1. Undergraduate Research
John Keyser
Professor
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Texas A&M University

2. About Me – How I Got Here
Early days – general math/science/computer interests
My undergrad days
Abilene Christian University
Started as an Applied Math major
Opportunity to do research -> became an Engineering Physics major
Took Comp. Sci. classes for fun, eventually found I could get another degree

3. My Undergraduate Research Experience
Physics research
Started as a Freshman
Worked for my own University, at Fermilab (Batavia, IL)
Not at all glamorous! But, great experience
Worked 3 summers in REU program for Los Alamos National Lab
2 years in Los Alamos, NM (mainly software work)
1 year in Brookhaven, NY (mainly physical work)
During this time, I also was taking Comp. Sci. classes for fun

4. Direction After Undergraduate Days
What direction to head? Math? Physics? Computer Science?
My REU experiences were the biggest factor in helping me know what I wanted to do next
Grad School
My REU experience a factor in applications
Chose University of North Carolina,
Department of Computer Science
After graduation – what direction?

5. Texas A&M Came to A&M in Fall of 2000
Spent 6 years ( ) as Associate Head in department
During this time, I’ve advised several students
11 Ph.D. graduates (2-3 current Ph.D. students)
11 M.S. graduates (none currently)
5 Undergraduate Research Fellows (2 currently) and other undergraduate researchers

6. Outline – 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

7. Poll Time Go to slido.com Enter event code: #Y865
Have you had any research experience yet?
What would interest you most about research as an undergrad?
What’s the hardest thing about research?

8. What is Undergraduate Research?
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

9. Undergraduate Research vs. Classes
Differences
Gathering and creating NEW knowledge
Experience active vs. passive learning
Exploring new ways of thinking and entering your field’s professional dialogue
Similarities
Teamwork
Discipline/diligence
Deadlines

10. Why You Should Consider Research
Course credit – use as technical elective
See if you like it – grad school
Resume adornment
Get to know professor well (letters…)
Make new friends (grow your network)
$$ - yes, you can get paid to do research!
You might have an office,
You might get to travel to exotic places
But most importantly… It is FUN & EXCITING

11. 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 to acquire 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

12. Finding Research Opportunities
Ask your professors, advisor for opportunities
Look up the other faculty in your department, and what they do
Visit research groups in your department
Continue a project you start in a class
Department/Summer Research Programs (go by various names)
REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates),
SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship),
Undergraduate Research Internships

13. Sources for Research Opportunities
Government and Public Sector
National Labs
DoD (e.g. Office of Naval Research), DoE, NSA, etc. agencies often sponsor programs
Industry Research Labs
IBM, Microsoft, etc.
University REU programs
Many of these, from small-scale to large
Organizations
Sponsors: NSF, CDC, CRA-W, etc.

14. Logistics: location, stipend, etc.
Summer Research
Stipends often range from $350-$700 per week
Housing and meals
Sometimes included, but expect the stipend to be a bit lower
Sometimes not included, but expect the stipend to be a bit higher
Transportation subsidy
Sometimes provided if you need to temporarily relocate
Academic year research opportunities
Often can provide academic credit
May provide a stipend (typically an hourly rate)

15. Some Summer Research Programs
NSF REU Sites
(at Universities across the US)
TAMU USRG
(Undergraduate Summer Research Grant)
Time
Usually 10 weeks in the summer. Timing varies by program
Overlapping Summer School schedule (May – August, 10 weeks)
Stipend per Student
Varies, but usually around $7000 for the summer (stipend+housing/meals)
$5000 stipend, housing or housing allowance, actual travel expenses up to $400
Deadline
Varies, but usually Feb/Mar for next summer
Last year, was February 1
Application Process
Varies with department
Will have a university site – watch for announcements!

16. Resources (there are many more)
NSF REU Site Listing
College Information About Undergraduate Research
bridges.html
DoD STEM Internships (some are research, some are not):
Computing Research Association – Education
DOE Scholars:

17. Resources at TAMU University Programs College Programs – Fall Spring
LAUNCH - Undergraduate Research Scholars Program
College Programs – Fall Spring
Engineering Honors Program
AggiE-Challenge
Undergraduate Research in Engineering

18. Title/Research Program
Resources
Title/Research Program
Majors
Contact Information
Multifunctional materials systems
Aerospace Engineering
Dr. Jacques Richard
AERO-U: Aero-propulsion/fluid physics
All engineering majors (including computer science), math, physics and other physical sciences
Texas Center for Undergraduate Research in Energy and Combustion
Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering
Dr. Eric Petersen
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
CSCE [at] TAMU REU Summer Program
Computer Science, Computer Engineering
Theresa Roberts

19. Title/Research Program
Resources
Title/Research Program
Majors
Contact Information
Undergraduate Summer Research Grant (USRG) Program
All engineering majors and related math/sciences
Juan Rodriguez
Transportation Scholars Program
Civil Engineering
Dr. Gene Hawkins
Texas Transportation Institute - Advancing Transportation Leadership and Safety Center (ATLAS) Summer Internship Program
All majors are welcome
Laura Higgins  
Texas Transportation Institute - Center for Railway Research Program
All majors
Amy White

20. Take Action!
Investigate opportunities in the resources listed here, and on online searches
Look through a list of faculty in your department
Find those working on topics that seem interesting for research
Look into what they do, specifically: projects, papers, etc.
Talk to them!

21. Undergraduate Research Panel
Now let’s hear from your peers!
Questions:
Go to slido.com
Event code: #Y865
Enter questions/upvote questions