The present proposal outlines a strategy for the recruitment and long-term guidance of promising minority undergraduate students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in the natural sciences. Our primary goal is to provide opportunities to meritorious undergraduates for "hands-on" research experience in areas of the natural sciences wherein faculty members at the University of Guam continue to demonstrate reputable expertise, i.e., marine chemistry, coral reef ecology reproductive physiology, systematic, biogeography, environmental biology, geological oceanography, and marine biogeochemistry. The proposed enrichment program will match faculty members with students expressing interest in specific research programs. In addition to training in basic and specialized research techniques, students will receive counseling with regard to coursework, career orientation, methods for scientific publication and presentation, selection of optimal graduate programs, and preparation of application materials for graduate schools.
