The 2008 application period is now over. Please check back next February for the 2009 program.
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Summer Internship Program for Undergraduates
Program dates: June 4th - August 6th, 2008.
Sponsored by the Columbia University Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
Theme: Analyzing Global Databases
More detailed project descriptions added February 27, 2008.
The Lamont-Doherty Summer Intern Program offers the chance to experience scientific research as an undergraduate. The program is open to US citizens or permanent residents who have completed their junior or sophomore year in college with majors in earth science, environmental science, chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, or engineering. Neither graduating seniors nor international students are eligible. Applicants should have an interest in conducting research in the Earth or ocean sciences. Two previous Earth- or ocean-science courses are desirable if they are available to the student. All students are required to have at least one year of calculus. Students choosing research in geochemistry and chemical oceanography are required to have at least two semesters of college-level chemistry. Students choosing research in marine biology are required to have at least two semesters of college-level biology. Students choosing research in geophysics should have at least three semesters of college-level physics. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.
The Marine Geoscience Data System group at Lamont provides a freely-available tool called GeoMapApp that allows the exploration and visualisation of global data sets (www.geomapapp.org). With GeoMapApp, users can create custom maps and grids, import their own data sets and grids, and explore and visualize a wide range of global data sets. These include a multi-resolutional digital elevation model of the oceans and continents; plate tectonic information; undersea feature names; shipboard topography, gravity and magnetics data; earthquake catalogues; deep sea core data; Alvin submersible photos around hydrothermal vents; rock sample geochemistry; satellite-derived gravity and geoid grids; seismic reflection profiles, and more. GeoMapApp is written in Java and works on any type of computer. All interns will be instructed in the use of GeoMapApp during the second week of the intern program. Interns will be encouraged to use GeoMapApp during their research projects, as well as after they have returned to their undergraduate institutions. However, both the student and the supervisor will design the research program, and therefore individual projects may contain variable amounts of data collection and data analysis.
The program features:
- A hands-on research project under the supervision of a Columbia-affiliated scientist;
- special lectures, workshops and fieldtrips;
- free housing in an air-conditioned Columbia dormitory;
- and a 10-week stipend of $4000.
For more information and to view the listing of advisors and projects, download the official 2008 program brochure (pdf).
Applications must be received by March 1, 2008.
Answers to commonly asked questions about the LDEO Summer Intern Programs
In order to be able to access and complete the online application form properly, you need to have
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If you have trouble with the above requirements, please contact the webmaster.
The 2008 application period is now over. Please check back next February for the 2009 program.
Contact webmaster.