1. http://parasol.tamu.edu Undergraduate Research Nancy M. Amato and Chinwe Ekenna Parasol Lab, Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering Texas A&M University

2. 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 Undergraduate Research

3. My Experiences with Ugrad Researchers 100+ ugrads have worked with my group in last 20+ years – 5+ current BS students –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. I have a large & active research group Graduated 17 PhDs 7 in Academia (WUSTL, Iowa State, GMU, UNM, Sewanee, ITAM, UNAM) 8 in research labs (IBM, Google, LLNL, NRL) 2 in gaming startup 2 postdocs –15 Current PhD students –MS advising (15 graduated, 3 current

4. My Experiences with Ugrad Researchers 100+ ugrads have worked with my group in last 20+ 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

5. My Students I have a large & active research group Graduated 17 PhDs (8 from underrepresented groups) 7 in Academia (WUSTL, Iowa State, GMU, UNM, Sewanee, ITAM, UNAM) 8 in research labs (IBM, Google, LLNL, NRL) 2 in gaming startup 2 postdocs –15 Current PhD students (8 from underrepresented groups) –MS advising (15 graduated, 3 current) –BS advising (100+ previous, 10+ current), 5 HS students (3 current)

6. 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!). Sophomore at Stanford. Daniel Latypov, rising senior at the Woodlands High School Now junior at TAMU working in my lab and has paper at ICRA 2014 in Hong Kong We had 7 high schoolers this past summer it’s fun, the ugrads get advising experience

7. Why You Should Consider Research 1)Course Credit – use as technical elective 2)$$ - yes, you can be paid to do research! 3)See if you like it – grad school 4)Resume adornment 5)Get to know professor well (letters…..) 6)Make new friends (grow your network) 7)You can have an office! 8)Travel to exotic places 9)But most importantly….. It is FUN & EXCITING

8. Undergraduate 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

9. Identifying a research topic/project Questions to think about Which subject areas most interest you? Which topics in your classes interest you? Do you like theoretical or more practical things? 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.

10. Finding Research Opportunities Talk to your EH Advisor/Department Coordinators Tell them your interests and ask their help in identifying faculty Contact professors and ask to visit with them and their research groups Do your homework first! Visit their webpages, scan/read their papers, etc. Ask if they have opportunities for undergrads (don’t start off asking about money!) Continue a project that you start in a class Sigma Xi sponsors undergraduate research fair each fall 10

11. Texas A&M Ugrad Research Programs URS – Undergraduate Research Scholars Program Two semester (fall/spring) program that guides you through writing a thesis Some EH Department Tracks require students to participate in this Most students do this their junior (recommended) year, but students can participate in the sophomore or senior year Department or College Summer Research Programs USRG – Engineering-wide summer program (more later!) Texas A&M Student Research Week March of each year Undergrads and graduate students present their work 11

12. Logistics: location, stipends, etc. Summer research At your home institution or other universities 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 At your home institution (Texas A&M..) Might provide a stipend (typically an hourly amount) Often provide academic credit 12

13. Texas A&M Summer Research Programs CSE @ Texas A&MCollege USRG (undergraduate summer research grant) TimeMay 31 – August 5, 2016 (10 weeks) Stipend per studentCSE @ Texas A&M: depends on professor $5,000 stipend, housing or housing allowance, and actual travel expenses up to $400 deadlineFebruary 8, 2016 ApplicationStudents apply online at https://apply2.cse.tamu.ed u/gts/applicant/reu/ Students apply online at http://apply2.tamu.edu/reu/ usrg

14. Texas A&M Summer Research Programs 14 CSE @ Texas A&MCollege USRG (undergraduate summer research grant) TimeMay 31 – August 5, 2016 (10 weeks) Stipend per studentCSE @ Texas A&M: depends on professor $5,000 stipend, housing or housing allowance, and actual travel expenses up to $400 deadlineFebruary 8, 2016 ApplicationStudents apply online at https://apply2.cse.tamu.ed u/gts/applicant/reu/ Students apply online at http://apply2.tamu.edu/reu/ usrg

15. CDC/CRA-W Research Programs (http://cra-w.org/) 15 CREUDREU TimeAcademic year (10-15 hrs/week) plus optional summer (10 weeks) Summer (10 weeks) Stipend per student$1500 per semester, $4000 summer $7000, relocation travel assistance DeadlineMay 18, 2016Feb 15, 2016 LocationHome institutionMentor’s institution ApplicationStudents and mentors submit a proposal to work together the following year (Due early to mid May) Students and mentors apply separately and are matched by the program (Due mid February)

16. CDC/CRA-W Research Programs (http://cra-w.org/) CREUDREU TimeAcademic year (10-15 hrs/week) plus optional summer (10 weeks) Summer (10 weeks) Stipend per student$1500 per semester, $4000 summer $7000, relocation travel assistance DeadlineMay 18, 2016Feb 15, 2016 LocationHome institutionMentor’s institution ApplicationStudents and mentors submit a proposal to work together the following year (Due early to mid May) Students and mentors apply separately and are matched by the program (Due mid February)

17. REU Stipends, and More 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

18. Resources 18 CRA-E Conquer Site: This site provides resources for undergraduate students, interested in research, graduate school, and research careers in computer science. It also provides resources for faculty mentors, looking to engage and advise undergraduates in research and prepare them for graduate school in computing fields.undergraduate studentsfaculty mentors http://conquer.cra.org/ NSF REU Site Listing http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp

19. Undergraduate Summer Research Grant (USRG) Program All engineering majors (including computer science) and related math/sciences (e.g. physics, biology) Applications due Feb 8, 2016 Matthew Pariyothorn USRG@tamu.edu CSCE [at] TAMU REU Summer Program Computer Science, Computer Engineering Theresa Roberts theresa@cse.tamu.edu Transportation Scholars Program Engineering (civil/transportation engineering interest) Dr. Gene Hawkins ugtsp@civil.tamu.edu Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) - Advancing Transportation Leadership and Safety Center (ATLAS) Summer Internship Program All majors are welcomeLaura Higgins l-higgins@tti.tamu.edu Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) - University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) All engineering majorsAmy White awhite@ttimail.tamu.edurailwaysafe ty@utrgv.edu Texas A&M Programs – Summer 2016

20. Title/Research ProgramMajorsContact Information Multifunctional Materials Those interested in materials science and engineering-related research Dr. Ibrahim Karamanikaraman@ta mu.edu AERO-U: Aero- propulsion/fluid physics All engineering majors (including computer science), math, physics and other physical sciences Dr. Jacques Richard richard@tamu.edu Texas Center for Undergraduate Research in Energy and Combustion Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering Dr. Eric Petersen epetersen@tamu.edu 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 hsieh@tamu.ed u Texas A&M Programs – Summer 2016

21. http://parasol.tamu.edu Now for our Panel!

22. Resources 22 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 l http://engineering.tamu.edu/graduate/undergraduate- bridges

23. 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

24. 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 Resource s

25. CDC/CRA-W Research Programs (http://cra-w.org/) 25 CREUDREU TimeAcademic year (10-15 hrs/week) plus optional summer (10 weeks) Summer (10 weeks) Stipend per student$1500 per semester, $4000 summer $7000, relocation travel assistance DeadlineMay 18, 2015Feb 15, 2015 LocationHome institutionMentor’s institution ApplicationStudents and mentors submit a proposal to work together the following year (Due early to mid May) Students and mentors apply separately and are matched by the program (Due mid February)

27. Outline 27 Undergraduate Research Basics Nancy Amato and Jennifer Welch Why would you want to do it? Nuts & Bolts Opportunities & Resources A few thoughts (and Q&A with) from current and former ugrad researchers Brennen Taylor and Jory Denny

28. Texas A&M Summer Research Programs 28 CSE @ Texas A&MCollege USRG (undergraduate summer research grant) TimeMay 31 – August 5, 2016 (10 weeks) Stipend per studentCSE @ Texas A&M: depends on professor $5,000 stipend, housing or housing allowance, and actual travel expenses up to $400 deadlineFebruary 1, 2016 ApplicationStudents apply online at https://apply2.cse.tamu.ed u/gts/applicant/reu/ Students apply online at http://apply2.tamu.edu/reu/ usrg

29. CDC/CRA-W Research Programs (http://cra-w.org/) 29 CREUDREU TimeAcademic year (10-15 hrs/week) plus optional summer (10 weeks) Summer (10 weeks) Stipend per student$1500 per semester, $4000 summer $7000, relocation travel assistance DeadlineMay 18, 2016Feb 15, 2016 LocationHome institutionMentor’s institution ApplicationStudents and mentors submit a proposal to work together the following year (Due early to mid May) Students and mentors apply separately and are matched by the program (Due mid February)

30. My 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