Description:
The interns will assist with the Genetics Lab and Lecture courses, and they will assist with a genetics research project. For the Lab course, the interns will stock lab supplies, set up equipment, and assist students in lab and analytical work. The interns will also conduct lab and analytical work outside of the course to push related research projects forward, such as conducting a genetic-based diet analysis of desert tortoises. For the Lecture course, the interns will tutor students and assist with in-class activities, as well as grade assignments. This will deepen the interns' understanding of the field of genetics in understanding and practice, and prepare them for careers in genetics specifically and science broadly. The lecture and lab courses will be during the first session of summer semester. Afterwards, the interns will no longer have responsibility to work on the course, and will focus primarily on research.
The interns will gain genetic and general science skills through this position. Through this position, they will learn to explain genetic principles and to guide peers through the genetics course. Interns will deepen their understanding of genetics principles, ability to carry out lab procedures, ability to troubleshoot issues in the lab, and make meaningful inferences from genetic data. Candidates will learn to write for scientific manuscripts and grants and work with collaborators from other organizations, such as government agencies. Overall, the interns will gain a deeper understanding of how to conduct science, with results that positively affect other people and the environment. Students may receive one internship credit (BIOL 4890) in addition to the other three credits required for the internship.
Then intern will be mentored by Dr. Karl Jarvis but will also interact with other faculty members involved in the research, such as Dr. Julie Grainy, Dr. Jackie Grant, and Dr. Bill Heyborne.
Qualifications:
The candidates must have taken Genetics Lecture and Lab previously, or have comparable education or experience. Ideal candidates will have received a B or above in these courses. Other relevant courses will also be beneficial, such as Ecology, Conservation Biology, Herpetology, and Southern Utah Flora. Candidates should have a strong interest in research, genetics, ecology, and conservation, and they should expect to spend time doing a wide variety of tasks involving tutoring, grading, lab work, analyses, and writing.