FAQ

To be eligible for the Geosciences Program the applicant MUST be a graduating high school senior, no exceptions.

Students will be in double occupancy rooms in a dormitory on the UMES Campus (designated before the start of the program).

Security officers are on campus at all times. After work hours (5 p.m.-8 a.m.) a security officer will be present in the dormitory and will make hourly rounds.

UMES also hosts a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) internship for 10 weeks that will overlap with Geosciences. There will be some scheduled activities for interaction between REU and Geosciences, however the REU interns have different schedules and rules for their summer. UMES also hosts an AgDiscovery camp for High School students. They are on campus, in a different dormitory, for 2 weeks. There will be some scheduled activities for interaction between AgDiscovery and Geosciences.

Students will eat in the dining hall with the following schedule:
Weekdays – Breakfast: 8-9 a.m., Lunch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Dinner: 4-6 p.m.
Weekends – Brunch: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Dinner 4-6 p.m.
The program will provide boxed meals for field trips/field activities.

Yes, please disclose that information in the appropriate section of the application. Program staff will work with the University food vendors to accommodate student needs.

There are several laundry rooms on campus. Washing and drying are free.

The first week of the program consists of orientation activities and a field trip. The following 5 weeks classes (Math and DNSC100) are scheduled from approximately 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., M-Th.  After lunch students will attend class modules (Marine Chemistry, GIS, etc.) followed by dinner and study hours. Students will also make time for their research projects. Fridays schedules vary, consisting of field trips, extra lab time, professional development activities, etc. A Google calendar will be created and shared before the start of the program.

The program will have 6 modules: Marine Geology and Chemistry, Geographic Information Systems (GIS)/Remote Sensing, Atmospheric Science, Marine Biology and Physical Oceanography. They are taught by instructors from UMES, Jackson State University and City College of the City University of New York, and graduate students/staff from the NOAA LMRCSC.

Each module consists of coursework and hands-on activities. Although the modules are not graded, there will be before and after quizzes to gauge what the students have learned in each module and help us enhance the program for the future.

Students will take DNSC 100 and Math – both are UMES courses taught by UMES professors for letter grades (A-F scale). UMES pays the tuition, fees and books for both courses.

DNSC 100 is the Natural Science Department’s ‘freshmen seminar’ where students will learn the basics of navigating college courses, preparing resumes, etc.
The math course is determined by the math placement test. Courses offered range from basic math to calculus to statistics.

Most institutions accept these transfer credits from UMES, but students should inquire with their institution’s Registrar’s Office.

The math placement test used at UMES is called Accuplacer. This test will determine which math course the student will be placed in over the summer. The student will not be able to retake this test; once it has determined which class is appropriate, that is the course the student will take for the summer. We suggest preparing for the test by reviewing your most recent math coursework.

Have your official college transcripts sent to the UMES Registrar’s Office. If your transcripts are accepted you will be placed in the next math course. If they are not accepted you will need to take the math placement test.

If you have one you may bring it, otherwise you will have access to other computer labs on campus.

Students will have access to the UMES Library and its computers. Students will be informed of the summer library schedule when it becomes available 

The rigorous summer schedule we provide does not allow students the time to take more classes than what is offered.

Each student will be put into a 3-4 person group for their project. Students will be assigned a research mentor and instructed on their research topic. Students will be responsible for gathering data, samples, references, etc. and presenting their findings at the symposium on August 9, 2018 in an oral presentation format. Students will be given instructions on how to complete an oral presentation during one of the professional development activities.

Some activities/field trips are scheduled for the weekends, however most weekends are free for students to do as they please. Resident Assistants (RAs) may have extracurricular activities planned whose costs are not covered by the program.

All coursework, related field work and field trips are required, unless given prior permission from Geosciences staff. Extra-curricular activities planned by RAs or Geosciences staff after hours and/or on weekends (hiking, zoo, etc.) are optional.

Students are not permitted to miss program activities. Exceptions will be made for emergencies on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the program director. 

Visitors are allowed on campus and in the dormitory (EXCEPT student bedrooms) until 9 p.m. Students with guests must notify the RA on campus of their visitor’s arrival and departure. 

If you are under 18 you must abide by the sign-out form completed and on file. If you are over 18 you must sign yourself out and leave campus but are required to adhere to the curfew.

Reminder: Curfew is 9 p.m. daily. See the Geosciences Handbook for curfew details.

There is a health clinic on campus (students will have access to; students are required to have their own insurance so have a copy of insurance card(s)). If there is a medical incident/emergency that requires urgent care/hospitalization, either a Geosciences staff member or RA will take the student to the necessary health facility. No student will be left unaccompanied at the campus clinic or off-campus health facility.