College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Undergraduate Research

Barrett Scholarship recipient in the lab

Barrett Scholar Ena Ibrisimovic

Barrett Scholar Ena Ibrisimovic studied the growth of silver nanowires, with Professor Frederick Sansoz. The wires “come with some amazing properties like high conductivity and flexibility,” she said. “My research is focusing on better controlling their growth so that smooth, unbranched wires can be made, as that is the ideal form/shape for their applications in electronics. Specifically, they can be applied to already existing technologies, such as solar panel electrodes, to make them more energy efficient.”

Undergraduate research can make you look at terms and techniques learned in the classroom in a whole new way. You can build a very impressive resume and academic record, which will promote you to the graduate school, professional school, or position of your choice.

Research leads to a deeper understanding of your chosen discipline's current practices.
It teaches creative problem solving and communication skills.
It allows you to apply concepts learned in the classroom to the real world.
Research challenges you to demonstrate the ability to finish a project.
Offers you the chance to work closely with a faculty mentor.
It allows you to build your resume while learning in depth skills you will be able to use in your life post-grad.
It helps you explore potential career paths and fields.
Research provides an introduction to how work is conducted in your discipline.

CEMS Funding Resources

Research Experience for Undergraduates (CEMS-REU)

Award Description: CEMS research experience for undergraduates (REU) program promotes opportunities for students to engage in research projects. This program provides stipends intended to incentivize undergraduate engagement in research, providing up to 100 opportunities for one semester REU's during the academic year. The most important quality you will bring to this position is your eagerness to learn. Our faculty do research in a variety of areas. Reach out to them to learn more about their research and any REU opportunities they might have.

For more information on the CEMS Research Experience for Undergraduates visit the CEMS-REU page.

Richard Barrett Foundation Scholarship Program

Award Description: The Richard Barrett Foundation provides summer research scholarships for four to five top students in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS).The program provides prestigious, competitive awards to outstanding undergraduate engineers who wish to pursue a specific research project under the mentorship of a faculty member. The proposed projects must fit within the general research area of the faculty advisor and must be approved prior to proposal submission.

For more information on the Barrett Scholarship visit the Barrett Scholarship page.

Energy-Climate Public Impact Research Fellowship (EC PIRF)

Award Description: The Energy-Climate Public Impact Research Fellowship helps RSENR or CEMS students defray the personal costs of accepting a research internship (or internship with a significant research portion) focusing on energy and climate mitigation through energy system change. Five awards are available; each award is for a maximum of $4000 in stipend.

For more information on the Energy-Climate Public Impact Research Fellowship visit the UVM Office of Undergraduate Research Funding page.

Finding a Faculty Mentor

UVM is what is called a “high research activity” institution. What this means is that every tenured or tenure-track faculty member is doing their own research outside of what they might be teaching in their classrooms. Unfortunately, the Office of Undergraduate Research cannot maintain a database with all the opportunities available to students. But, the UVM website can act as one. If you search through the departments that you are interested in, you will find that each faculty member has a C.V., research website, or profile that will provide all the information that you could want about the research that is being done by your professors.