For the past 19 years, Western Washington University (WWU) has annually offered the Multicultural Initiative in the Marine Sciences: Undergraduate Participation program (MIMSUP). The goal of this National Science Foundation-funded programis to introduce members of ethnic/racial groups underrepresented in the sciences to the possibility of pursuing a career in marine science. Targeted groups include Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, African Americans, Latino/Hispanics and Pacific Islanders. Through MIMSUP, 8 students a year come from around the country to WWU's Shannon Point Marine Center (in Anacortes). They spend winter and spring quarters studying marine science, completing 31 credits of coursework and doing supervised independent research. Most of the classes are limited to the 8 program participants so there is excellent instruction and mentoring by the faculty. If you have ever considered a career in marine science (or even if you haven't), this is an outstanding opportunity for you to find out if it is something you might do. The program is a national model (we went to the White House a few years ago and received a Presidential Mentoring Award for MIMSUP).

Program funding covers all tuition and fees for Winter and Spring Quarters and housing at the marine center in Anacortes. We also provide funds for travel and participants earn a $3025 stipend by doing outreach teaching in local 2nd and 4th grade classrooms.

We are currently accepting applications for MIMSUP 2010 (which runs from January to June). Most of our previous participants have been juniors or seniors though we have accepted sophomores who had the necessary coursework preparation. We normally look for math background (through pre-calculus), some chemistry (at least inorganic) and some biology.

Application requires

1) an online form (available at http://www.wwu.edu/mimsup)
2) a copy of your transcripts (unofficial copy is OK) and
3) a letter of recommendation from a faculty member who is familiar with your work.

E-mail Brian at Brian.Bingham@wwu.edu or by phone at 360-650-7400 (you will reach the marine center and can ask for me or dial extension 297) for questions.

Brian Bingham, Professor
Department of Environmental Sciences
Western Washington University

P.S. Our current funding covers MIMSUP for the next 4 years. If you are a freshman or feel unready for the program this year, you can certainly consider applying in the future.