2017 REUSSA Program Overview

1. 2017 REUSSA Program Overview Dr Anne H.H. Ngu Department of Computer Science Texas State University

2. REU • According to NSF, "...the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation”. • REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs (e.g. REU supplements) or in research projects specifically designed for the REU site (e.g REUIR, REU-IOT, REU-MPCS, Declarative Programing REUsite). • REUSSA is funded under NSF CISE directorate. REU Program Overview

3. Why REU? • Innovation in IT is key to keep US economy competitive. REU is funded to create a pipeline of scientists to achieve that goal. • Aim to expand the pool of computing researchers • 70% of REU students ended up in graduate programs • Provide experiential learning for students • REU is a key form of investment by NSF to promote the progress of science • Every summer, there are around 600 undergraduate students participating in Computer Science REU Site programs. REU Program Overview

4. Main REUSSA Theme • The Research Experiences in Software Systems and Analysis(SSA) is funded by NSF CISE. • The primary objective of this program is to motivate undergraduate students to pursue research careers and instill in them the spirit of innovation via intensive summer research project in Software Systems and Analysis. • Software affects nearly every aspect of our lives. As software is increasingly pervasive nowadays, software-related problems have also become much more prevalent. This site will study the engineering of the new trends in software systems. REU Program Overview

5. The main REUSSA Projects • Software Platforms for IoT Systems (Dr. Ngu) • Testing and Analyses of Mobile Software Systems (Dr. Yang) • Adaptive Optimization on Extreme-scale Heterogeneous Architectures (Dr. Qasem) • Design and Verification of Cyber-Physical Systems (Dr. Podorozhny) • Large-scale Gene Network Analysis (Dr. Zare) • Human Physiological Data Analysis (Dr. Metsis) REU Program Overview

6. Main Benefits of REU program for students • Students get compensated ($500 per week + housing + $120 meal allowances) to learn about research by doing research. • Students will be given the opportunities to work on research problems with practical applications. • Students will work in groups in a scholarly community (mentors and peers) who can serve as role models and become part of students' virtual support group. • Students will participate in a series of field trips and workshops to bridge their transition to graduate programs. REU Program Overview

7. Main Benefits of REU program for students(Cont.) • Students will be closely mentored on research process and presentation skills that culminated in a public poster presentation at Texas State at the end of each summer. • Students will be involved in writing research papers which might cumulate in refereed technical conference or workshop publications. • By the end of this program, students can update their resume with REU research experiences which are unique look good to potential employers REU Program Overview

8. Resources • Each of you is given a desk and a computer. • All of you will be housed in one big lab (309J) in this building. • Texas State library resources are available for you to check out any books and journals. • The 7th floor of the library is a good place for quiet reading if you need it. • If you need any stationary, contact Shannon or Cheryl at the department office (second floor in this building). • You can use the fridge and the kitchen on the second floor. • There is also a microwave oven and a fridge in the resource room near the 309J lab. REU Program Overview

9. Literature search • Go to databases • Go to Computer Science • Relevant databases are: • ACM Digital Library • IEEE/IET Electronic Library • CiteSeer • Springer eBook Collection- Computer Science • SpringerLink • Wiley Online Library • Others: • Google scholar • DBPL • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpPlrtP3z5U&feature=youtu.be • A whole hour session with a librarian at 4;15 pm on June 1st. REU Program Overview

10. Google Scholar • Should not be the only resourcehttp://scholar.google.com • Simple interface • Use a double quote for exact phrase • Uncheck patent • If you search at campus, you can directly download the article owned by publishers such as ACM, IEEE • It can tell you the number of times the article is cited • From the Related article link, you can follow up other relevant works • From the Cited by link, it shows history of development in that topic REU Program Overview

11. Maintaining References • Decide on a place to store the documents (Google Drive, Dropbox) • Decide on a place to maintain document metadata (ENDNOTE or BibTex) • Extract metadata of reference materials for use in citations (Google Scholar can dump the metadata in BibTex format) • Maintain annotations for reference materials (write down your summary/reflection, so that you do not have to re-read them) and share that with others if needed. REU Program Overview

12. Schedule • Refer to the websites REUSSA: http://reussa.cs.txstate.edu/ • There is a welcome party in a nearby park on June 2. • There are a total of three field trips. • There are two Entrepreneurship forums by Dr. Gary Beall and by Dr. Zong • There are professional development workshops on July 11th and July 18th • There are scheduled student project presentations on June 13th, July 6 and July 20 at 11 am. • Finalize with your mentor for an informal group meeting every week at a mutually agreed time (it is critical to establish a regular communication channel with your mentors and meet with them at least once a week). • Poster presentation on July 31. REU Program Overview

13. Our Expectation • You work in the lab in the Computer Science Department everyday for eight hours. We encourage group work and collaborative learning. If 9-5pm is not a good schedule for you, we require all students be available at least between 11am-3:00pm. • You attend every meeting and field trips. • You attend all social events. • You make progress in your assigned task (keep a log book). At each meeting with your mentor, make a note of what is being discussed, what problems have come up, and what decisions have been jointly made and what is the expected deliverable for the next meeting. REU Program Overview

14. Our Expectation (Cont.) • You give a short presentation of your work at scheduled presentation. This allows you to present your work and evaluate the work of others. Learning how to give constructive feedback is a valuable part of research experiences. • You give a final poster presentation of your work at the end of the program (July 31). • You completed a technical report at the end of you stay. • You participate in all the evaluations of this REU site • Beyond the REU: you let us track your future research activity and career plan after you left this program by joining our Facebook group (REUIR 2011) or response to our email inquiry timely (this is critical) REU Program Overview

15. What counts as success in this program? • Producing a research paper co-authored with your mentor. • Becoming an independent researcher, developing conceptual understanding of what is required to become a CS researcher. • Developing a working prototype. • Acquiring skills in reviewing computer science literature or skills that is relevant to future course work. • Acquiring skills to conduct experimental/user studies for CS projects. • Develop, gather, or analyze data related to computer science projects. • Produce deliverables: status reports, poster or oral presentation. • Knowing the ethical standards of computer science research. • Develop an interest to pursue graduate school • Develop a change of attitudes towards computer science major. • Establish a long term relationship with a supporting network of mentors and other REU students REU Program Overview

16. What does it take to succeed? • Be determined, have endurance • Have patience • Be open minded (willing to take criticism) • Be interested in learning new things and taking on challenges • Be a good learner and a hard worker • Have a good time management skill REU Program Overview

17. General questions regarding Texas State • Ask local students (Amada, Christopher, Gabriel) • Visit the library (1: 00 pm today) • Parking office • Health center • Gym • Dinning services • Book stores REU Program Overview

18. Ice Breaker Game • Tell something about yourself using the letters of your first name: • ANNE • A is for living for 15 years in Australia • N is for the fact that I did not get my PhD from North America • N is for finally visited New Zealand in Jan 2016. • E is for Education, which is a social issue that I care for dearly • Tell in one sentence why you are interested in this REU • Tell a fact about you that can surprise people • Tell one thing that will keep you up at night REU Program Overview