US-JAPAN International REU Program for Advanced Chemistry at UIC
Contents
Program Outline
The Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) will offer an international Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) program, pending an upcoming funding decision by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The funding decision is estimated to be made before we start offering the positions in early January. The two-summer training program (see time line about the details) for US undergraduate students involves advanced chemical research at UIC during Summer 2004 and at three leading Japanese institutes (Tohoku University, the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Kyoto University) during Summer 2005. In Japan, you will perform your research mainly in English. Each summer program operates for 10 weeks from June ? to August ?. Since there are only a few international REU programs in chemistry, the program will provide you with a prestigious opportunity to experience advanced science as well as gain communication skills with foreign scientists in an international research setting.
During Summer 2004 (from early June to mid August), REU students will be engaged in advanced research at the UIC Department of Chemistry with UIC faculty members. We estimate the Summer 2004 program at UIC will run from June 7 through August 13, 2004. Then, during the second summer (again from early June to mid August), selected students (70-80 %) will be sent to one of our partner laboratories in Japan in Summer 2005. The selection to go to Japan will be based on your performance and presentation at UIC. We will try to secure necessary funding if all of the participants are qualified. The funding for the program is requested to National Science Foundation.
The participants will receive a $3,000 stipend, housing in UIC student dormitory and travel support up to $300 for their research at UIC in Summer 2004. The participants in the Summer 2005 program in Japan will receive $3,000 stipend, travel expenses to a Japanese institute (including roundtrip airfare between the US and Japan), housing in Japan, and $300 for expenses for a personal trip in Japan.
Research opportunities are available in analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and interdisciplinary areas. Examples of the research programs are described at the following link (Research). After you finish your summer research at UIC, you are supposed to work in a relevant field in Japan during the second summer.
UIC nationally ranks 48th in Federal research expenditure in 2001. UIC is the 5th largest producer of bachelor degrees in chemistry; we are also in the top 35 of chemistry departments in Ph. D production. UIC is located at the heart of the Chicago metropolitan area, which offers a number of museums, theaters, and sports activities. During the summer, many festivals will be held nearby Lake Michigan, where you can enjoy a swim and a relaxed time.
UIC Chemistry faculty have unique connections with internationally renowned scientists in Japanese top institutes. At present, we have three sites: a site for physical, biological, and analytical chemistry at Kyoto University, a site for organic chemistry at Tohoku University, a site for surface chemistry and chemical engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. For further details on the projects in the institutes, please refer to Research Projects. The cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Sendai, where the universities are located, are also well known as destinations for sightseeing. Particularly, during the summer, you can enjoy various summer festivals held in the cities.
Key Responsibilities
of Students
The participants must be US citizens or permanent residents. Students will be responsible for completing the two-summer program in Summer 2004 and 2005 if they are selected. Participation in only the UIC or Japanese part will not be permitted. The participants need to maintain their undergraduate status until the program in Summer 2005 is complete. If you are selected for the international program in Japan, you are required to finish a 101-level Japanese course before you visit your Japanese host in Summer 2005.
Application
Applications, including transcripts and letters of recommendation from two references, should be sent by March 5, 2004. However, students are encouraged to apply as early as possible since opportunities will be offered to excellent applicants starting from early January. Please go to the following link for further details: Application.