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Undergraduate Engagement in Ocean Science Research

C-CoMP is developing undergraduate curricula and research experiences that showcase the ocean sciences and provide multiple entry points into the ocean science research community.

A photo of the R/V Atlantic Explorer docked at BIOS.

 

 

 

 

 

Undergraduate students in C-CoMP programs will participate in capstone events hosted at Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS). Part of the BIOS campus is depicted in this picture along with the R/V Atlantic Explorer (AE).

Image credit: Laura Gray, WHOI

Tobacco Bay, located in St. George's, Bermuda, is located 10 minutes away from BIOS.

Image credit: Laura Gray, WHOI

Four filter towers arranged on a bench in a lab at Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filter towers are used to separate microbial cells from seawater using negative pressure in one of the labs at BIOS.

Image credit: Laura Gray, WHOI

Local field work at BIOS can involve day trips to different underwater locations around Bermuda in smaller vessels.

Image credit: Laura Gray, WHOI

This lab bench is set-up with equipment that is used for culturing microorganisms isolated from seawater.

Image credit: Laura Gray, WHOI

Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs)

 

C-CoMP faculty are developing introductory level CUREs that provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to generate and pursue a research question as a component of their coursework. Students are encouraged to pursue both data- (computational, modeling) and wet lab-based questions. CUREs allow students to earn credit towards their major while learning the scientific method and process. CURE courses will be offered both at partner institutions and in collaborations with faculty at two-year colleges and minority-serving institutions through CUREnet, a national network of people and programs established with NSF funds. Coastal facilities affiliated with our institutions (e.g., WHOI, UGA, UVA, BIOS) will host capstone research weekends for CURE students and faculty.

 

CUREs encourage student integration into the scientific community as indicated by increased science self-efficacy and awareness of career options. CUREs also fosters increased understanding of the nature and processes of science.

Professional development for education and outreach

 

In the first year of C-CoMP, faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers will participate in 8 hours of professional development facilitated by Erin Dolan based on the established Entering Mentoring curriculum. Mentorship education will be embedded in the C-CoMP culture and achieved through professional development activities during annual project meetings and online training. Senior personnel involved in CUREs and VIP teams will participate alongside teaching-intensive faculty collaborators in an additional 20 hours of professional development on CURE design and instruction, based on the successful CUREnet model.