BMSC Research Internships – Program Description
Our BMSC Summer Research Internships links undergraduate students with Faculty mentors as collaborators in marine science research projects. The program takes advantage of the pristine marine environment, remarkable biodiversity, and the scientific and technical resources at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC), a marine science research facility on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The BMSC Summer Research Internships offer a full immersion research experience for motivated undergraduates. By linking interns with marine scientists in a hands-on research experience, interns learn both the process and the substance of scientific research. The experience will expose interns to the life and work of a marine science research laboratory. The program will incorporate workshops, seminars and training sessions in addition to hands-on research.
BMSC seeks 8-10 students of diverse backgrounds and interests to participate in a 3- or 6-week summer research project in the marine sciences during July and August.
The mentors and projects may vary from annually according to the developing research interests of visiting researchers. Research projects are designed by the scientists to be achievable projects which dovetail with their research plans. Interns will work semi-independently with mentor supervision for approximately 40 hours per week. Interns may have the opportunity to obtain Directed Studies credit.
Interns will participate actively in BMSC community activities, e.g. attend seminars, eat in the Cafeteria and live in the student dorms. Early in the summer session, there will be a meeting of student participants with graduate students and mentors to share perspectives on graduate programs and participation in academic life, with a brief description of ongoing projects, and a question/answer session. At the end of their internship, interns will present their research in a short PowerPoint talk. Interns will also write a scientific paper describing their work, with input from the mentor. These reports will be bound and published in the BMSC library.
Questions? Contact University Programs Coordinator, Heather Alexander:
Email: university@bamfieldmsc.com
Phone: 250-728-3301 ext. 216
BMSC Setting
Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre is a world-class teaching and research facility located on the outer west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada, situated in the traditional territory of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, a Nuu-chah-nulth Nation and member of the Maa-nulth Treaty Society.
The Marine Centre supports diverse coastal and marine research of the highest calibre and is recognized as among the very best research and training facilities in the world.
Explore the diversity of this dynamic coastal environment, from exposed rocky shorelines, expansive sandy beaches, productive estuaries, and ancient coastal temperate rainforests.
2023 BMSC Research Internship Fees*
BMSC Research Internship fees includes accommodation, meals, and user fees.
| Application Fee |
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| Internship Deposit |
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| BMSC Fees |
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- Internship deposits must be received by May 1st to hold your place.
- Deposits are not refundable.
- Deposits are applied towards your BMSC fee.
*Fees are subject to change.
Financial Support
Details coming soon about financial support to meet costs of room, board.
Eligibility
The BMSC Research Internships are available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada during their undergraduate careers, with priority given to those undergraduate students registered at one of the member universities (UVIC, UBC, UAlberta, SFU, UCalgary), or recently graduated from one of the member universities. This opportunity is also open to international students with the appropriate student visas.
The Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre is committed to providing equality of opportunity and an environment that fosters respect for all members of the BMSC community.
How to Apply
- Fill out and submit the 2023 Summer Course Online Application Form, and check the ‘Research Internship‘ box.
- Prepare a statement of interest, a maximum of 300 words. Include your statement in the 2023 Summer Course Online Application Form. Tell us who you are and what you have accomplished to date, and who you want to be and how you want to get there. If appropriate, mention how your project choices relate to your goals.
- Obtain pdf copies of all your university transcripts (unofficial is acceptable). Change the file name for each pdf to your “last name, then first name, e.g. “SmithJohn_Transcript1.pdf.”
- Save your CV as a pdf with a file name starting as noted above, e.g. “SmithJohn_CV.”
- Provide the name of a professor or employer who can comment on your qualifications. We suggest you contact them to ask whether they would write a letter of recommendation for you. Letters of recommendation are due on April 15th. Your references must submit reference letters directly to BMSC, they should NOT send the letter to you.
- Email your transcripts, CV, and reference(s) to the University Programs Coordinator (university@bamfieldmsc.com).
- Applications are due on April 1, 2023.
Research Mentors:
We will be contacting all Research Internship applicants for follow-up information:
- We will be providing a list of researchers who have agreed to supervise your Internship in the coming weeks. At present, please see the list of BMSC researchers for ideas.
- Once the research mentor list is available, please consider your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice.
- We will provide a follow-up form to all applicants so you may select your choice of mentors.
Did you conduct a Summer course or Fall Directed Studies project that you’d like to pursue to publication?
Check out our Undergraduate Research Fellowship opportunity!