The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the University
of Iceland Undergraduate Research exchange began in 2008. Currently,
up to three students from each university can participate annually.
Caltech will nominate up to three students to participate in the
Caltech-UI Undergraduate Research Exchange. Preference will be given
to those who are not Icelandic students or of Icelandic descent seeking
to spend the summer at home.
Students will complete an application and write a detailed personal
statement stating their research interests. Students should spend
time looking at the research of the UI faculty and if possible, suggest
several projects/labs that are of interest.
Upon selection, the office of the Dean at UI
will match Caltech students with mentors whose research best matches
the students’ interests.
Caltech students will collaborate with the mentor to
define and develop the project. The student must write a project
plan which is due May 15, 2009, or prior to beginning the project,
if earlier. See project plan guidelines at www.murf.caltech.edu/fellows/guidelines.html
Students will conduct their projects for ten
weeks. Projects must be completed by the Friday prior to the start
of Caltech’s
fall term.
At the conclusion of the summer, students will submit a written
technical report to their mentor before leaving for home. Students
will also need to follow additional final report procedures as communicated
by the SFP office.
Students will also give an oral presentation at SURF Seminar Day
in October.
UI will pay an award equivalent to US$6,000 for Caltech students
going to UI for the ten-week period.
UI does not pay travel costs.
UI will provide room for Caltech students.
Caltech students will ensure that they have appropriate travel documents
for entering Iceland.
Students must provide proof of health insurance valid
in Iceland, life insurance, and a policy covering repatriation of
remains.
UI deans and faculty will nominate promising
students who have completed their second or third years to participate
in the Exchange program.
The nominated students will submit an application
that includes a detailed personal statement. The personal statement
should include specific information about the student’s research
interests.
Upon selection, the Student-Faculty Programs
office at Caltech will identify mentors whose research best matches
the students’ stated
interests.
UI students will collaborate with the mentor to define
and develop the project. The student must write a project plan which
is due May 15, 2009, or prior to beginning the project, if earlier.
See project plan guidelines at www.murf.caltech.edu/fellows/guidelines.html
Students will conduct their projects during ten weeks in the summer.
The SURF program formally begins Tuesday, June 16, 2009. To accommodate
different academic schedules between Caltech and UI, students may
begin work at other times, but not prior to May 15, 2009 (with agreement
of the mentor). Students must complete their projects before the
fourth Friday in September.
At the conclusion of the summer, students will give an oral presentation.
In view of differing academic schedules, the SURF office at Caltech
will schedule their presentations before the students return to Iceland.
Caltech will pay students for the ten-week period in US dollars
for each UI student selected to participate in this Exchange program.
The 2009 award is US$6,000.
Students may live in campus dormitories. Students will pay housing
costs of approximately $800 per month (exact charges will be determined
in April 2009).
Students will provide their own meals and pay travel costs.
UI students will be required to show proof of health insurance valid
in the United States for the duration of the program.
UI students are required to obtain a US visa
after acceptance into the program. Caltech’s International
Student Programs (ISP) Office will assist with this process.
Contacts
Dr. Jon Atli Benediktsson
Director of Academic Development and Innovation; Prof. of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
University of Iceland
101 Reykjavik
Iceland
E-mail: benedikt@hi.is
Candace Rypisi
Director, Student-Faculty Programs
Caltech
MC 08-31
Pasadena, CA 91125
E-mail: candacer@caltech.edu
Phone: 626-395-2885
