You will earn 6 research credits over 10 weeks, conducting a faculty-supervised, hands-on, directed study research project with results that will culminate in the preparation of a research paper. You will complete a minimum of 240 hours on research in and out of the laboratory.
Faculty mentors will work closely with you to direct your continued growth and knowledge development in the chosen research topic discipline.
| Course ID | Title | Credits | Syllabus |
| SAIN RSLW 392S | International Independent Research in STEM Fields | 6 |
Description: Microplastics are plastics that are less than 5 millimetres in length. There are 2 different groups of microplastics: primary, which are already micro sized, such as the ones in textiles and cosmetics, and secondary, which are degraded from originally much bigger plastic items, such as plastic bags and bottles.
Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a pollutant of significant global concern. The sandy beach is a fragile environment that deserves our special attention regarding MP contamination, as this area is a hotspot that accumulates large quantities of plastic waste.
The aim of this research is to determine the quantities of microplastic on the sandy beaches in the gulf of Naples, together with a local association of activists and volunteers, called Fondali Campania.
Method: Monthly activity to sample microplastic on the beach:
Description: Like other Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas, Punta Campanella MPA (Italy) is undergoing some significant changes in biodiversity. To properly understand the situation and to depict a valid baseline, several monitoring campaigns have occurred to assess biodiversity in Ieranto Bay, a special zone B of the MPA that allows the sustainable interaction between humans and nature.
This activity aims to realize underwater campaign to study the richness of species in the MPA of Punta Campanella
The project consists of a first part of training and orientation, a second part of field and lab activities, and a third part of preparation of a scientific report with data analysis and discussion.
Method: Seasonal campaigns made through observations and surveys, photo safari, sampling collection, data analysis, using different methods according with the target species or taxonomic groups.
Participant will be involved in the preparation of a final report with data analysis and discussion.
Description: Increasing amounts of litter are ending up in the world’s oceans and harming the health of ecosystems, killing animals when they become trapped or swallow the litter. Human health is also at risk, as plastics may break down into smaller pieces that may subsequently end up in our food. These are just a few of the problems emerging from the waste collecting in our seas.
15% of the total amount is found on the beaches of our shorelines. Clean-ups are spreading worldwide, to improve the conditions of our Oceans. Furthermore, they represent the perfect occasion to collect info on the type and quantity of marine litter that strands on the beaches worldwide. These data can provide us with important info on the dynamic of this phenomenon.
Method: Winter storms bring back to our beaches a big amount of litter. Seasonal campaigns realized in different beaches of the Sorrentine Peninsula will allow students to collect quantitative and qualitative data on this topic.
Participant will be involved in the preparation of a final report with data analysis and discussion.
The following information is vetted and provided by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) on the Electronic Database for Global Education (EDGE).