Show me the money

Where to apply for undergraduate research funds at MTSU and how to find summer research experiences on

and off campus.

Why Do Research?• Apply coursework to real world problems• Technical experience

– Graduate school– Build resume

• Soft skills• Curiosity• Have FUN!• Get paid

Outline: Two part talk

• On-campus opportunities– Dr. Robertson

• Off Campus opportunities– Dr. Friedli

URSCP Undergraduate Research, Creative and Scholarly Activity

• University-wide: all departments• Academic year or Summer• Two levels: Scholars and Assistants• Funding level: $3150 (Scholar), $700 (Assistant)• Supply funds: Yes• Next Deadline: March 13 (for summer & fall)• http://www.mtsu.edu/~research/urc.html

STEPmt through the Undergraduate Research Council

• Biology, Chemistry, Math, Computer Sci, ETIS, Geoscience, Physics, (Ag, Aero, Nurse)

• Academic year

• Two levels: Awards and Assistantships

• Funding: $1000 (Award) and ($500) Assistants

• Supply funds (up to $300)

• Next deadline: Fall 2006 (just had spring call!)• http://www.mtsu.edu/%7ecollbas/UndergradResearch/

STEPmt Summer research teams

• 5 teams each summer from STEM departments.

• Upper level and lower level MTSU undergraduates

• $4000 and $2000 stipends for 8 weeks

Find a professor with a grant!

• Advantage: no application form!

• Summer stipends typically $2000-$3500

Minority Student Opportunities

• TLSAMP (Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation)

• Ronald E. McNair Program

PART II—Off-campus opportunities

Why Research in Summer? • More time for intense experience• Experience another research environment

(academic, government, or industrial)• Preview of graduate school• Employment• Good pay

Summer Research Options Academic• STEP Summer Research Teams • Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

Government• National Laboratories• NASA Labs

Industrial• STEP Summer Research in Industry (STEP-IN)

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

• Junior level student with GPA > 3.0• Applications due Feb 3 - March 15, 2006• 2 mo - 10 weeks• $3,000-3500 stipend with lodging provided, sometimes

travel• Variety of locations

Jerry Oxsher jro2d@mtsu.eduLaura Whitson lbw2f@mtsu.edu

Cal State San Bernardino

Government Lab ResearchOak Ridge National Lab (ORNL)• 2 -12 months • $400/week stipend• $75/week housing• Feb 1 deadline

NASA Laboratories (Marshall, JPL, Ames, Goddard, Langley, Johnson)• Apply to individual lab• 10 weeks• $5000 stipend + travel• Jan 31 deadline

Alice Quan awq2a@mtsu.edu

Industrial ResearchSTEP-IN Summer Research in Industry• Applications due March 24• Interview with company• Prefer junior GPA > 3.0• 10 weeks, usually flexible• $5,000 stipend

Internships• Academic year co-op (paid/credit)• Internship (credit) BRG• Variety of local industries

Jacob Acton jda2k@mtsu.eduLinda Talley lyt2a@mtsu.edu

Bridgestone Corp Headquarters

More Information

• STEPMT Faculty

Dr. Friedli afriedli@mtsu.edu

Dr. Rowell rowell@mtsu.edu

Dr. Robertson wroberts@mtsu.edu

• Faculty in your department

• MTSU Office of Research research@mtsu.edu