Internships
- City of Hope Internships
- Biology or Botany Internships
- Premedical or Predental Internships
- Public Health Internships
- Au Sable Institute for Environmental Studies Internships
- Summer Research in Environmental Studies
- Science Education (K-12) Internships
- Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, and Chemical Sciences Research Internships
- Underrepresented or Minority Students Interested in Graduate Education
- Other Internship Listings
Faculty members often have internships or research positions available to students right here on campus, including problem-based studies and literature review. Students interested in on-campus opportunities should contact the department for further information.
For internships outside the department, the following is not an exhaustive list, but is a starting place for those who are interested in enriching their education.
City of Hope Internships
APU has a solid relationship with City of Hope in Duarte–one of the top cancer research hospitals in the world. Several APU students have worked there as interns. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Scott Kinnes at skinnes@apu.edu.
Biology or Botany Internships
Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation have a variety of volunteer internships available related to biology and botany.
Premedical or Predental Internships
Summer Medical and Dental Education Program
This program is available to college freshmen and sophomores, is free, and includes
housing. Students spend six weeks of the summer at one of several top universities
around the country (including UCLA) brushing up on basic science coursework while
gaining career development, financial-planning skills, and further learning skills.
UCLA PREP Program
This program is for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or medically underserved
communities who have completed one year of college biology or chemistry with a minimum
science GPA of 2.5 for freshmen and sophomores, and 2.8 for juniors and above. This is
a seven-week internship that helps students prepare for the MCAT or DAT, offers career
and personal development guidance, and allows students to observe physicians or dentists
in their everyday practices.
Public Health Internships
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation seeks to prevent the transmission of HIV
to children through advocacy, funding research, and treatment and prevention. For students
who are interested in public health, particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS, there are
internships available in Washington DC for one semester during the academic year.
Au Sable Institute for Environmental Studies Internships
Internship in Environmental Chemistry
Participate in an internship at the Au Sable Institute at its Great Lakes campus in
Mancelona, Michigan during the Summer Session II (mid-July to mid-August) with the
option of also taking a course for credit. This internship is open to students who
have already completed one course at Au Sable.
Internship in Agricultural Missions
The Au Sable Institute together with Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization
(ECHO) offer internships in Ft. Meyers, Florida ranging from several months to a year.
This internship is specific for students who are considering a vocation in agricultural
or ecological missions in the developing world, and is open to students who have already
completed three courses at Au Sable.
Internship in Environmental Education
This programs is appropriate for students wishing to teach environmental education, to
gain teaching experience, or to enter a field related to environmental studies. Four
internships are available per year at various times and preference is given to students
who have taken a course at Au Sable.
Summer Research in Environmental Studies
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
This program is offered through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Global Change Education
Program (GCEP) and is available mainly for sophomores and juniors. Minority students and
women are especially encouraged to apply. This 10-week summer research experience focuses
on the biological impact of global change. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their
major. Travel is included, plus a stipend.
Science Education (K-12) Internships
American Society for Microbiology’s Undergraduate Teaching Fellowship
The Society offers fellowships for students interested in science education which allow
them to design and implement an outreach program in a local school or community setting
connected to APU. Students eligible for this program must already be involved in an educational
outreach program. This program offers students a $2,500 stipend for 12 weeks or 150 hours, $500
in material support, and $1,000 for travel to present the results of the project at the annual
meeting. For more information, please contact Sarah Richart at srichart@apu.edu.
Biotechnology, Biological Sciences, and Chemical Sciences Research Internships
American Heart Association Undergraduate Summer Research Program
This paid research program is available to full-time undergraduate students at universities
in California, Utah, or Nevada who will be juniors or seniors in the fall of 2009. It is a
ten-week summer program that allows students to participate in various areas related to
cardiovascular research. The deadline to apply for the summer of 2009 is December 2, 2008.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
This is a program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in which specific
researchers at universities around the country or abroad allow undergraduates to participate
in their research projects. Students should look at participating researchers and their
projects, and then contact the program for application information. Students receive a stipend
for the summer.
Amgen Scholars Program
This is a competitive summer research program that connects students with researchers on one
of ten college campuses. Students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. program
after graduation, are enrolled at a university for the following fall semester, have completed
three semesters of college, and have a minimum GPA of 3.2 are eligible to apply.
Other Biotechnology Opportunities
There are many biotechnology companies in Southern California that may have other internships
or research opportunities. This link provides a list of companies and their websites where
students can find additional information.
American Chemical Society Internships
This website has many different internships for undergraduates in chemistry, in Southern California and around the country. Each internship has its own criteria and deadline dates.
Underrepresented or Minority Students Interested in Graduate Education
The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)
This summer program is for students who are from backgrounds which are underrepresented in
graduate education and are very interested in pursuing Ph.D. degrees. This program will expose
you to graduate-level research, as well as offer workshops on topics such as preparing research
presentations, graduate financial aid and test-taking skills. This is open to students who have
completed two semesters at a degree-granting college or university, are currently enrolled in a
degree-granting institution, have at least one semester left after the summer program, and have
a minimum GPA of 3.0. The program takes place on many excellent midwestern university campuses,
and offers students a summer stipend of $2,800–6,000. Most participating universities also pay
for travel, housing, and meal expenses.
