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Program dates: June 7, 2010 to August 13, 2010
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) offers outstanding undergraduate students the opportunity to work closely with faculty members on cutting edge biomedical research projects. This 10-week program expects the undergraduate participants to perform at a graduate student level. Students are placed with faculty members whose research is closely related to academic interests and professional goals of the students. Each student is given his/her own project under the supervision of the faculty mentor. Students work with faculty on an individual basis or as part of a research team. Research teams may also include graduate students, post docs, research scientists and other SURP students.
Research projects are conducted under individual faculty supervision. Students are encouraged to indicate the specific area of research in which they are interested. However, the program cannot guarantee that the students will always get their first research choice. The program director reserves the right to make final placements.
During the 10-week program, participants will be taught important research skills and techniques. In addition, there is a mandatory seminar series component to the program with tracks specifically related to the students' areas of interest. SURP participants are expected to pursue substantive research projects over the course of the program and are required to make a full-time commitment (at least 40 hours per week) to their research as guided by their faculty research mentor. Students will be required to write a research paper summarizing their projects and will also be required to make a presentation to their fellow participants, faculty mentors and others at the end of the program.
SURP participants are encouraged to build both social and academic networks with one another and with members of the university community. Participants are encouraged to organize and coordinate activities with their peers during off-hours. The Graduate School provides planned activities and events for all SURP participants. Participants may not enroll for classes or hold other employment during the period of the program.
Students participating in SURP are registered for this 15 hour course, which does appear on an MUSC Transcript. The description for this course is:
CGS 761 - Laboratory Observation and Apprenticeship. This 10-week summer course provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to work with a faculty member on a funded research project and acquaints students with an area of specialized research currently under investigation in the faculty member's laboratory. The course will provide hands on experience with many research skills, which may include molecular, cellular and biochemical techniques, data entry, analysis, and management. During the training period the student will receive a structured overview of important research areas in the biological sciences and participate in discussions of the ethical conduct of research. This course is 10 weeks in length, with a minimum of 40 hours a week working in the lab. In addition to the 40 hours, students will also participate in a 10-hour Biomedical Research Ethics training during the first week, and one-hour seminars after the first week of the program. Students will select a track of seminars which to attend from the following areas: Cancer, Cardiovascular, Neuroscience and Oceans and Human Health. The student's personal goals and interests will be identified and linked with those of their faculty mentor in this interactive experience. At the conclusion of the training period students are required to prepare a brief written paper and give an oral presentation on their own project. Open to Summer Undergraduate Research Program students exploring research as a possible career direction. 15 s.h.
Tuition for 15 S.H. in the College of Graduate Studies for summer semester is $7,176.00 for out of state students and $4,698 for in state students. Tuition is waived for the SURP participants.
  
Photographs: Charleston, far left, 2009 student sponsored by NIH Cardiovascular Biology Grant, center, student and mentor collaborating on research, far right.
Charleston, SC is a beautiful place in which to spend a summer. During free time students may enjoy the many historical and cultural aspects of the area - or even just enjoy a trip to one of the area's beautiful beaches.
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