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Internships

The purpose of Career Path Internship (CPI) Program is to provide opportunities for students to be employed both on and off campus as interns in positions concomitant with their academic and professional interests. This program enhances student success by employing students in their educational/career field of choice, giving them hands-on experience enhancing job readiness skills.

Students majoring in a Department of Biological Sciences Degree Program have two paid CPI options:

Research Assistant (CPI RA)      Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (CPI UGTA)

If you are interested in the Department of Biological Sciences CPI program follow steps 1 - 3:

  1. Apply as a CPI RA or CPI UGTA.
  2. Review the CPI Policies and Guidelines.
  3. Review the Student and Supervisor Handbooks.

Apply


Apply by; A. assembling your application materials (1 - 3), and B. submitting them to the Biology Main Office (LS 227). Application materials will be accepted triannually during the following dates:

  • August 1 - 20
  • December 15 - January 12
  • April 23 - May 11

A. Assemble the application materials:

  1. Unofficial transcript.
  2. Résumé with contact information.
  3. One paragraph explaining your interest in:
    • research and which biology research lab you feel would benefit from that interest, OR
    • teaching biology and which lab course you feel would benefit from that interest.

B. Submit the application materials to the Biology Main Office (LS 227). Make sure the envelope is labeled as follows:

Department of Biological Sciences
ATTN: CPI Application
921 S. 8th Avenue, Stop 8007
Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID 83209

Research Assistant (CPI RA)

Undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Biological Sciences have opportunities to conduct research with a departmental principal investigator (PI) as a CPI Research Assistant (CPI RA).

CPI RAs can work 5 - 10 hours per week (10 - 20 per pay period). Time spent on the following activities will be submitted to and approved by the research PI:

  • time spent conducting research
  • lab meetings
  • training
  • preparation of lab reagents and supplies
  • maintenance of the laboratory

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (CPI UGTA)

During the first semester, a CPI Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (CPI UGTA) shadows/assists another lab instructor by attending the 2-3 hour lab and the instructor meeting each week, and grading assignments. However, during the second semester of CPI funding a UGTA can take over their own lab section if they feel comfortable. Students entering the CPI UGTA program for the first time are encouraged to register for the Biology Teaching Assistant Seminar: BIOL 4499 (1 credit). Courses that a CPI UGTA can TA are: Concepts in Biology: Human Concerns (BIOL 1100L), Biology I (BIOL 1101L),  Introductory Microbiology (BIOL 2221L), Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 3301L or BIOL 3302L).

CPI UGTAs can work 5 - 10 hours per week (10 - 20 per pay period). Time spent on the following activities will be submitted to and approved by your supervisor.

  • time spent in the teaching laboratory with the registered students assisting the instructor, instructing the students, and/or guiding the students
  • lab instructor meetings
  • online training quizzes
  • office hours (when teaching your own section)
  • exam proctoring
  • grading and entering grades
  • preparation of lab reagents and supplies
  • preparation of course content such as introduction and quiz presentations
  • maintenance of the laboratory