Leveraging Undergraduate Research Sheila Humphreys April 22 2001

Leveraging Undergraduate Research Sheila Humphreys April 22, 2001

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. n Creating Synergy with Industrial Partners n n Shared vision for student development Defer gratification of immediate hire Enhancement of summer research by industry Creating new industry-based research programs for undergraduates

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. n Research Increases Retention: Why? n n n Expands student’s personal vision Raises aspirations Humanizes competitive environment: IThou Creates new kinds of peer-peer interaction Personalizes faculty-student relationship outside classroom

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. n Research Affects Academic Performance n n n Integrates theory and practice Exposes student to bigger picture Affirms aspirations Engages students in central university mission to create new knowledge Contextualizes the abstract

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. n Leveraging Undergraduate Research n For the student n n Securing faculty sponsorship for graduate school Ensuring continuity of research “back home” Disseminating student results: Paper, web site, publication Providing continuing advice: Staying in touch

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. n Leveraging Undergraduate Research n For the institution: n n n Broadening faculty buy-in through education Tracking results Using student research experience for advocacy in grad admissions Adopting internal policy for admissions Acknowledgement of faculty mentors in promotions, rewards

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. n Sharing Insights n n n NSF’s Internet community for REU sites NSF’s Engineering Directorate PI Meeting, 4/00 Sharing candidates with other programs Best Practices for evaluation, recruitment, ethics Other

NAMEPA/WEPAN 01 UC Berkeley EECS Dept. n Graduate Mentor Evaluation n Biggest Challenges n n n Suggested Training n n n Defining a project – scope & level Getting students up to speed Supervision of undergraduates Prior TA experience Most Rewarding n n n Encouraging academic excellence Figuring level of “hand-holding” Coaching for final presentation