College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

CEMS Research Experience for Undergraduates

Promoting Undergraduate Research Experiences

Undergraduate research is an opportunity for CEMS students to experience working in a research environment and to develop a personal working relationship with a faculty member. The CEMS Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) offers both academic year and summer programs designed to support students in their research goals. Any undergraduate CEMS student is eligible to apply. The application method is somewhat different between the academic year and summer REU programs, as described below.

Academic Year CEMS-REU Program

Juniors, seniors, and exceptional sophomore students interested in research are invited to apply to the CEMS academic year REU program. Application is simple. First, you should identify which faculty member you want to work with and talk with them about your research interests and the faculty member's research interested. Having a faculty member willing to work with you is a necessary element in a successful application. Next, you should submit a copy of your one-page resume and a one-page statement describing the research project that you want to do to your department chair. Each department has its own deadlines for applications each semester, so ask your departmental administrative assistant to find the deadlines for your department. Announcements of winning students are typically made a couple weeks after the application deadline. REU appointments are typically for one semester, but they can be renewed.

Process for Undergraduate REU Participants:

Computer Science REU

Electrical and Biomedical Engineering REU

Mathematics & Statistics REU

Civil and Environmental Engineering REU

Examples of Academic Year 2020-2021 REU Participants:

Civil and Environmental Engineering

• Studying Biofilm Mitigation Using Magnetic Nanoparticles
• Floodplain Habitat Modeling
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Compost
• Study of Tower Crane Collapse Failures
• Studying Brewery Wastewater Treatment Using Algae
• Metabolic Modeling of Medium-Chain Fatty Acid Production from Proteins

Electrical and Biomedical Engineering

• An investigation of new models for wireless communication channels
• Task Extrapolation of Muscle Synergy Functions
• Reliability of Quantitative MRI Measurements of Cartilage in Subjects with Healthy Limbs
• Agent-Based Modeling of COVID-19 Propagation in the Population
• Dynamic Simulation of Satellite Swarms

Mechanical Engineering

• Modeling the spread of COVID-19 due to complex air flow
• Analyzing the Effects of Ligament Trauma and Reconstruction on Knee Joint Biomechanics
• Reliability of Quantitative MRI Measurements of Cartilage in Subjects with Healthy Limbs
• Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites

Computer Science

• Algorithms for Differential Privacy in Data Analytics
• Case Studies in Duo for Differential Privacy
• Integrating Evolutionary Algorithms and Differentiable Physics
• Fully Homomorphic Encryption and Applications
• Enhancing Motivation to Quit Smoking

Mathematics and Statistics

• Computational Modeling and Analysis of Thermodynamics
• Building Computer Verifiable Proofs of Theorems in Linear Algebra Using the Lean Theorem Prover
• Clifford Algebras and Higher Dimensional Ford Packings
• Elimination of spurious high-frequency artifacts in numerical modeling of distributed-feedback devices
• Improving convergence of an iteration algorithm for Hartree-Fock equations modeling Helium on graphene.
• Eigenvalue computation of large matrices and differential operators
• Measuring Stigma Associated with Mental Illness from Social Media Data
• Natural Language Processing features of Palliative Care Conversations

Summer CEMS-REU Program

Undergraduate summer research is an opportunity for CEMS students to experience working in a research environment and to develop a personal relationship with a faculty member. The CEMS Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) provides a stipend of $4000 to the student to support full-time research effort over a summer period. This amount is paid $2000 from a faculty grant or contract and $2000 from the College Dean’s Office. Any undergraduate CEMS student is eligible to apply, although preference will be given to students in their sophomore or junior years.

The proposed project must fit within the general research area of the faculty advisor. In this way, undergraduates have the opportunity and resources to pursue independent research as well as work closely with active faculty members who are leading scholars in their fields. Project ideas can be independently generated by the student or selected from research topics that have been described by faculty members. It is expected that faculty mentors will be on campus for the majority of the summer and available to mentor the student.

The program is structured to reflect the application process and the execution of a program that would typically be funded by an external granting agency:

Students are required to submit an application describing a specific research project to be completed under the direction of a faculty mentor;
Applications are evaluated by a panel of UVM College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences faculty, and the top ranked proposals are elected for funding.

In many instances, results may be suitable for presentation at regional or national conferences and/or publication.

How to Apply

CEMS Summer REU Application Dates:

Application Open: Wednesday, January 6th, 2023
Applications Due: Friday, March 3rd, 2023

To Apply: Please read the Program Guidelines (linked below) for detailed instructions and then apply on Handshake at https://uvm.joinhandshake.com/jobs/5511967 for job #5511967.