College of Integrative Sciences Fellows

The College of Integrative Sciences (CIS) supports student research that emphasizes interdisciplinary and integrative approaches.  Often, these research projects are driven by collaborative studies in emerging research areas that involve multiple scientific disciplines. The core goal of the CIS is to equip students with the creative and quantitative interdisciplinary skills to develop solutions for current global challenges.

A key component of the CIS experience is an emphasis on research, whereby students pursue novel modes of inquiry that lead to expertise in their fields of study beyond the classroom.  Accordingly, all CIS students are expected to spend at least one summer performing research, preferably the summer after their sophomore year, immediately following acceptance to the college. 

To support CIS student research, the CIS provides summer fellowships that emphasize interdisciplinary and integrative approaches.  Ideally, CIS fellows are jointly mentored by two faculty in complementing fields – for example, biology and physics.  Dual mentoring is not a requirement, but research must be interdisciplinary.  CIS fellowships encourage faculty and students to explore ways in which their research can benefit from combinations of fields. 

Interested students should have participated in at least one "Research Frontiers" Course (CIS 221 and 222), be a declared NSM major, and must apply to the college. The CIS admissions committee selects students after an interview. Students must have a demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary research.