Opportunities - During the BA

Research Opportunities in the Department

Original research is a fundamental part of most careers in the Earth and Environmental Sciences.  For many, an undergraduate research experience stimulates a deeper undertanding and appreciation for the pratice of science that forms a basis for future endeavors.  Students are encouraged to do research with the faculty during the summer (funding is availble) and/or the school year (for credit).  Talk to the faculty to see how you can be involved.  Below are several standard avenues for funded summer research in E&ES:

• We belong to the NASA CT Space Grant College Consortium.  Undergradute research stipends and travel funds are available. Summer internship information, as well as other opportunities, can be found here: CT Space Grant funding opportunities
• Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program, at Wesleyan provides mentoring and funding for students committed to earning the Ph.D. Rolling admissions deadline
  
• McKenna Fellowship - applications due March 1, awardees announced in March
  
• James T. Gutmann Fellowship - applications due March 1, awardees announced in March
• College of the Environment Internships Applications due February
  
• Wesleyan Summer Program for Research in the Sciences 
• Ask the faculty about Wesleyan Student-Faculty Research Internships

Field Camps

Field methods are a fundamental skill to understand the Earth and our environment, and the department encourages E&ES students to attend field camp.  Many field courses run by other universities can qualify for E&ES elective credit.  Qualified courses must meet the following criteria:

1. The course must be an upper level science course.
2. The course must emphasize field methodology. 
3. The course must be a minimum of 4 credits.
4. The course must be at least 3 weeks in duration.

Please check with your advisor or the chair to ensure that the courses you are considering will qualify for E&ES elective credit.  Also, please be aware that Wesleyan will grant up to two credits from summer programs with a minimum grade of B-. Transfer credit must be pre-approved by the Department and will be awarded using the criteria defined in Wesleyan’s Academic Regulations https://catalog.wesleyan.edu/academic-regulations/external-special-study/.

Thanks to a generous endowment by Harold T. Stearns, the department has funds to support students' attendance at field camp. To apply for funds please fill out this form. Wesleyan will directly pay tuition. All other expenses will be reimbursed when receipts are submitted using the standard Wesleyan Travel Expense Form found here. The deadline for this is February 1 of the summer you plan to attend field camp.

Check websites or spreadsheet for application deadlines to a given field camp. 

• Comprehensive Listing
• Helpful Fieldcamp Spreadsheet - search by various attributes (use right click or Save As to download).

Other Research Opportunities and Internships

Earth Science: https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/list_result.jsp?unitid=5050

Ocean Sciences: https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/list_result.jsp?unitid=5053

Polar Programs: https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/list_result.jsp?unitid=72

• AGI Geoscience and Public Policy Internships
• USGS
• Woods Hole  Oceanographic Institution
• Williams-Mystic
• NASA
• The School for Field Studies
• environmentalscience.org

• CT DEEP
• CT Geological Survey
• USGS Activities in CT
• The Face of Connecticut by Michael Bell
• Society of Women Environmental Professionals - CT Chapter (SWEP)
• Environmental Professionals' Organization of Connecticut
• The Interstate Environmental Commission for NY/NJ/CT
• Connecticut Rivers Alliance
• Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
• University of Connecticut - Invasive Species Web Site
• Connecticut Space Grant Consortium