UC San Francisco offers exciting summer research opportunities for undergraduate students in the health sciences.
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OVERVIEW
The deadline to apply for 2015 is February 2. You must apply before midnight on this date. Please be encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Students selected for summer research at UC San Francisco spend up to ten weeks working with UCSF faculty members on research projects. Participants in the program take part in seminars, lectures, and social events, creating a cohesive and supportive community. At the end of the program, students give presentations of their research and get valuable feedback from students, postdocs, and faculty at UCSF.
In order to be eligible for the Summer Research Program at UCSF, students must:
- Be a currently-enrolled undergraduate student. (We cannot accept students who will have earned their bachelor's degree by the end of the spring 2015 quarter.)
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident.
- Have a desire to pursue a PhD in one of the disciplines offered by the UCSF Graduate Division in life/health sciences listed below.
- Have completed at least four semesters or six quarters of undergraduate study prior to the beginning of the Summer Program.
- Be able to participate for the entirety of the program. (The 2015 programs will run May 26 – July 29.)
- Read more about what will make you a strong candidate.
PROGRAMS
Although the funding sources for these programs vary, students in the following programs will participate primarily as a single group.
Summer Research Training Program (SRTP)
The SRTP provides research opportunities in the biomedical and biological sciences. Students are supported in these programs by funds from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Genentech, the University of California Office of the President, and UCSF Graduate Division.
NSF-REU Summer Research Program
The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program provides state of the art hands-on training in the methods and logic of molecular biosciences with the goal of facilitating undergraduate students' successful transition to graduate research. Mentors for this program are drawn from the entire UCSF faculty and broadly represent all major approaches to modern biology.
Amgen Scholars Program
The Amgen Scholars Program provides summer research opportunities at UCSF for undergraduates in science and biotechnology. In addition to the summer research experience at UCSF, participants join other Amgen Scholars from across the country at a symposium where they share their summer experiences.
Graduate Group in Biophysics
The Graduate Group in Biophysics offers students the opportunity to sharpen their research skills and enhance their graduate applications. In addition to laboratory research, all participants take part in all other aspects of the Summer Research Training Program (SRTP) for a comprehensive summer program.
Graduate Group in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics
The Graduate Group in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics offers students the opportunity to sharpen their research skills and enhance their graduate applications. In addition to laboratory research, all students participate fully with the Summer Research Training Program (SRTP) for a comprehensive summer experience.
UCSF-Tuskegee Partnership in Bioengineering
The UCSF-Tuskegee Partnership in Bioengineering provides summer research opportunities with bioengineering faculty at UCSF for undergraduate students at Tuskegee university majoring in engineering or the physical sciences. Additional activities are provided during the summer and school year to train students how to design experiments, critically analyze data, and effectively communicate results to the scientific community.
GO TO the online application for 2015.
A completed application must include:
- Application and personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- Copy of college transcript(s)
Program Features
In addition to daily research, students also participate in:
- Seminars on scientific and professional development
- Journal talks
- A GRE preparation course (optional)
- Small group meetings and activities
- Social and cultural events
- Oral and poster presentations
Participant Benefits
Students receive a total package worth over $8,000 including:
- $ 4,000 stipend
- A $500 allowance for travel to and from San Francisco
- Housing in San Francisco (double-occupancy)
- Health insurance coverage
- Public transportation pass
Graduate Programs and Summer Research Areas
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Bioengineering
Biological and Biomedical Informatics
Biomedical Sciences
Biophysics
Cell Biology
Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Developmental Biology
Epidemiology and Translational Research
Genetics
Neuroscience
Oral and Craniofacial Sciences
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics
Due to the volume of inquiries about the Summer Programs, we regret that we can no longer respond to questions from potential applicants over the phone or through individual emails. If you have questions, you must first create a user name and password in the online application system; then, click on the "support" link in the upper right hand corner of the page. You will be able to submit your question via the application system, and we will assist you as soon as possible.