As an active environmental research institution, the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory provides visiting undergraduate classes exposure to several types of research and educational experiences. By working with faculty members in advance, classes may be able to schedule cruises aboard UMCES research vessels, tours of the laboratory, and lectures with CBL’s faculty and graduate students. Field-oriented activities exploring oyster reef and plankton communities can be arranged as well. A small classroom is also available to reinforce lessons learned in the field.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, offered through Maryland Sea Grant, annually invites undergraduate students to conduct marine research in biology, chemistry and oceanography on the Chesapeake Bay. As part of a research team, you will work on an individual project in such areas as food web dynamics, benthic studies, nutrient cycling, estuarine circulation, and ecosystem modeling and analysis.
Environmental Education Community College Collaboration
The Environmental Education Community College Collaboration (E2C3) program offers stipend-supported internships at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory for qualifying College of Southern Maryland undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing environmentally-based STEM careers. During this 12-week program, selected students are trained in a premier research setting while conducting individual projects with a graduate student mentor. This program aims to increasing diversity, inclusivity, and equity in STEM professions.
Research and educational cruises
The UMCES Research Vessel Rachel Carson is well-equipped for undergraduate educational cruises. Cruises are individually structured based on course objectives. On a traditional cruise, students trawl for fish, profile physical water quality parameters, dredge for oysters and examine the oyster reef community, and sample for zooplankton. Faculty may also schedule an on-board instructor, laboratory tour, lecture, or arrange for use of the education classroom in conjunction with a research and educational cruise.
Tours and lectures
CBL offers laboratory tours, current research talks, and discussions of opportunities for marine science graduate studies for visiting undergraduate classes. College faculty members interested in scheduling a laboratory tour are encouraged to become acquainted with CBL, its facilities and areas of research prior to contacting the Outreach Coordinator or individual CBL faculty members.