UCI's unique Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program offers undergraduate diversity students with outstanding academic potential an opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects. The program provides students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. degree and enter academic careers with the tools needed to facilitate the application, admission, and enrollment process for graduate school. The program is open to all academic fields (e.g. arts, humanities, social sciences, social ecology, biological sciences, engineering, computer science, physical science, etc.).
Undergraduate Mentorship Experience
Scholars are matched with UC faculty members whose special expertise and interests matches those of the student’s research interest and career goals. Faculty members serve as advisors and mentors and assist the scholars in developing and completing a research action plan.
Graduate School Preparation Enrichment Opportunities
Scholars participate in academic enrichment programs to provide them with special training in areas critical to academic success. These programs include:
fellowship workshops
preparation courses for the GRE
scientific writing seminars
preparing academic presentations workshops
academic career planning seminars
one-on-one meetings with program coordinator for specific research skills assessments
Summer Research Program Symposium
Scholars participate in the Summer Research Program Symposium. The event features:
opportunities to meet graduate students, faculty mentors, UC alumni leaders and scholars from other diversity programs
scientific and academic presentations by fellow scholars
opportunities for scholars to present and receive feedback on their individual work
The UCI SURF program is designed as an outreach and recruitment effort to acquaint students from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in American higher education (including students who have overcome socioeconomic or educational disadvantages) with the career opportunities and academic challenges associated with advanced study and scholarly research.
The goal of the SURF program is to increase the level of diversity among traditionally underserved undergraduate students who apply, are admitted, and enroll in advanced level degree programs, leading to research or academic career paths by providing research opportunities.
Scholars will be required to reside in assigned University housing provided by UCI.
Scholars will be required to attend and participate in all scheduled activities.
Scholars must commit to working full-time in their assigned labs (40 hours per week) for the full 8 weeks of the program.
Scholars will have individual academic and research obligations with their faculty mentor/advisor.
Scholars should expect to meet at least once a week with their research mentor/advisor, or more often, depending on the project and the mentor's arrangement.
Scholars will be expected to meet with the program coordinator during regularly scheduled meetings to discuss the progress of the research project.
Scholars will be required to submit a research outline, abstract and final paper in accordance with the program timeline.
Scholars will be required to present their research at the University of California, Irvine Summer Research Program Symposium at the end of the program in August.
The 2005 Summer Research Program Timeline is a schedule of activities organized by the UCI Graduate Division for participants in the 2005 Summer Research Program.
Throughout the Summer Research Program, SURF participants will have the opportunity to share information and experiences with participants of other diversity program including UC LEADS and the Sally Casanova CSU Pre-Doc Program.
For a list of other events relating to academic and industry conferences, meetings and symposiums, please visit Events.
Allen Sabio, Analyst, Graduate Preparation and Student Programs
University of California, Irvine
120 Aldrich Hall
Graduate Division
Irvine, CA 92697-3180
ZOT: 3180
Tel.: (949) 824-0246
Fax: (949) 824-9096
E-Mail: allen.sabio@uci.edu
What information are you looking for in a reference letter from a faculty member?
Ideally, a supportive reference will describe the circumstances under which the faculty member has come to know about your work; it will go into detail regarding your unique academic strengths and your research abilities. Please use the Letter of Recommendation form.
And/or
A single letter of reference from a faculty member who will serve as your mentor, describing the above information and the mentor's understanding of the project that you will complete during the summer term. Please use the Letter of Recommendation form.
