Undergraduate Research (presented by Kim Ozga)
Thursday, October 6, 2005

5:40 PM - Start presentation.

Benefits from doing undergraduate research:
 ·Getting published
 ·It may count as an elective (CMSC 498)
 ·Letters of recommendation
 ·Honors/High honors
 ·Graduate schools look for it

Ways to meet the faculty or find that research project:
 ·Honors website 
 ·Honors pizza (held on 1st Wednesday after drop period)  
 ·Honors mailing list (email Kim to sign up) 
 ·Department website (which even breaks research into specific areas)
 ·MCUR (Maryland Center for Undergraduate Research) website 
 ·URAP (Undergraduate Research Assistance Program) website
 ·REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates)
 ·One of the many research units on campus (HCIL, CVL, CfAR, ISR, ERC)  
 ·Government and Industry (NASA, NIH, Army Lab, NSA, NIST)  
 ·Ask an advisor

REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates)
 ·Opportunity to do research at another institution
 ·May provide stipends along with other benefits
 ·SPIRAL-UMD (UMD’s version)
 ·Talk with Dr. Gasarch (or Kim Ozga)

Things to consider:
 ·You don’t have to be a 4.0 student
 ·You should consider the style of the professor (large vs. small groups; hands-on management vs. independent)
 ·Sometimes you don’t need to be in a 400 level class but some background is helpful
 ·It is as difficult or even more difficult than a 400 level class  
 ·You are, for the most part of the project, on your own  
 ·It may require more than a semester to complete

How do I do it:
 ·Select a research area and find a faculty member to be your advisor  
 ·Meet with an advisor to fill out an independent study form  
 ·Bring form to Undergraduate office to get credit

Other things:
 ·The college of computer science now offers a minor in CS!
 ·Meeting next week:  Internships, Interviewing, Job Search Tips
 ·Slides from Kim's presentation and information on CE research will be posted
 ·See the acm website for links to undergrad research websites on campus

End presentation
-PIZZA-