The SMART program is intended for undergraduate students who are interested in preparing for graduate degrees in science, math and engineering. SMART offers students the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of a faculty mentor, and participate in workshops designed to strengthen scientific writing and oral presentation skills.

SMART interns earn three (3) hours of upper-division undergraduate credit in independent study, and receive a stipend, room and board, and travel expenses.

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SMART Academic Areas

Interns may conduct research in 17 academic areas. These areas include:

You may use the links to learn more about the departments, faculty, and research areas.

Program Plan and Calendar

The SMART program focuses on the development of research skills and the faculty mentor/student relationship. During the first week, interns write a research project proposal. In the next eight weeks they carry out the proposed project. In the final week they present their research results in oral and written form. Depending on the academic area, the conduct of research may include laboratory experimentation, outdoor field work, and data analysis. Students work either as part of a research team or independently.

Other activities in the SMART program prepare SMART interns for graduate studies. These include:

• Workshops devoted to technical writing and oral presentation skills
• Workshops on selecting graduate programs and the application process for graduate school
• GRE preparation

2006 Program Calendar

Week 1: June 5- June 9

• Program orientation
• Introduction to faculty mentors and research environment
• Beginning of research project

Weeks 2 to 9: June 12 - August 4

• Continuing work on research projects with faculty mentors
• Workshops on technical writing, oral presentation skills, and the selection/application process for graduate school
• Cultural and outdoor activities

Week 10: August 7 - August 11

• Final preparation for oral and written presentations of projects
• SMART Research Symposium

Faculty Mentors

The CU-Boulder faculty members serve as mentors for the SMART interns' research projects. Mentors, who volunteer their time, are chosen for their excellence in research and scholarly work and their commitment to undergraduate research. The mentors themselves review applications and select SMART interns.

Most interns take part in the on-going research programs of their mentors. SMART students receive information about their mentor and his or her research when they are accepted into the program.

Eligibility Requirements

SMART interns must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Applicants must:

• Be members of racial/ethnic groups severely underrepresented in science, math, and engineering (African-American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native), OR be first generation college students who are economically disadvantaged according to federal income guidelines
  
  
• Have completed their second year of undergraduate study (the equivalent of 60 semester credit hours) by June 2006
  
  
• Not have received a bachelor's degree or plan to receive one before December 2005
  
  
• Have sufficient credits in the academic areas to which they apply

Selection Process

SMART program staff and faculty mentors review applications and make final selection. Selection criteria include:

Academic qualifications of the applicant:

• Evidence of academic ability/improvement at undergraduate institution
• Evidence of sufficient courses in the involved subject areas
• Indication of ability to succeed in a graduate intern program

Letter of interest:

• Level of interest indicated in letter. Students should submit a statement describing the area in which they are interested in conducting research. Faculty from several disciplines may review the applications for consideration. The proposal may be as broad or as specific as the applicant wishes.
  
  
• Written communication skills

Letters of reference:

• Applicant's ability to succeed in the program, academically and socially
• Applicant's potential for graduate level studies and research
• Applicant's maturity, motivation and ability to work independently

Financial Support

The SMART Program pays program costs. Interns receive:

• Tuition for 3 hours of upper-division undergraduate credit in independent study at the University of Colorado at Boulder
• Room and board for the 10-week program
• Transportation to and from Boulder, Colorado
• A stipend of $2,800

Living arrangements: Interns live together in University of Colorado housing arranged by program staff. Meals are provided Monday through Saturday.

Application Deadline and Submission Information

Application Deadline: Application materials must be postmarked no later than February 15, 2006.

Applicants should send all information to:

SMART Program
University of Colorado
UCB 347
Boulder, CO 80309-0347

For more information, please contact the SMART office at the University of Colorado at Boulder:

303-492-4607
1-888-709-1997 (toll free)
303-735-2944 (fax)
or smart@spot.Colorado.edu