BMSC Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

Bamfield Research Internships – Program Description

Our BMSC Bamfield Research Internships (BRIs) 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 BRI program offers a full immersion research experience for motivated undergraduates and recent graduates. 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 interns of diverse backgrounds and interests to participate in a 3- or 6-week summer research project in the marine sciences during July and August.

Both the mentors and projects will vary annually according to the developing research interests of on-site research teams. Research projects will be designed by mentors 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 university credit through a Directed Studies course.

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 to one another and the BMSC community. Interns may also write a final report describing their work, with input from their mentor. These reports will be bound and published in the BMSC library.

Questions? Contact the BMSC University Programs Coordinator:

Email: university@bamfieldmsc.com
Phone: 250-728-3301 ext. 219

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.

BMSC 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.

2024 Bamfield Research Internship Fees

BMSC fees includes accommodation, meals, and user fees. These fees do not include tuition at your home university if you are interested in obtaining Directed Studies credit through a BRI.

• Internship deposits must be received by May 1st to hold your place.
• Deposits are not refundable.
  
• Deposits are applied towards your BMSC fee.

Financial Support

Details coming soon about financial support to meet costs of room, board.

Eligibility

BRIs are available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, with priority given to undergraduate students registered at one of BMSC’s member universities (UVIC, UBC, UAlberta, SFU, UCalgary), or recently graduates 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

1. Fill out and submit the 2024 Summer Course Online Application Form, and check the ‘Bamfield Research Internship‘ box.
2. Prepare a statement of interest, a maximum of 300 words. Include your statement in the 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.
3. 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.”
4. Save your CV as a pdf with a file name starting as noted above, e.g. “SmithJohn_CV.”
5. 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, 2024. Your references must submit reference letters directly to BMSC, they should NOT send the letter to you.
6. Email your transcripts, CV, and reference(s) to the University Programs Coordinator (university@bamfieldmsc.com).
7. Applications are due on April 1, 2024.

Research Mentors:

We will be contacting all BRI applicants for follow-up information:

1. 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.
2. Once the research mentor list is available, please consider your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice.
3. 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!