Intensive 10-11 week or 16 week research training experience, 15 or 20 undergraduate credits from University of Washington.
NEW for 2006 - one semester long (16 weeks) Apprenticeship offered in Autumn.
$3000 in
support provided to each research apprentice enrolled in the 10-11 week program,
or $3500 for apprentices enrolled in the 16-week program.
Live and work at Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL), world-renowned marine science research facility on 484-acre biological preserve, San Juan Island, Washington (75 miles northwest of Seattle).
Excellent student/faculty ratio: Each team of 5-16 students led by 1-4 faculty mentors plus 1-4 RAs (grad students or post-docs).
Intensive, full-time research training experiences are offered to qualified undergraduates and post-baccalaureates for 10-16 weeks (one full quarter or one full semester) in Spring, Summer and Autumn. One to four teams of 5-16 students each work on one focused research problem guided by a group of faculty, postdoctoral and graduate student mentors. Students selected for participation receive financial support ($3000) to defray costs for room and board at FHL and tuition charged by University of Washington.
There will be three options for Spring 2006, one option for Summer 2006 and four options for Autumn 2006. New for 2006 -- there will be a semester long apprenticeship in Autumn, 2006 (16 weeks). Applications are due on January 15th for Spring Quarter teams, March 1 for Summer Quarter and July 1st for Autumn Quarter. Applications for the semester long apprenticeship are due June 10, 2006. Students accepted into the quarter long programs will register for 15 credits and the students registerd for the semester long program will register for 20 credits. Students should consult with their advisor prior to registration.
"This award recognizes a program that gives University of Washington undergraduates a research experience of unique intensity, focus and independence. The Friday Harbor formula - three months at a superb marine biology field station, small research teams, dedicated faculty mentors - changes students' lives and launches careers in research."
Applications welcome from undergraduates or post-baccalaureates from any academic institution. Applicants do not need to be currently enrolled at the University of Washington or at any other university or college. See Application Information for further details.
There have been more than 300 Research Apprentices at Friday Harbor Laboratories since the program inception in 1999.
In a survey of all past Research Apprentices, 94% rated the value of the program to their career as "Excellent" or "Very Good."
"These apprenticeship courses are fantastic. They allow the student to actually participate in scientific research and show us the way to learn more than we had thought possible in one quarter."
"I would not trade the experience for anything. It changed how I view science completely."
"I learned how to collaborate with a group and work independently, gained experience in various scientific techniques and wrote my first scientific paper."
"I am so glad I had the opportunity to come here, it is the highlight of my year and something I never could have imagined beforehand. I feel privileged to have studied here."
"I learned about research by doing research . . . the best way!"
"This is an ideal place to study, live and research."
"I was expecting intense research, and it was definitely intense, but it was fun too."
"This was the most learning I have done yet in college. Keep this program!"
"Lots of hands-on experience, research and technology. Small class size and individual attention."
"This was one of the best ... OK ... THE best class I have ever taken. I learned a ton!"
"My experience at Friday Harbor will be something I will never forget. It was excellent ... a wonderful opportunity to have as an undergraduate."
"I learned an incredible amount of information this quarter in the most exciting new way."
"A wonderful and inspirational introduction to research!"
"It was an incredible experience ... It gave me the passion to stick with biology - the real work is not out of a textbook and my time at FHL really made that clear."
"I really can do independent research!"
"The facilities were fantastic as well. It was incredible to be permitted to use such powerful instruments to accomplish our tasks."
"With the small class size I was able to interact with the professors and RAs at a level I've never known before."
"Just an absolutely amazing experience - and fun!"
"These apprenticeship programs truly give students a taste of what research is like ... I am no longer intimidated by what graduate school involves, nor as scared of professors."
"I have learned so much and had a great time doing it."
"Great facilities, nice community, beautiful location, all the equipment!"
"The community at FHL has been a wonderful part of this experience. Living with people who love science and come to science with different backgrounds and perspectives has been wonderful. I have never been involved in a course I have loved so much and in which I have learned so much."
"It was great to have so much personal attention in this small group ... Gained great experience in giving presentations and presenting scientific papers ... I am proud of what I have learned and achieved."
"I consider my experience at FHL to be the most valuable of my academic career."
Spring Quarter, Research Apprenticeship
March 27 - June 3, 2006 - 10 weeks
Biology 499 (15 credits)
Dr. Dave Carroll
Department of Biology - Florida Institute of Technology
Dr. Lisa Moore
Department of Biology - Florida Institute of Technology
Dr. Steve Stricker
Department of Biology - University of New Mexico
Currently, most research conducted on egg maturation and fertilization has been done using a few intensively studied model organisms, such as sea urchins, frogs, and mice. Although these analyses have provided numerous important insights, it is becoming clear based on data obtained using eggs and sperm from some other animals that several fundamental differences in the mechanisms of maturation and fertilization can be discerned across the animal kingdom. This course aims to broaden the overall scope of such analyses and test various currently held paradigms, by taking advantage of the rich invertebrate fauna that is available in the vicinity of Friday Harbor Labs. Students will initially receive introductory lectures related to egg maturation, fertilization, and the techniques used to study these topics before embarking on both individual and group projects along the broad theme of signal transduction mechanisms that underlie maturation and fertilization. By combining specific pharmacological inhibitors and agonists with various methods (e.g. microinjection, calcium imaging, confocal microscopy, immunofluorescence, western blotting, kinase activity assays, electrophysiology, and recombinant DNA technology), students will be able to assess the potential roles of various signaling components, including cAMP/PKA (protein kinase A), MAPK’s (mitogen-activated protein kinases), modulators of MPF (M-phase-promoting factor), PTP’s (protein tyrosine phosphatases), SH2 (src homology domain 2), PLC (phospholipase C), IP3 (inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate), and apoptotic pathways, as they affect maturation and fertilization in a wide variety of animals. The net result of this research is that it will help to answer a fundamental question in developmental biology: how do eggs mature to a point where they can be successfully fertilized, and once mature, how is the egg triggered by sperm to begin embryogenesis?
Enrollment limited to 8 students.
For additional information contact: dcarroll@fit.edu, lmoore@fit.edu or sstr@unm.edu
Spring Quarter, Research Apprenticeship
March 27 - June 3, 2006 - 10 weeks
Biology 499 (15 credits)
Dr. Christiane Biermann
Portland State University
Jessica Marks
Ph.D. Candidate
University of Bergen, Norway
In this apprenticeship, students will use DNA markers to understand the ecology, evolution and conservation of marine organisms. Research questions we tackle include studies on gene flow, systematics, and species identification. During the first two weeks of the apprenticeship, a series of lectures and laboratory exercises provide the students with an overview of the principles, tools and techniques that are commonly employed in molecular ecology. After this introduction, apprentices will develop and pursue research projects of their choosing; from design, field sampling and labwork to analysis and scientific data presentation. Project results from previous years' apprenticeships can be viewed at http://web.pdx.edu/~biermann/MME. Apprentices will emerge with skills in PCR, DNA sequencing and fragment analysis, and an appreciation for the possibilities and pitfalls of applying molecular methods in marine biology and ecology.
Enrollment limited to 8 students.
For additional information contact: biermann@pdx.edu or Jessica.Marks@bio.uib.no
Spring Quarter, Research Apprenticeship
March 27 - June 3, 2006 - 10 weeks
Biology 499 (15 credits)
Dr. Shaun D. Cain
University of Washington
Dr. James Murray
University of Central Arkansas
Studies using the neural circuits of marine invertebrates have provided many insights into the general principles that govern nervous system function in all animals. These invertebrate systems have several advantages over vertebrate models, the foremost being the relatively small number of neuronal elements present, as well as the large size of the individual neurons. These factors allow for the identification and manipulation of reidentifiable neurons from preparation to preparation, thus building a wealth of data from individual neuronal elements and providing insights into the functioning of neural circuits and the behaviours they control. In particular, the preparation used in our research, sea slug Tritonia diomedea, has proven to be exceptionally amenable to cellular analysis.
In this apprenticeship, the overriding theme of the research team will be to develop new methods for studying the neural control of behavior in unrestrained, freely behaving animals.
The team will focus on Tritonia diomedea because it represents a model system that will allow us to work out the methodological problems associated with recording from long-term in animals free to move about in a fairly large space. Apprentices will be exposed to a variety of techniques commonly used in neurobiological and neuroethological research, including anatomical, molecular, biochemical, electrophysiological and behavioral methods, as well as new techniques to record from cells in unrestrained animals. During the Apprenticeship, each team member will be involved in conducting an original research project. Possible areas of investigation include:
1) Identification of neurons responsive to earth-strength magnetic fields;
2) Motor control or ciliary beating;
3) Sensory stimuli that integrated to guide orientation behavior
4) Direct motor control of muscles involved in steering and
5) Recording neuronal activity in freely behaving animals using fine-wire technique.
Enrollment limited to 8 students.
For additional information contact: crabboy@u.washington.edu or james.murray@mac.com
Summer Quarter, Research Apprenticeship
June 12 - August 19, 2006 - 10 weeks
Biology 499 (15 credits)
Dr. Pedro Verdugo
Department of Bioengineering - University of Washington FHL
Dr. Wei-Chun Chin
School of Engineering - University of California, Merced
The understanding of how Carbon is cycled in our planet is critical to the future of humans and other species. At the present time we have an estimated overload of ∼ 3.5 Gigatons of CO2 discharged to our atmosphere every year. Policies to effectively limit fossil fuel burning have so far proved to have limited reception among industrialized countries. In addition, the mechanisms whereby Carbon is cycled remain poorly explored. About 50% of the global photosynthetic process takes place in ocean, and although the photosynthesis molecular machinery is now well understood, the cellular mechanisms of storage and release of moieties produced by phytoplankton species, which are among the main photosynthetic reactors of our planet, are still poorly understood. Similarly the fate of these molecules, their chemical, physical, and biological interactions and their ultimate destination remain as one of the most exciting and significant challenges in geochemistry and marine biology.
These critical issues are the focus of this apprenticeship. The apprenticeship will include:
1) The remarkable power of methods and theory of polymer physics to investigate the dynamics of polymeric materials found in seawater.
2) Advanced techniques of cell and molecular biology to investigate the cellular mechanisms of exopolymer production by phytoplankton and the kinetic and thermodynamics of exopolymer degradation by marine bacteria.
Students will evaluate scientific literature, formulate scientific questions, design protocols to address their questions, conduct experiments, and critically evaluate and write their results. They will learn how to conduct water sampling transects. They will get trained in the use of several spectroscopic techniques, including laser photon correlation spectroscopy, fluorescent spectroscopy and flow cytometry. Confocal microscopy, image analysis, immunocytochemical methods, and tissue culture techniques will be used in studies of bacteria and phytoplankton.
The 5-8 apprentices accepted to this class are expected to have basic background in biology, completed their credits in general and organic chemistry and physics, and have an understanding of basic algebraic formulations. The class will be open to Engineering, Biology, Chemistry and Physics undergraduates.
For additional information contact: verdugo@u.washington.edu
Autumn Semester , Research Apprenticeship
August 21 - December 9, 2006 - 16 weeks
Biology 499 (20 credits)
Dr. Sarah Gilman
University of Washington, Friday Harbor Laboratories
Melissa Frey
Ph.D. Candidate
University of California, Davis
Marine benthic ecosystems are notorious for exhibiting extreme environmental heterogeneity over small spatial scales. Over scales of meters to kilometers, organisms may encounter significant differences in environmental conditions, such as emersion times, wave exposure, and community composition. This heterogeneity presents a challenge to marine organisms because traits that allow an individual to succeed in one environment may be detrimental in others. Local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity are common responses to environmental heterogeneity. In turn, dispersal, which influences how frequently individuals encounter variability within or between generations, shapes these adaptive responses. In this course, apprentices will investigate how marine populations balance local adaptation, phenotypic plasticity, and dispersal to counteract the challenges of living in a spatially heterogeneous environment. A primary objective of the course is to train apprentices in both experimental and molecular approaches to marine ecology. Through lectures, readings, and discussions, as well as field excursions and demonstration labs, students will gain hands-on knowledge of: marine ecology and the natural history of the San Juan Islands, experimental design, basic techniques in molecular ecology, and current ecological and evolutionary theory of environmental heterogeneity.
Apprentices will form research teams of 2-4 students. Each team will develop an independent research project that includes the following components:
• Identify a study system, including a species and a variable environmental condition (e.g. temperature, wave exposure, prey type, habitat structure, etc.).
• Design and conduct field and/or laboratory experiments that measure variation in individual response to the environmental condition.
• Use molecular techniques (e.g. mitochondrial genetic markers) to assess genetic structure and connectivity among populations.
Each group will integrate their experimental and molecular results, and communicate their findings and conclusions in an oral presentation and a written report.
Enrollment limited to 8 students.
For additional information contact: gilmans@u.washington.edu or mafrey@ucdavis.edu
Autumn Quarter, Research Apprenticeship
September 25 - December 9, 2006 - 11 weeks
Ocean 499
(15 credits)
Dr. Jan Newton
University of Washington
Breck Tyler
University of California, Santa Cruz
The primary research objective of this course is to investigate the physical-biological coupling of oceanographic processes and biota in the San Juan Archipelago. This work is timely and important for several reasons:
In order to understand the functioning of the Basin's complex ecosystem, it is essential to determine which processes are predominant in shaping the physical environment. These will also determine directly the habitat available for prey and predator species. If these elements can be linked, it will be possible in the future to assess the status of regional biota by means of remote observing systems.
The primary educational goals of this course are to have apprentices examine the workings of a marine ecosystem from top to bottom in order to understand how coupling with oceanographic processes leads to spatial and temporal variation in biotic patterning. We used the natural laboratory of the waters adjacent to San Juan Island to begin to explore the mechanisms responsible for variability in the region. We will focus on two study sites in San Juan Channel, one in the dynamic outer Channel (near Cattle Pass) and the other in the broad inner Channel (northern end). Specifically, apprentices will be asked to:
Instructors are an interdisciplinary team. Dr. Jan Newton for oceanography (physical and biological) and Dr. Breck Tyler for upper trophic levels (seabirds, marine mammals) will be the lead instructors. Dr. Terrie Klinger has agreed to participate on average once per week to contribute knowledge of benthos, larvae, and local processes. We will recruit a graduate student RA from School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences to cover fish. We also plan to pull in a broad spectrum of guest lecturers, including other oceanographers, zoologists, and local experts.
For additional information contact: newton@apl.washington.edu
Autumn Quarter, Research Apprenticeship
September 25 - December 9, 2006 - 11 weeks
Fish 492 (15 credits)
Dr. Don Gunderson
University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
Dr. Gary Greene
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and San Jose State University
Several species of groundfish in the San Juan Islands have been overexploited,
and are at extremely low levels of abundance. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
have been proposed as one approach to rebuilding them, and several exist within
close proximity to Friday Harbor Laboratories. The San Juan County Marine Resources
Committee is concerned about evaluating the effectiveness of current MPA's,
and welcomes interaction with the apprentices involved in the
program. The San Juan Channel is a natural laboratory for examining ecological
processes, on similar habitats, within and outside Marine Protected Areas.
Undergraduates will undertake relevant field projects and conduct laboratory
experiments on live fish. Faculty and researchers at FHL will provide critical
expertise on invertebrate communities, marine botany, and general ecology.
Interaction with the Marine Resources Committee offers students exposure to
the importance of policy and local governments in resource management, and
the scientific support required to guide their decisions. This apprenticeship
is offered as a course in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (Fish
492).
For additional information contact: dgun@u.washington.edu
Note: Fish 492 will substitute for some degree requirements in the SAFS major and may be used to fulfill SAFS's Capstone Requirement. Please direct inquiries to Lin Murdock. Students in other majors and schools should check with their departmental adviser to assess how the credits may be applied.
Autumn Quarter, Research Apprenticeship
September 25 - December 9, 2006 - 11 weeks
Biology 499 (15 credits)
Dr. Jonathan Alberts, Dr. Kerry Kim, Dr. Adriana Dawes
Center for Cell Dynamics, UW-Friday Harbor Laboratories
There is increasing recognition among biologists that understanding biological systems/networks of even modest complexity requires the aid of computational modeling. These models have greatly advanced our understanding of biological systems responsible for movement, division, pattern formation, and cell fate commitment. Additionally, models that reconstruct these systems have revealed unexpected emergent behavior such as astonishing robustness to variability and operation at or near theoretical optima.
This apprenticeship will provide an opportunity to build research-level, biologically realistic simulations of networks to gain deep insights into their workings. Basic lectures, exercises, and readings will introduce apprentices to fundamentals of gene networks, empirical and computational analysis of gene network dynamics, and computer modeling of such networks. Specific topics include:
Apprentices will work in small groups modeling specific gene networks. Each team will work closely with a faculty mentor to develop and carry out an intensive study of their chosen topic. Apprentices will become experts at public scientific speaking by making frequent presentations of their projects as they proceed, and by making a final, public seminar presentation. Possible topics include:
Prerequisites: One semester (or 2 quarters) of calculus and introductory biology, a willingness to immerse yourself in a fascinating scientific problem, and an enthusiastic determination to learn. We expect apprentices to develop new skills in areas they may not have thought of yet, learning from both their instructors and peers. Accordingly, we will choose class participants to bring a balance of skills. Grading is based on all aspects of course participation and on a combination written and oral presentation of projects. Enrollment limited to 8 students.
This apprenticeship is sponsored by Friday Harbor Laboratories and the NIGMS (National Institute of General Medical Sciences) Center for Cell Dynamics.
Additional information about this apprenticeship can be found at: http://raven.zoology.washington.edu/celldynamics/courses/RA2006/
For additional information contact: jalberts@u.washington.edu or kjkim@u.washington.edu
"Our lives were immersed in science, meal times were filled with discussion about the day's results and new experiments in progress. Students from across the country joined us for brief periods, all with unique and interesting subjects of study."
"If you apply yourself, your time at FHL will be filled with a period of intense growth and development as well as advancement of your skills as a scientist. Working in the tight knit community will redefine your understanding of a team concept and open your eyes to the potential that a focused group with a singular goal can have.''
Many answers to questions about the Research Apprenticeship program can be found in the general FAQs and student FAQs. The following information refers specifically to the Research Apprenticeship program.
How is the financial support disbursed?
Each apprentice living on the FHL campus receives $3000 (or $3500 for the semester-long
apprenticeship) in support to help
defray their expenses for room & board at FHL and tuition.
NOTE: Research Apprentices do not need to request financial aid in order to receive the support awarded to all Apprentices, but may submit a request for financial aid if additional support is needed.
What are the expenses?
FHL ROOM AND BOARD --
$1442 TOTAL for Spring 2006 (10 weeks) or Autumn 2006 (11 weeks, less 3.5 days off for Thanksgiving*), $721 TOTAL for Summer 2006, or $2300 TOTAL for Autumn Semester (16 weeks, less 3.5 days off for Thanksgiving*).
* Note: students may stay on campus during the Thanksgiving weekend, but generally the FHL Dining Hall will be closed on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), Fri, Sat, and Sun morning, reopening for Sunday dinner - cooking facilities made available to students during this closure.
UW TUITION -- tuition rates are set by the University of Washington.
SPRING QUARTER 2006:
$1870 tuition for Washington State residents (students not currently or recently enrolled at UW will be charged an additional $38 registration fee); STATE RESIDENCY: to determine if you are a Washington State resident for purposes of tuition, please review the information provided at the following University of Washington web site: http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/residency.html
$2890 tuition for non-residents not matriculated at University of Washington, registering for UW Extension credits (most visiting, non-resident, non-UW students choose this option). To receive UW Extension credit, visiting students are admitted to the University of Washington in non-matriculated status which means that an individual is not working toward a degree at the University of Washington but is earning credits that are probably transferable to another institution. Students may want to check with their home institution to ensure that this is an acceptable status.
$6636 tuition for non-residents matriculated at University of Washington.
ESTIMATED EXPENSE EXAMPLES for SPRING QUARTER 2006:
Washington state residents: program costs will be $1870 tuition + $1442 room and board = $3312 total. The $3000 in support provided to each FHL Research Apprentice will cover all but $312 of these costs in Spring '06.
Out-of-state residents not matriculated at University of Washington, registering for UW Extension credits: (most visiting students choose this option), program costs will be $2890 tuition for Spring Quarter + $1442 room and board = $4332 total. Thus for most out-of-state residents not matriculated at UW, the $3000 in support provided by FHL will cover all but $1332 in costs for tuition, room and board at FHL in Spring '06.
Out-of-state residents matriculated at UW: program costs will be $6636 tuition + $1342 room and board = $7978. FHL will provide $3000 in support leaving an estimated balance of $4978.
NOTE: Students who face financial constraints may submit a request for additional financial assistance (only for those seeking assistance in addition to the $3000 awarded to all Research Apprentices). Additional financial aid is awarded on the basis of both financial need and academic merit.
ESTIMATED EXPENSE EXAMPLES for AUTUMN SEMESTER 2006:
Expenses are $2400 tuition plus $2300 for 16 weeks room and board at FHL equals $4700 total, less $3500 in support from FHL equals $1200 net cost to students.
Autumn tuition fees for FHL courses are the same for all students, including Washington State residents and non-residents, and for students matriculated at University of Washington or from other educational institutions.
Each FHL research apprentice in Autumn Semester receives $3500 in support from FHL to help offset expenses.
ESTIMATED EXPENSE EXAMPLES for AUTUMN QUARTER 2006:
Expenses are $1900 tuition plus $1442 for 11 weeks room and board at FHL equals $3342 total, less $3000 in support from FHL equals $342 net cost to students.
Autumn tuition fees for FHL courses are the same for all students, including Washington State residents and non-residents, and for students matriculated at University of Washington or from other educational institutions.
Each FHL research apprentice in Autumn Quarter receives $3000 in support from FHL to help offset expenses.
TRANSCRIPTS: to receive a transcript for a course or apprenticeship completed at FHL, follow instructions provided at the following University of Washington web site: http://washington.edu/students/reg/transcripts.html#Q1
How can I learn more?
For additional information, please contact FHL Student Coordinator, Stacy Markman at
fhladmin@u.washington.edu or (206) 616-0753.
You may also check out the web site from a previous apprentice team:
Molecular Evolution of Multigene Families in Marine Invertebrates.
or review an article about the apprenticeship program.
2004 Apprenticeship archive.
General Information