Internships Available for High School & College Students



Descriptions of the internships are below.
 

THE BFS IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2008 INTERNSHIPS.

PLEASE CHECK BACK NEXT YEAR.

On-line applications are now being accepted for the 2008 internship program.  A completed application packet consists of:

1. Submitted Application form
2. Two references (see link below)
3. College/University transcripts (Unofficial copy acceptable)
 

The deadline for undergraduate applications is now 30 April.  The high school application deadline also is 30 April.

 

If you have questions about the specific internships listed below, contact the BFS.

Here is a link to FAQs, related to the internships.  FAQs
     

Research at the Biological Field Station (BFS) is sponsored by the local community, various governmental and private agencies and the BFS itself.  Most of the work is used in decision making regarding the management and protection of our local resources.  Research teams made up of faculty, staff, selected graduate and undergraduate college students, and high school students focus on specific areas of concern such as water quality monitoring, fisheries management, biological control studies and surveys.

     College-level internships require 10 weeks (five days each week) of effort.  High School internships last 9 weeks - also five days per week.  Students participating in each internship  are responsible for organizing, executing and submitting for publication, a module of work which may require the support of other team members.                                                                           

                                                                          

Internship Descriptions:

TRADITIONAL SUMMER INTERNSHIPS:

- All include 1 semester hour of free undergraduate credit.  More credit hours are potentially available at the intern’s expense and after faculty consultation.

- High school interns receive a summer stipend of $1,500 and Undergraduate interns receive $2,500.

- All include an incentive of $250.00 that may be awarded pending the timely submission of a contribution suitable for publication in the BFS Annual Report. (Thus, High school interns can earn $1,750 and Undergraduate Interns can earn $2,750.)

 

F.H.V. Mecklenburg Conservation Fellowships: Available to high school students.  Named in honor of the founder of the Otsego County Conservation Association.  Applicants must be at least 16 years of age.  Sponsored by BFS.

Village of Cooperstown (Susquehanna River) Internships: Available to high school students.  The purpose of this internship is to monitor water quality in the upper Susquehanna River to assure that the river can safely assimilate effluent from the waste water treatment facility.  Applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Sponsored by the Village of Cooperstown.

Biological Field Station Internships: These internships are awarded to undergraduate college students from SUNY Oneonta with majors in biology and the environmental sciences. They become involved in a wide diversity of research projects. Responsibilities vary accordingly.

Rufus J. Thayer Otsego Lake Research Assistantships: Available to college undergraduates with the background necessary to conduct research on the character and water quality of Otsego Lake. Project responsibilities include assuring for the smooth operation, equipment functioning and cleanup of the analytical laboratories in which they work on a daily basis.

Robert C. MacWatters Internships in the Aquatic Sciences: This is for college undergraduates who have an interest or background in fisheries biology and want to work on some aspect of Otsego Lake fisheries management. Priority is given to students from the Fisheries and Wildlife Technology program at SUNY Cobleskill. Project responsibilities include assuring boats are properly secured to docks and fueled, weekly checks of crankcase oil levels and running gear (research gears aboard, lines and mechanicals).

The Peterson Family Conservation Trust Internship: Internships are awarded to undergraduate college students to support survey work at Greenwoods Conservancy near Burlington, NY. Project responsibilities include trail maintenance responsibilities on all BFS lands, typically working with staff and their peers at pre-assigned intervals.

Additional Internships: On an annual basis a number of internships may be awarded to meet as yet undetermined sponsorship requirements. For example in 2008 at least one internship will be available to a student interested in helping to ascertain the distributions and viability of pearly fresh-water mussel populations in the Upper Susquehanna drainage basin (Susquehanna, Chemung, and Canisto rivers). Contact the BFS Director to ascertain their status.

 

Housing and transportation are not included in these internships.  If you would like to inquire about the possibility of staying on the Oneonta campus, you will need to make arrangements with the summer program.

Last updated:  Thursday May 01, 2008