Last Update: 08.29.02     

The Office of Graduate Studies’ Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program is an eight-week residential summer experience, held in coordination with the University of California’s Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS). This year, OGS’ Summer Research Programs hosted twenty seven (27) students — including eight UCI UC LEADS Scholars entering their first year in the UC LEADS program, five visiting UC LEADS Scholars (UC Davis, UCLA, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara) in the second year of the UC LEADS program, and fourteen SURF participants from a number of universities across the nation (UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC Los Angeles, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU San Bernardino, San Diego State University, Barry University, York College (CUNY), Universidad Metropolitana - San Juan, Puerto Rico).

The UC LEADS Program is designed to identify educationally or economically disadvantaged undergraduates pursuing courses of study in science, mathematics, or engineering who are likely to succeed in graduate school. Scholars participate in two summer research experiences. The initial experience takes place on the student’s home campus while the second summer research experience occurs at a different UC campus.

Similarly, the UCI SURF Program is designed to increase the level of diversity among prospective doctoral students pursuing careers in university teaching or research by providing research opportunities to undergraduates. Students from educationally disadvantaged or underserved backgrounds from various universities nationwide are selected to participate in this invaluable experience.

For summer 2002, the Summer Research Program began on June 21, 2002 with a weekend retreat at Alpine Meadows, in the San Bernardino mountains, and ended on August 16, 2002 with a Summer Research Symposium. Throughout the eight-weeks, the students’ responsibility was to work as a research assistant for their P.I. for at least 40 hours per week, attend graduate school prepatory workshops and GRE preparation courses, all in an effort to obtain critical research skill and academic training. In addition, the students were required to present their research findings either in an oral or poster presentation as well as submit a research paper at the end of the eight week program.

Overall, undergraduate students find the Summer Research Programs to be quite rewarding and resourceful. For many students, the opportunity to work closely with graduate students and faculty mentors gives them the motivation to pursue their graduate studies and to eventually obtain their Ph.D. The tools that were given to the students to help them prepare for graduate school gives them more confidence in themselves and a clearer concept of what to expect in graduate school.

To learn more about the UC LEADS Program, visit www.rgs.uci.edu/grad/ucleads/index.htm or to learn more about the SURF Program, visit www.rgs.uci.edu/grad/diversity/surf.htm.

Return to Top