Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)
Are you a student doing research in a lab in the Biology Department?
Make the most of your summer by participating in the Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)!
Biology SURP is a ~10-week program that provides students performing summer research in the Biology Department the opportunity to grow as scientists and engage in a larger scientific and social community. All student researchers in Biology Department labs are welcome!
In this program, participants meet and learn from Biology faculty who facilitate professional development sessions that provide hands-on training and discussion on topics such as research ethics, working effectively with mentors, framing and presenting research questions, and career exploration and planning.
Summer excursions have included field trips to visit academic and industry labs in Seattle, networking events with Western alumni currently working in the field or in graduate or professional programs, and peer-led social gatherings around town and on campus. Students also receive guidance on preparing a scientific poster that communicates their research efforts to be presented in the Biology Department Poster Session held in Fall quarter.
“I really appreciated the in-depth glimpse of what it would be like have a career in science research. It gave great insight on the fact that science doesn't just happen in the lab, it's collaboration, storytelling, constant justification of work, and requires passion in the field.”
“I really appreciated the opportunity to talk to my peers about their research, which helped me discover how much I enjoy being a part of the scientific community.”
Program Benefits
- Meet and learn from Biology faculty and Western alumni!
- Strengthen your connection to the student research community in Biology at WWU!
- Network with scientists and researchers in Western Washington!
- Improve your science communication skills and broaden your knowledge of what it means to do scientific research!
Typical Program Schedule
Meetings are usually held weekly and are open to all WWU students participating in research groups.
- Kickoff/Welcome
- Scientific Posters #1: Orientation and Outline
- Aligning Expectations with Mentors
- Alumni Panel Q&A
- After Graduation (Postbac vs Grad School vs Jobs)
- Making your CV and Related Topics
- Scientific Posters #2: Progress Check/Planning
- Science Communication
- Field Trip: Exploring Seattle-area Science (All Day)
- Student Planned/Led Social Activity
- Career Planning/Mapping & CV Feedback
- Scientific Posters #3: Feedback & Finalizing
- Fall Poster Session
Financial Support
Though funding is not required for students in Biology labs to participate in SURP, students who need financial support to offset living expenses to participate in summer research are strongly encouraged to discuss their needs with their research advisor. Through the generous support of external donors to the Biology Department, a limited number of summer research awards may be available on a competitive basis and the College of Science and Engineering at WWU also offers summer research awards for which more details can be found here.
“I liked getting some more practical context for research that isn't typically discussed in classes or in the lab like getting a job and how to talk to other people about research.”
