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Junior/Senior · 6 weeks (June 21 - August 2) · 6 credits
If you're a serious, research-oriented student with a passion for science, this innovative, highly selective program will give you the rare opportunity to join a top-notch laboratory at one of the world's leading research institutions.
You'll interact with Cornell professors, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates, be responsible for an investigative project, prepare a research report suitable for publication, and give an oral presentation. In addition, you'll earn six college credits for a minimum of forty laboratory hours per week.
Research apprentices do not take another course, but instead attend the career-seminar portion of the "Biological Research and Health Professions" program.
Placements are available in molecular biology, cancer research, animal physiology, epidemiology, and other research areas tailored to your interests and experience. (For a list of links describing the research interests of faculty whose labs have mentored students in the past, visit "Faculty Mentor Links." Please do not contact faculty directly.)
You should expect to prepare for your apprenticeship before arriving at Summer College by reading background material provided by your lab mentor, who will contact you once you've been accepted into the program.
If applying, please keep in mind:
- Enrollment in RABS is highly competitive and extremely limited—there are only six apprenticeships available.
- Students are encouraged to apply early (postmarked by March 12 at the latest) and, if accepted, must commit to attending the program by March 28.
- Although previous research experience is not required, you should demonstrate an interest in basic science or biomedical research and have taken at least one AP Biology class and scored four or five on the AP exam, if tested. You need a grounding in cell biology in order to understand the science of the work.
- RABS applicants should submit a recommendation from their AP Biology teacher as well as from another teacher and/or guidance counselor.
- The RABS director recommends that students who have not taken AP Biology read the AP Biology textbook so that they are familiar with what other students have been learning. In addition, if you haven't taken AP Biology, you should include in your application a teacher's letter of recommendation addressing your knowledge in cell biology and your relevant research experience.
To be eligible for this program, you must have completed your junior or senior year of high school by June 2008.
Course
You'll be enrolled in:
- Special Studies in Biology (BIOG 2000 001-LAB). This course meets Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and possibly some evenings.
Program leader
Leader Dr. Karen Gellman says, "I am a Cornell-trained veterinarian and research scientist who specializes in treating performance problems in athletic horses. I love Summer College because of the diversity of opportunities. As it says on the university seal, 'any person can find instruction in any study'—the only limitations you have are ones you place on yourself. Also, Ithaca happens to be the most beautiful place in the world, especially in the summer!"