http://parasol.tamu.edu
Undergraduate Research
Nancy M. Amato and Chinwe EkennaSenior Director of Engineering Honors Programs
Unocal Professor, Parasol Lab, Dept. CSE
Texas A&M University
Nancy’s Experiences with Ugrad Researchers
100+ ugrads have worked with my group in last 18 years– About half in summer programs, half during academic year– More than half have published – Most have gone on to grad school, some at Texas A&M, others at
Berkeley, Stanford, CMU, UIUC, etc. recipients of grad fellowships such as NSF, DOE HPC, etc
They have been a great addition to the group – it’s more fun, the grad students get advising experience, etc.
Administration of REU Programs– co-Direct a national undergraduate research program (CRA-W/CDC
DREU program) for underrepresented groups (women, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities)
– co-PI on an REU Site Project in my Department
Nancy’sStudents
I have a large & active research group– Graduated 14 PhDs (7 from underrepresented groups)
7 in Academia (WUSTL, Iowa State, GMU, UNM, Sewanee, ITAM, UNAM) 4 in research labs (IBM, Google, LLNL, NRL) 1 in gaming startup 2 postdocs
– 14 Current PhD students (7 from underrepresented groups)– MS advising (15 graduated, 3 current)– BS advising (100+ previous, 10+ current), 5 HS students (3 current)
and recently, high school students Summer 2012, I had two high school
students for the first time – WOW!– Kensen Shi, rising senior at A&M Consolidated
High School Won 2012 Siemens Competition in Math,
Science & Technology, including $100K college scholarship,
authored paper published in IEEE ICRA 2013 (trip to Germany with minor!), and one accepted for ICRA 2014 (Hong Kong!).
Junior at Stanford.– Daniel Latypov, rising senior at the Woodlands
High School Now junior at TAMU working in my lab and
presented a paper at ICRA 2014 in Hong Kong
We had 7 high schoolers this summer– it’s fun, the ugrads get advising experience
Outline
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• Undergraduate Research Basics• What is Undergraduate Research• Undergraduate Research vs. Classes • Why you should consider Research• Finding Research Opportunities• Logistics: Location, stipends, etc• Opportunities & Resources
Undergraduate research is defined as the inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate in collaboration with a faculty mentor that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.
…..The Council for Undergraduate Research
What is Undergrad Research?
Undergrad Research vs Classes
How undergrad research is different from traditional classes Gathering and creating new knowledge Experience active vs. passive learning Exploring new ways of thinking and entering your field's
professional dialogue
How undergrad research is similar to traditional classes Teamwork Discipline/ diligence deadlines
Why You Should Consider Research
Course Credit – use as technical elective $$ - yes, you can be paid to do research! See if you like it – grad school Resume adornment Get to know professor well (letters…..) Make new friends (grow your network) You can have an office! Travel to exotic places But most importantly….. It is FUN & EXCITING
Questions to think about
Which subject areas most interest you?
Which topics in your classes interest you?
Do you have a specific project in mind or do you want toacquire a set of skills?
Remember: You need to be very excited about working on a research project, don't do it just to build your resume or earn academic credit.
Finding Research Opportunities
• Ask your professors, advisor for opportunities
• Visit research groups in your department
• Continue a project that you start in a class
• Department Summer/Research Programs
• Government and Public Sector• National Labs, Office of Naval
Research, Department of Energy, IBM, Microsoft, etc.
• Organizations• NSF, CDC, CRA-W, Universities
• Use the web!• Google: “Undergraduate
Research Engine”
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Logistics: location, stipends, etc.
• Summer research• Stipends often range from $350 to $700 per week• Housing and meals
• Often included, but expect the stipend to be a bit lower• Sometimes not included, but then expect the stipend to be a bit
higher• Transportation subsidy
• Sometimes provided if you need to temporarily relocate
• Academic year research opportunities• Might provide a stipend (typically an hourly amount)• Often provide academic credit
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Summer Research Programs
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NSF REU Sites (located at Universites throughout the US)http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp
College USRG (undergraduate summer research grant)http://engineering.tamu.edu/graduate/undergraduate-bridges
Time Usually 10 weeks in the summer; timing varies by program
June 2 – August 7, 2015 (10 weeks)
Stipend per student Varies, but usually around $7000 for the summer (stipend and housing/meal allowance combined)
$5,000 stipend, housing or housing allowance, and actual travel expenses up to $400
deadline Varies, but usually Feb/Mar for the next summer
February 18, 2015
Application Varies with departments Students apply online at http://apply2.tamu.edu/reu/usrg
Resources
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CRA-E Conquer Site: • This site provides resources for undergraduate students,
interested in research, graduate school, and research careers in computer science.
• http://conquer.cra.org/
NSF REU Site Listing• http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp
College Information about undergraduate research http://engineering.tamu.edu/graduate/undergraduate-
bridges
University programs
Undergraduate Research Scholars Program
http://hur.tamu.edu/Undergraduate-Research/Undergraduate-Research-Scholars
College programs - fall/spring
Engineering Honors Program
http://engineering.tamu.edu/academics/certificates/eh
AggiE-Challenge
http://engineering.tamu.edu/easa/areas/enrichment/aggie-challenge
Resources
Title/Research Program Majors Contact Information
Multifunctional materials systems Aerospace Engineering Dr. Jacques [email protected]
AERO-U: Aero-propulsion/fluid physics
All engineering majors (including computer science), math, physics and other physical sciences
Dr. Jacques [email protected]
Texas Center for Undergraduate Research in Energy and Combustion
Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering
Dr. Eric [email protected]
Interdisciplinary Research Experiences in Mechatronics, Robotics and Automated System Design
Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology
Dr. Sheng-Jen "Tony"Hsieh [email protected]
CSCE [at] TAMU REU Summer Program
Computer Science, Computer Engineering
Theresa [email protected]
Resources
Title/Research Program Majors Contact Information
Smart Energy and Smart Systems: Enabling the Future through Electrical & Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering
Dr. Robert [email protected]. Karen [email protected]
Undergraduate Summer Research Grant (USRG) Program
All engineering majors (including computer science) and related math/sciences (e.g. physics, biology)
Matthew [email protected]
Transportation Scholars Program Civil Engineering Dr. Gene [email protected]
Computing for Disasters Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or closely related field
Theresa [email protected]
Texas Transportation Institute - Advancing Transportation Leadership and Safety Center (ATLAS) Summer Internship Program
All majors are welcome Laura [email protected]
Texas Transportation Institute - Center for Railway Research Program
- Amy [email protected]
Resources
Thanks again to you and my students!
The best thing about this job is my students!
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