Research Opportunities
Undergraduate student design leads to many discoveries: patents, new products, start-up companies, and cutting-edge research.
Student Design Teams
Read about recent student design teams working on amazing projects: Game controllers for the disabled, Search-and-rescue robots, space tethers. And success among design teams has resulted in green companies like EnviroFit, a patent application for an algae to biodiesel conversion process, and new products like a hands free door opener product for individuals with disabilities.
Laboratory Research
In addition to senior design coursework and teams based in student organizations, the college has also developed two undergraduate research courses – ENGR 298 and 498 – that provides credit for directed research with a faculty mentor. These courses open real-world research to younger undergraduates. And, of course, many undergraduates also work in our laboratories as paid employees, learning on the job. Read about a few of these students in one lab.
REU Programs
Founded and supported by the National Science Foundation, the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program provides valuable educational experiences for undergraduate students through research participation. The College of Engineering’s electrical and computer engineering and civil and environmental departments participates in cutting-edge REU programs:
CHILL Radar. This summer program provides an opportunity for undergraduates to conduct research focused on weather sensing technology.
Extreme Ultraviolet Engineering Research Center . A summer REU program for students interested in research related to extreme ultraviolet optics, an area critical to the production of future computer chips.
Water Research. Summer opportunity for students to conduct independent research in water science and engineering under the guidance of faculty in the many related departments.
International Summer Fellowship Program. A new University-funded program that introduces international students to the fundamentals and essentials of research, based in the College of Engineering.