This award provides funds to Northern Arizona University to continue a successful Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site. The project will be sponsored by the three colleges at the University; Arts and Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Engineering and Technology. Under the guidance of Faculty Mentors students will conduct research in the neural and behavioral sciences. The total research internship integrates two major components. During the year-long research internship, students receive training in research design, statistics, reading complex scientific literature, introduction to advanced technologies in research design and implementation, seminars in the history and philosophy of science, and an integrated lecture- discussion series that covers the range of research topics in neural and behavioral sciences. The program combines this training phase with research experiences during the academic year. Scientists from the Department of Biology and the Department of Psychology will sponsor 10 research internships for undergraduates. The Department of Vocational and Technological Education will provide training in advanced technologies, including basic computer training (wordprocessing, graphics, statistics, electronic communication) and training in the application of computer assisted design systems for production of research software and instrumentation. The Science and Mathematics Learning Center will provide coordination and administrative assistance for the project, and also training in the basics of experimental design, statistics, reading scientific literature, scientific and technical writing, and collaborative learning. Scientists from all participating departments will contribute lecture-discussion series on neural and behavioral research.
