This award provides funds to continue a successful Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site program in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The Department will work in partnership with a select group of undergraduate institutions, including predominantly minority institutions, to provide students with the kind of research experience only available at a major comprehensive research university. This REU program will complement an internship program for MU students funded through a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Faculty participant's research programs center on the theme "Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Approaches to Biological Problems," and utilize methodology raging from recombinant DNA technology, to immunocytochemistry, to sophisticated electrophysiology. All participating faculty are personally involved in their research projects, are well-funded, and have a history of successful partnerships with undergraduates interns. While the research experience is the cornerstone of the summer program, multiple and varied opportunities for the students to develop their communication skills, and the opportunity to present their research at local and regional scientific meetings are provided. Finally, a number of enrichment activities including seminars by research faculty, an informal evening program "Science and Scientists," and a panel discussion on selecting and applying to graduate schools have been developed.
