I got into Western Washington University!!

[Kwbyron]

I am now officially a Marine Biology Student! HURRAY!! So, I want to ask the other biologist on this board, a few questions. One of the main reasons I chose Western over University of Washington was their Marine option and the strong encouragement they gave me to do undergraduate research, in fact, my adviser suggested writing a grant for either independent research, or as a side study on a graduate's work. I want to carry out the project next summer, so I am starting to do preliminary work now. What I was thinking was to do a small study on how tidal changes and currents affect the diversity of a population of anemones. I was going to sample two populations, one in Alki cove, which has no currents and little tidal change, and what I think is a rather large colony, then find a comparable size colony in an area with more currents. Then maybe take samples of an appropriate % of the population to run a DNA finger print, and try to develop a family tree for each population, then compare the genetic Diversity.
Would this be a good project? Part of me thinks, well no duh a population in higher currents and tidal changes will have more genetic diversity so it wouldn't really test anything, like seeing if a plant needs light to grow. My other hesitation is that it might be too much to attempt as a undergrad student, and if it is ok to cut a tentacle off an anemone to study it's genetic diversity...it seems a little mean, but it's for science and I'm sure they loose them from time to time anyways.

Has anyone else written their own undergraduate grants? What did you study? I am thinking about going into behavioral biology when I get into my masters and doctorate level, but right now, this seems like a fun and interesting study to do at my level.

 

[www.scubamazing.com]

you are going to be disappointed that I'm not giving you any good advice as to your questions. I really just wanted to say congratulations! I know how exciting it is to get into the school you want to go to.

I just began studying the GMAT and I have big dreams too, so I couldn't help but offer a congrats! I hope others-- who are more specialised in Marine Biology than I am (not hard to do of course)-- will give you some great advice.

Good Luck!