Summer Programs

2010 Summer Institute in Science and Engineering:
Engineering the Elements - Polymers and Electronic Ceramics

June 27-July 1, 2010

View AU Summer Institutes Video >>>

Application Deadline: April 16, 2010

The Program
This exciting residential program is an opportunity to learn more about engineering, to sample life on a college campus and to meet other students with similar interests and academic ability. Students will participate in hands-on lab experiences focusing on polymers and electronic ceramics.

  • Polymers, both natural and synthetic, have unique properties based on their chemistry and physics. Understand how the absorbency of diapers relates to contact lenses and environmental cleanup while quantifying and modeling the water uptake.
  • Experience the extreme variability of polymer viscosity via student-created slime and consider the effects of viscosity from “molasses in January” to personal armor protection.
  • Electronic ceramics, aka “solid state” electronics are fundamental to 21st century life. Get a good vibe from ceramics by building a piezoelectric buzzer and understanding the interrelationship of ceramics to speakers, headphones and sonar (bat, dolphin, & naval).
  • See how mundane processes like screen printing are applied to high end electronics by building your own touch pack. Check out the hidden electronic insides of consumer products: computers, MP3 players, hard drives, Xbox, etc.
  • As a concluding activity we’ll use cryogenic temperatures to illustrate some key concepts from chemistry & engineering, e.g., to break rubber and make ice cream.

Who Can Attend?
This dynamic camp is designed for high school students who have completed their sophomore or junior years, The number of participants is kept small (20-25) to allow for individualized attention and optimal use of equipment.

Schedule
Students must arrive between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. for registration on Sunday and will leave after lunch on Thursday. Students attend classes during the day and enjoy recreational activities in the evening. Living, dining and learning together, students have ample opportunity to get to know each other well and develop lasting friendships. View a sample weekly schedule >>>

Further information, including a detailed program schedule and driving directions to campus, will be sent to all students upon acceptance.

Faculty
Classes are taught by distinguished faculty of Alfred University's Inamori School of Engineering, assisted by advanced AU graduate students. Dr. Steve Pilgrim, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and Dr. Walter Schulze, professor of Ceramic Engineering and Materials Science, are Co-Directors of this institute and will serve as the primary instructors.

Activities
When not in classes, students have lots of fun participating in recreational activities. Planned activities include indoor and outdoor games, movies, visits to a nearby lake for a picnic or campfire, swimming, hikes, bowling, hayrides, social gatherings at the Terra Cotta Coffee House and a farewell party on the last night. Living, dining and learning together, students have ample opportunity to get to know each other and develop lasting friendships.

Supervision
Out-of-class supervision is provided by our team of Resident Directors (RDs) and Resident Advisors (RAs), who are specially trained to serve as camp counselors, mentors and friends.

Tuition, Room and Board
The institute fee is $795* (includes a $100 deposit). This covers room and board from dinner on the first day through lunch on the last day, tuition, supervision, program materials and recreational activities. Students stay in residence halls (2 per room). Students must provide their own pillows and bed/bath linens for the week. Meals are served in the campus dining hall.

The $100 deposit must be submitted with the application. Full payment of the balance ($695) is due May 28, 2010.

Each participant is responsible for transportation, incidentals and extra nights or meals. If, for any reason, a participant must be sent home early, all expenses will be paid by the student/parents.

*There will be a $30 charge for checks returned for insufficient funds.

How to Apply
We will begin accepting applications January 4, 2010. Students who wish to apply must return:

  • a completed application form (Please click on the underlined words to open the pdf file. Then simply print the form, fill it out, and send or fax it back to us with the other required materials.)
  • copy of an up-to-date transcript or most recent report card
  • two letters of recommendation from H.S. teachers (on official school stationery)
  • a one-page essay telling us why you would like to attend this institute (in your own words, with your signature at the bottom)
  • a $100 deposit (non-refundable unless student is not accepted into the program).

Application materials must be submitted by April 16. (Later applications may be considered only if space is available. Please call 607-871-2612 to check availability after the deadline.)

Send to: Office of Summer Programs, Alfred University, Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802 or fax to 607.871.2045. Please send all items in one packet. Incomplete or illegible applications cannot be considered. (If you fax the application form and materials, please call us at 607.871.2612 to make sure we receive them and that all is readable.)

Acceptance
The Institute Admissions Committee will evaluate all applications and determine which students will be accepted. Notification letters will be mailed within two weeks of the application deadline. Students requiring an earlier decision should include a note with the application form indicating the date by which they need to be notified. (If a student is not accepted the $100 deposit will be refunded.)

Accepted students will receive, along with the acceptance letter, additional materials including medical history form, permission form, emergency notification form, etc. These materials must be filled out as soon as possible and must be back in our hands by May 28. Updated immunization information (including dates) is also required at that time. (If you do not have updated immunization information on hand, you may want to acquire this from your physician now to avoid processing delays.)

Cancellation Policy
Refunds, less the $100 non-refundable deposit, will be made for cancellations received by June 4. 50% refunds will be made for cancellations received from June 5-18. We cannot make refunds to students who cancel after June 18 because we must hire staff, purchase materials, arrange for meals and confirm classroom and housing space long before the start of our summer programs. We base all of these arrangements on the number of students accepted into each camp or institute and cannot make changes after contracts are signed and commitments are made.

Financial Aid
Sorry, there are no scholarships or other forms of financial aid available for students in any of our summer programs.

Questions?
For further general information contact the Office of Summer Programs at 607.871.2612. A copy of the institute application is available in pdf form at application. If you are not able to open it, please contact us and we will send or fax one to you.

For specific information concerning class content please contact Institute Directors Dr. Steve Pilgrim at 607.871.2431 (email), or Dr. Walter Schulze at 607.871.2471 (email).

About Alfred
Alfred University is located in the safe, peaceful village of Alfred in Western New York State, where summer days are warm and nights are cool and comfortable. Surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful meadows and valleys, Alfred University is the perfect place to spend an enjoyable week learning more about a favorite subject and meeting other students who share your interests!

The campus, a 6-hour drive from New York City, 2 hours from Buffalo and 1 1/4 hours from Rochester, is easily accessible by car or bus from all directions and is located just five miles south of Interstate 86. The nearest major airport is the Rochester International Airport (about 65 miles north). Transportation to and from the airport can be provided for an additional charge if we receive the request by the date indicated in the acceptance letter. After that date students must make their own arrangements with an airport limo service.

 

To read or print documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded for free.

Program Cancellation: The University may cancel any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for other costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.