Student Research

Undergraduate and graduate students actively pursue research through classes, laboratories, student organizations, and research groups.

Undergraduates

Undergraduate student design teams have made discoveries leading to patents, new products, and start-up companies. Examples: Game controllers for the disabled, Search-and-rescue robots, space tethers.

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.

Graduate Students

Between 500 and 600 engineering graduate students work with our engineering faculty on exciting research and make new discoveries that solve problems and improve the quality of life worldwide. Students conduct award-winning research in all areas of engineering. The work in labs and become part of research teams across the college, working on contracts and grants, co-authoring journal articles, and presenting their work at conferences.

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 introduce international students to the fundamentals and essentials of research, based in the College of Engineering.