Summer Research Immersion (SRI)

About SRI

SRI is a research-intensive, structured and mentored experience. It consists of two, four-credit courses (eight credits in total) over 10 weeks in the summer between summer sessions I and III. Participation in the program is a full-time (40 hr/wk) commitment. SRI program for 2024 will run from May 28th - August 2nd.

  • Research Stream Part 1 (summer session one) covers theory, techniques, protocols and data management of the research.
  • Research Stream Part 2 (summer session three) consists of applying that to the research problem, as student teams plan their experiments, conduct their experiments, analyze the results, and present their results.

A dedicated Research Educator designs and oversees the research experience for each Research Stream in collaboration with a team of three to five tenure/tenure-track faculty members. Laboratories have been designed, constructed and outfitted to provide the innovative infrastructure to fully integrate undergraduate students in leading-edge research in their Research Stream. 

For the research conducted, students will work in teams of three to five. We have students work inter-dependently because developing teamwork and collaborative skills are so important in research today. Each student team will work on a research question that is related to the overall objective of the Research Stream for that year.

SRI students learn how to talk about their research, collaborate and identify their next steps in research. Students finish the three-course program with a public poster session displaying their results.

Course Credit

These courses will count toward a Binghamton University degree. The courses also fulfill the Composition and Laboratory general education requirements and count toward the major that corresponds to the rubric code of the courses.

You will be billed for these 8 credits. In addition to tuition, there are comprehensive, laboratory and activity fees as shown in the table below. 

  NYS Resident Non-Resident
Tuition $295/credit x 8 credits = $2,360 $1,90/credit x 8 credits = $8,720
Comprehensive Fee* $52.95/credit x 8 credits = $423.60 $52.95/credit x 8 credits = $423.60
Laboratory Fee $300 $300
Total Cost $3,083.60 $9,443.60

*Subject to Change, rates for 2024 have not yet been determined.

Additional Options

  • A campus resident hall in a double-occupancy room at a discounted rate of 50%. You would have to provide your own sheets and towels. More information can be found through Residential Life.
  • Campus meal plan
  • All motor vehicles parked on campus must display a valid University parking permit. Parking permits may be purchased at Parking Services in Room G-8 of the Couper Administration Building or at the Information Booth on Bartle Drive.
  • For more information about summer session at Binghamton University please visit the Center for Learning and Teaching's Summer Session student info page.

Application Process

SRI is particularly appropriate for STEM majors who have completed their first year and/or STEM majors who have not had an intensive research experience. SRI is for students who have had the equivalent of at least one year of college and introductory college science, math and/or engineering (= STEM) courses in their intended STEM major. AP scores of 4 or 5 may apply to that requirement.

Admission into the SRI program is based on the student's academic record indicating sufficient preparation to be successful, the student's essay indicating background and career aspirations, and letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with the student's aptitude for science and/or engineering.

The SRI application for 2024 will open mid-January. SRI has rolling admission and application review will start March 8th, 2024. The number of slots in the SRI program are limited, so we recommend that you apply early. The original application deadline of April 7th, 2024 has passed but we will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis in case spots remain. Applicants will notified within a few weeks of the original application deadline.

  • For non-Binghamton University students, official college transcript(s) must be submitted, so we can review your math and science courses.
    • Submit these to sri@binghamton.edu.Scanned copies of your official transcript(s) are preferred.
    • Cross out or cover your Social Security number (SSN) prior to scanning your transcript. Your SSN should not appear on your scanned transcript.
    • Remember to scan your files with care, making sure that they are clear and legible. The files you upload are what the Admissions Review Committee will see.
    • Individual files should be under 2 MB. Preferred file format is PDF. Other accepted file formats include: .doc, .docx, .rtf, .jpg and .tif
  • We do not require SAT or ACT test scores.
  • ESL students: If English is a secondary language for you and you did not graduate from a high school in which English was the standard language, we require a minimum TOEFL score of 100 (on the Internet-based test, or 7 on IELTS) for admission. The TOEFL (or IELTS equivalent) helps demonstrate your proficiency in English at the college level. As with all official test scores, the TOEFL or IELTS must be sent electronically through the testing agency. Binghamton University's code is R2535.
  • If you have received a high school degree from an institution in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand or some Canadian provinces, you are not required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.

APPLY HERE

Informational Webinar

This is a great chance to learn more about the program and the benefits of completing it. 

Policies

  • Honesty - Note that any deliberate falsification or omission of application data may result in rescinding of admission, denial of permission to enroll or dismissal from courses. All applicants affirm acceptance of these terms and conditions.
  • Admissions Materials - All admissions materials submitted by applicants become the property of the University.
  • Program switching - Once the summer program is begun by student, the student cannot switch to another research stream.

  • Grading policy - Research Stream courses must be taken as regular grading (not pass/fail). To continue in the SRI program (from Research Stream Part 1 to Research Stream Part 2), students are expected to engage fully in the SRI projects, complete all assignments in the SRI courses satisfactorily, and demonstrate a steadily increasing ability to engage in research-specific projects as they move through the two-semester SRI sequence. Students who fail to meet these standards will not be allowed to continue. Students should monitor their own progress and discuss any concerns with the SRI staff.

SRI Student Quotes

“At the start of the summer, I expected research to be similar to the weekly laboratory biology or chemistry experiments I had done in previous introductory courses. By participating in SRI’s Biomedical Chemistry Stream, I was able to learn what research is actually like and all that it entails, from training to experimental design and set up, to data collection and analysis, to amendment after failed experiments. Research this summer was completely different than the laboratory experiments I had done because it was more engaging and interesting knowing that what I was doing was novel and that this research was not merely for a grade or a lab write-up.”

“I was nervous when I realized I would have to present my research to an audience at a poster session towards to end of the program. I had never given a research poster presentation nor had I created a research poster. SRI allowed me to practice this important technique. With instructor guidance I was able to successfully create an appropriate research poster showcasing the research our team had produced over the summer. Additionally, I gained experience about how to explain my research to a range of people from different fields of work.”

“Every Friday, we attended honors meetings with different research programs from around the University... it was a great opportunity to learn about different techniques of research from speakers and our fellow students. Some of the topics discussed by speakers included elevator talks, data ownership, and networking. The one that specifically caught my attention was the elevator talks. It taught me how to explain my research to people who do not work in the biochemistry field. It is important to limit any jargon and state the importance of the work to everyday life. Most importantly, it should be short and to the point, hence the name elevator talk!”