Summer internships & Senior research projects

We very strongly encourage all majors to do a summer internship between their junior and senior year. There are many opportunities discussed below for paid and unpaid internships. Many of these summer projects (but not all) might result in a senior thesis in the framework of the senior seminar.   If you know what you are going to work on for your senior thesis by early in the spring semester of your junior year, you can take the senior seminar in the sequence  spring (junior year) - fall (senior year). This allows you to bracket a summer internship, and  be better prepared for the summer.

How to find research opportunities

Senior thesis websites

Columbia/Barnard based internships

  1. The Lamont Summer Intern Program for undergraduates from U.S. colleges and universities provides a summer research experience in Earth and ocean sciences. The program features a hands-on research project under the supervision of a Columbia-affiliated scientist, as well as special lectures, workshops and fieldtrips. When applying to this program you will compete with students from all over the country. Typically 1-2 BC/CU students get selected. Deadline is March 15.
  2. The Earth Intern Program for Columbia and Barnard undergraduates provides a summer research experience in Environmental sciences. The program features a hands-on research project under the supervision of an LDEO-affiliated scientist, as well as special lectures, workshops and fieldtrips. As BC/CU junior you have a very good chance being admitted. Deadline is March 15.
Details on applying to the program can be found under the links above. The web sites also include the name and and expertise of the research mentors listed. All of the projects  are suitable for senior theses

Other opportunities