Full-Time Engagement: This is a full-time commitment. Students are expected to dedicate 40 hours per week to program activities, including research, professional development, and collaborative sessions. This means no overlapping internships, coursework, or other significant time commitments during the program's duration.

Duration: The program runs for 10 consecutive weeks, usually starting in mid-May and concluding in early August. Specific start and end dates will be finalized in consultation with your mentor.

Mentored Research Project: Each student will work closely with at least two faculty mentors on an interdisciplinary research project focused on urban watershed science. This involves both fieldwork (e.g., collecting samples from the Rouge River and Fairlane Lake) and laboratory analysis (e.g., using instruments like AAS, FTIR, GC-MS, NMR).

Skill Development:  Students will receive hands-on training in various scientific techniques, data analysis, and interpretation. A key component of the program is a workshop on data analysis and statistics to equip you with the skills to effectively interpret your results..

Professional Development: You'll actively participate in weekly, two-hour seminars covering essential topics such as scientific communication, ethics, career pathways, interdisciplinary teamwork, and graduate school preparation.

Midterm Presentation: In Week 5, each student will give a 20-minute oral presentation on their project's progress to the cohort and mentors.

Final Poster Presentation: The program culminates in a capstone poster symposium in Week 10, where students will present their final research findings to the broader UM-Dearborn community and external partners.

Scientific Communication: Students are expected to engage in regular discussions with their mentors and peers, and to communicate their research clearly and effectively, both orally and in written form.