IBS-SRP

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I come to UW-Madison for a summer research program?

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has one of the strongest biological research communities in the US. It offers graduate training programs in over 40 areas of biological research.

Past student participants in the IBS-SRP report that it successfully met their expectations, which included determining whether graduate school was right for them, checking out UW-Madison for grad school, and learning particular research techniques.

The UW-Madison Center for Biology Education has administered IBS-SRP since 1990.

Is the IBS-SRP open to minority students only?

No. The National Science Foundation (one of our primary funders) has endorsed opening Research Experience for Undergraduate programs to non-minority students who attend small liberal arts colleges in addition to minority students. Both minority students from all universities and non-minority students from small universities (without broad research opportunities) are encouraged to apply to the IBS-SRP.

What Happened to SRP-Bio?

The Summer Research Program in Biology (SRP-Bio) was the name of the summer research program administered by the Center for Biology Education from 1990 to 2005. This new program, the Integrated Biological Sciences Summer Research Program (IBS-SRP) , replaces the SRP-Bio. The new name highlights the integrated nature of our program, which brings together faculty in diverse areas of biological research from across campus. Each student in the program belongs to a small disciplinary cluster (e.g. Neurobiology or Plant Biology), and also to the large IBS-SRP cross-disciplinary group. Large group activities focus on helping students make connections across these diverse areas of biological research through evolutionary theory , and on learning about the research process generally.

Are the IBS-SRP research projects focused on evolutionary theory?

No. Student research projects focus on the sub-disciplinary areas (e.g. Computational Biology or Cellular & Molecular Biology). As part of the large group activities, students learn about evolutionary theory, and then explore how it connects it to their research.

How many students do you accept?

Each year we accept 20-25 students into the program from a pool of about 400 applicants.

What are the ethnicity/gender ratios for the IBS-SRP?

Since 1990, ~67% of the summer program participants were minority students and ~77% were women.

How are applications reviewed?

An initial screen of applicants is made by the IBS-SRP staff. Files on the best-qualified applicants are forwarded to particular faculty mentors based on research interests expressed by students in their applications. Faculty review the applications and choose which individual is a 'good fit' for their research. After making a choice, each mentor contacts the student to confirm her/his interest in a specific research project and to offer her/him a summer research position.

Housing costs are covered. What does that mean?

Participants in the IBS-SRP are housed in the Regent apartment building, which is within walking distance of laboratories and State Street (i.e., downtown Madison). Participants from other summer programs are housed in the same building. Students who prefer to find their own housing are reimbursed for some portion of their housing costs.

If preference is given to students between their junior and senior years. Can I get in if I'm going to be a junior?

We favor students between their junior and senior years since this will be their last chance to participate. However, we accept well-qualified students between their sophomore and junior years.

My grade point average isn't quite 3.0. Should I apply anyway?

We occasionally accept promising students whose GPAs are less than 3.0. Be sure to tell us WHY you are a 'promising' student in your essay and, if possible, make sure your recommendation letters indicate that this experience would be worthwhile for you and that you'll perform successfully.

I'm a UW-Madison student. Can I apply to the IBS-SRP?

You must be a member of a minority group (e.g., African American, Hispanic, Native American, Southeast Asian, Native Alaskan or Native Pacific Islander) OR be a low-income and first generation college student to apply. ALSO, the Graduate School administers the McNair Scholars Program, which funds 2-3 students/year to join the IBS-SRP. To qualify for McNair funding, you must be a member of a minority group OR be a low-income OR a first-generation college student.

Can I enroll in summer school or have a job while participating in the IBS-SRP?

No. IBS-SRP participants do research full-time (at least 40 hr/week). The idea is to enjoy an intensive research experience when you are freed from the schedules and obligations of coursework.

I noticed there are other summer research programs in the biological sciences at UW-Madison. Can I apply to more than one?

All of the biological sciences summer research programs share one application. Applicants simply rank their choice of programs. You can be considered for multiple programs with one application.

Contact

Program Coordinator
Brian Asen
beasen@wisc.edu
(608) 262-5267
Program Director
Dr. Janet Branchaw