Research Experiences for Undergraduates
(REU) Program Description

2008 Program Dates
June 2 - August 9
Application Deadline- February 15

• 10 Week Summer Program
• Interdisciplinary, cutting edge research
• Top scientists, world class instrumentation facilities
• Skills development workshops
• Grants for post-program conference attendance
• Present summer research to academic/industiral community
• Generous stipend; housing, food, and travel paid
• Diverse, national participant base

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) fellowships are awarded to undergraduates from four-year colleges and universities for participation in a ten-week summer program designed to provide unique research experiences, professional development, and increased awareness of materials science and engineering. Each student performs research in a UMN MRSEC research group from the Microstructured Polymers, Crystalline Organic Semiconductors and Magnetic Heterostructures IRGs, the Nanoparticle-Based Materials Proto-IRG, or one of the various Seed groups. Criteria for the awards include the quality of the student's undergraduate record, a letter of recommendation from a faculty member of the student's institution, a demonstrated interest in science and/or engineering, and the endorsement of a MRSEC faculty advisor. Students are matched with MRSEC research groups and faculty mentors prior to their arrival on campus and are provided with a choice of research topics and project goals. Reports and publications relevant to the MRSEC research topic are sent to the student prior to arrival.

In addition to their individual research with MRSEC groups, the REU students join the other undergraduates in the summer program - students from four-year/tribal college teams and Native American Fellows - in numerous common activities aimed at heightening their awareness of science and engineering careers and enhancing skills, including practical ones that are often overlooked, but important for their professional development. This is achieved through weekly workshops and courses offered during the ten-week program, including:

• laboratory safety and handling hazardous waste
• how to keep a laboratory notebook
• how to prepare a research abstract
• how to present a research seminar
• how to construct a research poster
• how to write a technical report
• a writing workshop by Dr. Steve Wilbers, an adjunct faculty and Minneapolis Star-Tribune columnist
• GRE prep
• how to prepare a curriculum vitae
• a presentation to the MRSEC investigators and summer participants and a poster at the annual MRSEC Summer Undergraduate Research Expo- an event that assembles students from IT disciplines to present their summer research to fellow students, faculty, and invited representatives from industry.
• attending the presentations by MRSEC faculty during the second week of the summer program that effectively provides an overview of Center-wide research and purpose.

Note from National Science Foundation (NSF) Regarding Eligible Student Participants: Undergraduate student participants supported with NSF funds in either Supplements or Sites must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.

In addition to completion of the web-based application form below, the following must be submitted by February 15:

1. A current official transcript.
2. A letter of recommendation from a faculty member whom you have had as an instructor or for independent study.
3. Current resumé

MRSEC E&HR Program
University of Minnesota
489 Amundson Hall
421 Washington Ave. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455