Texas A

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Texas AM University

• Mark J. Zoran
• Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
• College of Science
• REU Career Day, July 11, 2008

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Science Today, Technology Tomorrow

• As the scientific core of Texas AM University,
  the College of Science seeks to
• educate new generations of scientists
• 2) conduct cutting-edge research to produce the
  technologies of tomorrow

Top-Notch Faculty
Research of Distinction
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Top-Notch Faculty

• Half of TAMUs distinguished professors in
  Science
• 8 University Faculty Fellows
• 3 National Academy of Sciences members
• Highly recognized young faculty (CAREER, NYI,
  Sloan, Searle, PECASE).

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Research of Distinction

• Six researchers in Biology funded by NIH Program
  Project Grant (5.9M) in molecular mechanisms of
  biological clocks.
• Chemistry ranked 15th overall by the NRC and 6th
  inorganic chemistry by U.S. News World Report.
• Two-thirds of researchers in Mathematics have NSF
  grants.
• Physics recently awarded two endowed chairs (1M
  each) and constructing new Physics building
  complex.
• Statistics ranked 10th of 65 in mathematical
  sciences by U.S. News World Report.
• The Cyclotron Institute is one of four
  DOE-supported, university-based research
  facilities in the US.

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Interdisciplinary Research and Grad Programs

• 10 programs that cross colleges, incorporating
  faculty from multiple fields and expertise

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TAMU Funding for Graduate Education

• Overall funding almost 17 million per year
• Plus new Tuition Payment Plan 10 million per
  year
• Programs
• Fellowships
• Awards program
• Informational programs
• Research and Presentation Grants
• Ombudsperson
• Academic program review
• Many more . . .

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Graduate Support in College of Science

• Most graduate students are employed on Graduate
  Research Assistantships (RAs) or Teaching
  Assistantships (TAs)
• - salaries ranging from 17,000 to 25,000/year
• - tuition paid for RAs and TAs (8,000/year)
• -health care benefits
• - travels funds to attend meetings
  (500-1000/year)

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College of Science Data
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Finding the Right Program

• Seek as much information as possible

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Strengths of a Research/Graduate Program(TAMU
Biology)

• Research Strengths
• Behavioral Biology Cell and Developmental
  Biology
• Chronobiology Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Genetics and Genomics Microbiology
• Molecular Biology Neuroscience
  (Interdisciplinary)
• Core facilities for Imaging, Genomics,
  Microarrays and Plant biotechnology.

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Graduate Recruitment Advice

• Seek undergraduate research experience
• Understand your undergraduate research
• Get reference letters from your research
  supervisors

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Graduate Recruitment Advice

• Do your homework (get to know schools/departments)
  
• Contact that department directly
• Submit application early (end of fall semester)

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Graduate Recruitment Advice

• Submit professional application
• Create a well written and thoughtful
• Statement of Purpose (Interest)
• What is most important factor is choosing a
  program?

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Be Curious. Be Enthusiastic.

• Work Hard
• Have Fun
• Make Yourself and Your Program Famous

Good Luck!