Undergraduate Research
While classroom instruction provides the primary means of knowledge development for students who are on their way to becoming professional engineers, opportunities to apply learned knowledge to challenging research problems exist in the research laboratories of our Whitacre College of Engineering faculty.
Students with an eye towards post-baccalaureate education in the sciences and engineering can become involved as early as the spring of their freshman year. Many departments discuss possible undergraduate research experiences at student society meetings, department undergraduate seminars, and in the first freshman engineering course. Students are encouraged to approach faculty members and even graduate students in topics that are of interest to them.
The faculty are always delighted to discuss their theoretical, experimental, and applied research activities and many do have room in their labs for undergraduates to participate and to become members of a team with graduate and other more senior undergraduate students. Part-time lab employment may also be available especially in the summer periods.
A list of research topics within departments can be found on the Research by Department page. For information on research opportunities in the Whitacre College of Engineering centers and institutes, visit Whitacre College of Engineering Research Centers & Institutes that is linked to the Whitacre College of Engineering Research page.
External opportunities for research experience also exist at other universities mainly through the NSF REU programs. Faculty with collaborations at other universities that run these prestigious programs are more than happy to advice students about these opportunities.
The University Honors College inaugurated the Undergraduate Research Fellow (URF) Program for its members. This program encourages undergraduate participation in significant research experiences in all disciplines by fostering collaboration with faculty and by providing meaningful support through stipends for student researchers. For more information, visit Honors College Undergraduate Research.