Independent Research Summer Program (IRSP)
BIOL 2229
Program Announcement 2013
Application Deadline: March 8th 2013
Program Dates: May 20th – August 2nd 2013
The Independent Research Summer Program at Anoka-Ramsey Community College was
started in 2007. In its original form, it offered opportunities for research studies in molecular and
cellular biology, genetics, developmental biology and microbiology. Starting in 2012, IRSP
opportunities expanded to include field studies such as ecology or environmental science, and
both field and laboratory opportunities in other applied life sciences, including horticulture and
biochemistry. IRSP consists of 10 weeks of part time research under the guidance of a faculty
mentor from one of the above bioscience disciplines.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College coordinates and directs the Independent Research
Summer Program in partnership with two colleges at the University of Minnesota: the College of
Biological Sciences and the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences. The
program commences with an initial week of orientation, and training in research literature.
Participation in a 10-week research project follows under the direction of a University of
Minnesota faculty mentor. Several additional activities focused on peer scientific and social
interaction are offered throughout the 10 weeks. This summer research experience culminates
with the presentation of a research thesis paper and possible poster at a research symposium
IRSP is designed to recruit highly qualified students to the University of Minnesota Biosciences
Programs, and to provide invaluable cutting-edge research training to selected candidates.
Eligible students are expected to have a GPA of 3.3 or higher and must be citizens or
permanent residents of the US or its possessions. Students willing to help Anoka-Ramsey
Community College and the University of Minnesota achieve their mission of excellence and
broadening access to science through diversity are encouraged to apply.
Contact information:
 Dr. Debby Filler, Faculty Program Coordinator (Anoka-Ramsey)
Telephone: 763 433-1165
E-mail: debby.filler@anokaramsey.edu
 Dr. Joan McKearnan, Faculty Program Coordinator (Anoka-Ramsey)
Telephone: 763 433-1232
E-mail: joan.mckearnan@anokaramsey.edu
Website: http://webs.anokaramsey.edu/irsp
Anoka-Ramsey Community College and the University of Minnesota are committed to the all persons having equal
access to this program, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex,
age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation.
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I. Program Components and Expectations
The primary component of this program is ten weeks of part-time work in a research laboratory
at the University of Minnesota under the supervision and mentoring of a principal investigator.
Students must attend the entire program to earn credit (May 20 – August 2, 2013). Vacations
and other non-research-related activities should be scheduled around these dates. Full
participation is expected in each of the specific components of the program:
A. Orientation Week with Research Literature Training (May 20 –24) at Anoka-Ramsey.
B. Laboratory, Field, or Other Research Project (May 28 – August 2) at the University of
Minnesota. Research may take place on campus or may occur at other off-campus sites,
e.g., Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in East Bethel, Southwest Research and
Outreach Center in Lamberton, MN
C. Biweekly student peer review meetings at the U of M or off-campus research locations.
Students will share experiences, research pitfalls and research data in peer review meetings
organized and overseen by Anoka-Ramsey faculty.
D. Research Thesis presentation (August 1).
E. Poster presentation is required and presentation at a national conference is encouraged.
Note: In addition to 10 hours of your independent research, many placements will have an
expectation of up to 30 hours of work for the project. This work would be paid by the
employing project.
II. Participant Selection and Project Placement Processes
A. Evidence of academic achievement is important and the majority of the successful applicants
should have an undergraduate Grade Point Average of 3.3 or higher. However, candidates
are also evaluated on the strength of their personal statement and faculty letters of
recommendation (2).
B. Preference will be given to students who have taken BIOL 1106 (1st semester General
Biology), and also one or more of the following courses: BIOL 1107 (2nd semester General
Biology), BIOL 2201 (Microbiology), BIOL 2202 (Genetics), BIOL 2207 (Plant Biology), BIOL
2206 (Animal Biology), or BIOL 2209 (Ecology).
Applicants with prior research experience in Applied Structural Genomics on the AnokaRamsey campus are also given preferential status.
C. Other basic selection criteria include evidence of preparation to carry out research in areas of
interest; evidence of communication and teamwork skills; strong interest in continuing
undergraduate education in the biological sciences at a transfer institution; strong potential
for postgraduate studies in the biological sciences; and breadth of interest as evidenced by
the student’s extracurricular activities, hobbies, or life experiences.
D. Every effort will be made to ensure that students accepted into the IRSP are placed in a
research laboratory/project whose interests match those of the student. Applicants should
bear in mind that the University of Minnesota faculty mentor makes the final placement
decision and may require a face-to-face interview with the student.
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Independent Research Summer Program (IRSP)
Application Checklist
Double-check the checklist below and mail or deliver your completed application materials to
the address shown on this page.
1. My complete application includes:
a. one (1) original stapled set in the order given:
- completed two-page application
- one (1) page typed, biographical sketch/personal statement (see reverse)
- one (1) unofficial current copy of your transcript; (one (1) official copy of your transcript
will be required when admitted into the program).
b. two (2) signed, sealed envelopes bearing faculty recommendation forms (see instructions
on the recommendation form).
2. Mail or deliver your completed application packet to:
Independent Research Summer Program
Anoka Ramsey Community CollegeDepartment of Biology, Room S111
Coon Rapids Campus
11200 Mississippi Blvd NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433-3470
3. Application Timeline
February 19th
Application process starts
March 8th
Application deadline
April 1st (Tentative)
Acceptance Letters and Placement
Recommendations
Anoka-Ramsey Community College and the University of Minnesota are committed to the all persons having equal
access to this program, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex,
age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation.
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Personal Statement/Biographical Sketch
Write a short personal statement (one page or less, typed) addressing the following
points where relevant. Be sure to include your name at the top. Sign the statement at the
bottom of the page before submission.
• Describe your relevant background (academic, personal, service)
• Indicate your career goals. For example, transferring to a 4-year institution, working in
wildlife management or field ecology, working in applied life sciences in agriculture or
forestry, pursuing a biotechnology job, or a health career, etc.
• Describe some scientific questions that interest you the most and the reasons for this
interest.
• Describe the specific areas in which you would like to conduct research, and the factors
that influenced your interests.
• Describe how your inclusion in this program would enhance your transition to University
life, enrich your undergraduate career and/or contribute to diversity, bridging from a
community college to a four year research institution.
• Describe your interest in participating in this program at Anoka-Ramsey in partnership
with the University of Minnesota.
• Indicate special interests and hobbies
• Include extracurricular and volunteer activities
• Indicate future plans.
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Independent Research Summer Program (IRSP)
2013 Application Form
Type or Print Legibly
Name
Birth Date
Last
First
Middle
[ ]Male [ ]Female
[ ]US Citizen [ ] Permanent Resident
Current Address
Street
Current Telephone (
City
State
)
Cell Phone (
Street
City
Zip Code
)
Email Address:
Permanent Address
Permanent Telephone(
State
)
Zip Code
Permanent Contact
OPTIONAL: I identify myself as (please choose all that apply)
[ ] African American
[ ] American Indian/Alaska Native
[ ] Asian
[ ] Caucasian
[ ] Chicano/Latino/Hispanic
[ ] Native Pacific Islander
[ ] Other (specify)
[ ] First generation college student
Academic Information:
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Major
Overall GPA (4.0 scale)
How many courses will you have completed at Anoka-Ramsey or other institutions in the following areas by May 2013?
Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Year completed by May 2012 (choose one):
Biology
Freshman
Other Science
Sophomore
Expected date of graduation from Anoka-Ramsey
(month and year)
Plans for transferring to a four year research institution (Choose one)
[ ] No
[ ] Yes
If Yes, planned Institution and Major
Previous College/University (If Any)
Major/Degree
Overall GPA at Previous College/University (4.0 scale)
5
Other
Previous Research Experience:
Time spent doing research outside laboratory classes
None
Less than 50 hours
More than 50 hours
Describe previous research activities if applicable.
Describe other skills you have that you think might be relevant to your conducting research in your area of interest, e.g.,
familiarity with plant identification if you hope to work in plant ecology or you used a PCR at a lab in which you worked.
Research Interest/s Preference Placement Information:
Rank up to three (3) of the life sciences areas listed below (use 1, 2, 3)
_______ Wildlife/Conservation Biology
_______ Entomology
_______ Fisheries
_______ Ecology
_______ Soil Ecology
_______ Fisheries
_______ Cell Biology
_______ Invasive Species Management
_______ Genetics
_______ Genomics/Proteomics
_______ Microbiology
_______ Plant Physiology
_______ Plant Biology
_______ Horticulture or Agronomy (Agriculture)
_______ Plant Pathology
_______ Other
Are you interested or willing to participate in research outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area?
Yes __________
No ___________
Maybe (explain) _________
Indicate any factor/s, i.e. allergies, disabilities, etc. that should be considered in arranging your placement in a specific
laboratory or field setting.
How did you hear about the Independent Research Summer Program?
[ ] Website
[ ] Professor [ ] Classmate [ ] Promotional Events
[ ] Other
I attest that all the information in this document is accurate as possible. I also waive my right to privacy and
allow the coordinators of IRSP to share this information and other application material with potential principal
investigators with whom I might be placed.
Signature
Date
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