Undergraduate Research

1. Undergraduate Research Nancy M. Amato and ChinweEkenna Parasol Lab, Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering Texas A&M University

2. 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

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

4. 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 atICRA 2014 in Hong Kong • We had 7 high schoolers this past summer • it’s fun, the ugrads get advising experience

5. 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 Why You Should Consider Research

6. 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

7. 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 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.

8. 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 Finding Research Opportunities

9. 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 Texas A&M Ugrad Research Programs

10. 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

11. 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. http://conquer.cra.org/ NSF REU Site Listing http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp Resources

12. Texas A&M Programs – Summer 2016

13. Texas A&M Programs – Summer 2016

14. Now for our Panel!

16. 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 Outline

17. Texas A&M Summer Research Programs

18. CDC/CRA-W Research Programs (http://cra-w.org/)