Research is carried out at medium energy electron accelerators, in particular the university-based MIT/Bates Linear Accelerator Center. The main goal is to use the precision and versatility of the electron probe to study the structure of matter. The energy of the accelerator allows us to 'see' matter at distances where phenomena are governed by the strong nuclear force. Experiments are carefully designed to gain insight into the quark structure and dynamics of nuclear matter. This is a contemporary field of research that uses recent technological advances in the production of electron beams and nuclear targets coupled with specially designed detection systems. At the Bates Center we conduct experiments with multiple magnetic spectrometers capable of making high precision measurements to advance the science. We are also involved in the construction of a new detector,the Bates Large Acceptance Spectrometer Toroid (BLAST). Up to date information in the development of these projects can be found at http://mitbates.mit.edu. Our research program under this grant provides an excellent environment for the educational development of students and postdoctoral personnel.