Undergraduate Research
You’ve got your notes and your textbooks, and you’ve got a head full of equations and theories. But once you step out of the classroom, what then? One way to apply those theories is to do research. The College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Program gives you an opportunity to earn up to $1,000 for each semester so you can do just that.
What this means to you
- Freshmen, sophomores and juniors: get paid to do research.
- Seniors in 4995: get paid to do research and get credit that counts toward your graduate degree.
Undergraduate researchers may start anytime during their career, but generally start during their junior or senior year. That’s getting an early start on research, which will not only look good on your resume (you were all thinking it), but will give you first hand experiences with research faculty and graduate students. Besides being future references, they’ll give you valuable work experience as you begin your career – early.
- You will be paid $10/hour up to $1,000 (approx. 10 hours/week)
- This is not a scholarship, so it has no impact on your eligibility for College of Engineering scholarships.
- Exposure to research early on in your academic career
- First hand experience with research faculty and graduate students
Undergraduate Research in the News
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Student research mentor, posters garner awards
May 7, 2013
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Student pioneers revived dual-degree program
April 4, 2013
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Engineering students earn spots among McNair Scholars, publish research articles in annual journal
November 30, 2012
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Undergraduate researchers present posters at annual forum
May 2, 2012
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Undergraduate researcher studies biomaterials
March 23, 2012
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Engineers rank high at achievement forum
May 4, 2011
Requirements
- Maintain a 3.0 overall GPA
- Identify a faculty mentor willing to advise and direct your research
- On the application form, you must have a signature from your faculty mentor along with signatures indicating financial support from the home department or mentor.
- You must participate in the MU Spring Undergraduate Research Forum
- Tuesday, April 23, 2013
- Abstracts Due Friday, March 15, 2013
- You may choose to participate in the MU Summer Undergraduate Research forum
- Monday, July 15, 2013
- Abstracts Due Thursday, July 25, 2013
Application / Renewal Deadlines
- Summer: Friday June 14, 2013
- Fall: Friday September 13, 2013
Forms
Submit applications to:
- Biological: Linda Little
- Chemical: Jennifer Keyzer-Andre
- Civil & Environmental: Mary McCush
- Computer Science: Sandra Moore
- Electrical & Computer: Shirley Holdmeier, Audrey Clark
- Industrial & Manufacturing: Paula McDonald
- Mechanical & Aerospace: Marilyn Estes
Other important notes
- There is no academic credit from this program. To receive academic credit, you must apply for the College Honors Program and register for credit hours in a 4995 course in your department (for example, MAE 4995).
- You must do an average of 10 hours of work per week in a research or laboratory setting and submit biweekly time sheets documenting your work to qualify for the full $1,000 stipend.
- You’ll be encouraged to jointly enroll in graduate school during last 15 hours of your BS degree, so that any additional course work you take as an undergraduate (and not required for your degree) can be used for graduate credit.
- If you participate in the Undergraduate Research Program, you’ll be considered an employee of the university. You must see your department administrator to complete all necessary employment documentation before you begin work for your faculty mentor.
Contact
Questions or comments? Email Engineering@Missouri.edu