Biosphere Atmosphere
Research & Training

How should an interested student proceed?

It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that prospective trainees contact the BART office for further information: bartumbs@umich.edu, Phone: 888-647-0536. Interested students should also check the BART website (www.lsa.umich.edu/umbs/bart) for information about research opportunities and examples of application materials.

What will a student accepted to the BART program do?

Student participants will receive a two-year fellowship that includes an annual stipend of $30,000, tuiton and fees during the BART fellowship, funds for travel to two national conferences, summer living expenses, and research supplies. During each summer of support, BART students will reside at the University of Michigan Biological Station, where they will conduct their interdisciplinary research and participate in a series of interdisciplinary workshops, retreats and seminars. Following the two fellowship summers, students can continue their research at UMBS with support that they and their mentors obtain from other sources. It is expected that their UMBS research will comprise an important portion of their dissertation. During the academic year, students will continue developing their interdisciplinary approach by participating from their home institutions in problem-solving exercises over the internet. Steve Bertman and Dave Karowe will co-coordinate the BART program throughout the entire year.

What kinds of research are appropriate?

A broad range of doctoral projects can be appropriate for the BART program. However, each project must have a clearly identified focus on one or more types of biosphere-atmosphere interaction. Students are encouraged to propose novel approaches to the study of biosphere-atmosphere interactions, including studies of global change phenomena. UMBS is equipped to support investigations that address UV-B, ozone, CO₂ (there is an AmeriFlux tower), elevated CO₂, various aspects of atmospheric chemistry (there is an atmospheric chemistry tower near the AmeriFlux tower), and atmospheric deposition of heavy metals, N compounds, and acid precipitation. UMBS is also equipped to support investigations of terrestrial, aquatic, and soil organisms and ecosystems, including microorganisms. For further information and to discuss what constitutes an appropriate BART project, please contact Dave Karowe (david.karowe@wmich.edu) or Steve Bertman (steven.bertman@wmich.edu).

Do I need "official" transcripts and GRE scores?

Offical transcripts of completed work should be obtained from your principal college or university. A copy of your transcripts may accompany your application with assurance that offical transcripts have been ordered. Copies of transcripts from individual classes or courses are acceptable. Official transcripts must be requested, by you, from your home college or university. Generally there is a small fee required to order official transcripts.

A copy of your official report will suffice. If you don't have a report, GRE scores may be ordered by calling 1-888-473-7267 from U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico or 1-609-771-7290 from all other locations. A TTY device for hearing impaired students is available by calling 1-888-473-8333. To order additional score reports by telephone takes approximately 5 working days after your call. There is a $6 service fee per call and a $13 fee for each score recipient.

Do I, as a student, have to write the prospectus by myself?

Generally, the answer is no. A prospectus should be the end product of in-depth discussions between faculty mentors and students. If you have identified a faculty member to work with and the research is in progress, you should be able to state the scientific objectives of the project, detail your specific interests, and emphasis the link between biosphere and atmosphere sciences.

If you have an idea or interest that relates to the interdisciplinary aspect of a topic, work with a faculty member or professor to develop a research plan. Identify your mentor or faculty member and explain their role in your decision. A proposed timeline for your research could also be included.

How do I find a second mentor if I need one?

Since letters of support are required from both an atmospheric and a biospheric scientist, your choice of mentors or faculty members is important. If you need assistance in identifying a faculty member familiar with, or interested in, your particular area, please contact the BART office at 888-647-0536 for assistance. Any student may work with any faculty member.

What do I need to include in my personal statement?

A one-page statement of interest should include relevant personal goals and experience that demonstrate your interest, motivation and desire to work in the scientific world. Explain how the BART experience will impact your academic and career goals. This statement is intended to assure that the students selected for BART are committed to investigating scientific questions that bridge the gap between historically separate disciplines.

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