Phone: (970) 491-7621 - Fax: (970) 491-7727

Dr. Ellen Wohl
E-mail: Ellen.Wohl@ColoState.edu
Phone: (970) 491-1392

Dr. Sara Rathburn
E-mail: Sara.Rathburn@ColoState.edu
Phone: (970) 491-6956

Ms. Linda Hinshaw
E-mail: lhinshaw@engr.colostate.edu
Phone: (970) 491-5049 - Fax: (970) 491-7727

Colorado State University does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, or political affiliation. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Office.