Preparing Resource and Environmental Managers with International Understanding and Merits (PREMIUM): Introducing a research experience for undergraduates program

Abstract

The Department of Forestry at Michigan State University was awarded a 3-year grant by the National Science Foundation in 2004 to conduct an undergraduate research project on the natural resource and environmental policy in China. Its goal is to engage undergraduate students in primary research of natural resource and environmental management in a unique international setting, featuring close mentoring, student and faculty teamwork, and multidisciplinary collaboration. This article introduces the project organization and activities and discusses its experience and benefits. It is shown that this type of program can make a great contribution not only to introducing students to the profession of resource and environmental management and developing their science careers, but also to graduate recruitment and scholarship nurturing.