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BIO 498 - Internship in Biological Sciences

SEA TURTLE RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS

The Sea Turtle Research Internships offer students the opportunity to work hands on with endangered and threatened sea turtles, while earning credit at UNCW.

Description

Gain practical field experience and training through a specialize program of work and study at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center at Topsail Beach, North Carolina.  Students are supervised and evaluated jointly by a biology faculty member (Amanda Southwood) and the Director of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (Jean Beasley).  Only 3 hours may count towards the Marine Biology or Biology degree requirements.  Additional hours may count towards the 124 credits required for graduation.  In general, students work about 6 hours each week during the fall or spring semester to earn the 3 hours of internship credit, or about 18 hours each week during both summer sessions to earn 6 hours of internship credit.  Housing is provided for summer interns.  A final report of internship activities and an exit interview are required at the end of the internship period.

Requirements

• Open to all majors in Marine Biology or Biology
• Applicants must be rising Juniors or Seniors (59 credit hours or more)
• GPA of 2.00 or higher
• Permission of instructor required
• Must be able to provide own transportation to Topsail Beach
• Textbook required
• Proof of health insurance required

Objectives

• Acquire direct and experiential knowledge of sea turtle biology
• Develop communication and media communication skills

Duties

• Assist in preparing food for sea turtle patients
• Assist in care of sea turtle patients
• Maintain daily logs of activities performed
• Assist the Director with other programs and responsibilities as needed
• Assist in keeping the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, including tanks and surrounding areas, neat and clean

Additional Opportunities

• Potential to work with personnel at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences
• Potential to work with personnel at the College of Veterinary Medicine at N.C. State University
• Potential for additional research or teaching experience

Intern Selection

• Intern selection is extremely competitive and will be based on the candidate’s academic performance, past field and educational experience, leadership and communication skills, and enthusiasm

APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FROM DR. SOUTHWOOD
DOBO HALL 114, 910-962-4064