Summer Research in the Sciences and Mathematics at Hamilton College

Summer 2009

Hamilton College offers its students outstanding  opportunities to conduct hands-on collaborative research in the sciences, computer science and mathematics. During the summer of 2009 we expect ninety students to conduct research on campus, collaborating with faculty on projects in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, neuroscience, physical chemistry, physics and psychology. Many of these projects will lead to papers co-authored by students.

All Hamilton students with a serious interest in research are encouraged to apply for a summer grant. Grants are awarded to rising sophomores, juniors and seniors. 

PLEASE NOTE: competition for science research grants becomes more intense each year, and no student can be assured that he/she will be awarded a grant. We encourage all students to back up their applications by applying for off-campus research positions and by pursuing other summer employment opportunities. 

The first step of the application process is to seek the support of a faculty sponsor and commit to a single research project with one faculty member.  Several of the science departments will hold informational meetings in late January to introduce students to ongoing or planned research projects, and to describe the skills required. The Chemistry Department will meet with interested students on Sunday, January 25 at 4:00 pm. Biology has planned a Bio Expo on Monday, January 26 from 5-7 pm to introduce students to all aspects of the Department's opportunities. The Psychology Department will discuss summer opportunities at a meeting from 12-1 pm on Monday, January 26 in Science Center #3040.
 
The application for summer research in 2009 must be submitted by 2:00 pm on Monday, February 16, 2009.  The Summer Research Committee will evaluate applications and announce the grant decisions as soon as possible, but no later than  Friday, March 13.  Please complete and submit the online  application at your earliest convenience, but not later than February 16. The application requires students to identify one specific project and faculty supervisor and requests the dates of employment, to be determined in conversation with te research supervisor.

Student researchers will be paid a $400 weekly stipend. Eight week research appointments are typical, but the Committee will consider applications for both longer and shorter projects. Often research begins in late May or early June, but the Summer Research Committee will be flexible in offering shorter grants if another time frame is better suited to the project or the superviosor's schedule.  

Students accepting a summer research grant agree to abide by Hamilton College Standards of Conduct, as outlined in the Hamilton Student Handbook, and they are also expected to demonstrate the professional behavior expected of a Hamilton College employee. Students receiving grants are required to write an abstract at the end of the project and to present a poster of their research at the annual Science Research Poster Session. This year's Poster Session will be held on Friday, October 30, 2009, in conjunction with Family Weekend.

• The Ralph E. Hansmann Science Student Support Fund
• The Sergei S. Zlinkoff Student Medical Research Fund

On-campus housing is available at the College at reasonable cost to students who are employed on campus. Additional information about summer housing is available from the Residential Life office, and a summer housing lottery will be held in the spring. 

If you have questions, please contact Leslie North: Lnorth@hamilton.edu.

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