College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Undergraduate Research

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.

Scholarship and Internship Opportunities

Research Experience for Undergraduates (CEMS-REU)

Award Description: CEMS research experience for undergraduates (REU) program promotes opportunities for students to engage in research projects in collaboration with UVM faculty members. This program provides stipends intended to incentivize undergraduate engagement in research, providing both academic year and summer REU positions. 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 opportunities to work with them through the REU program.

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

Richard Barrett Foundation Scholars Program

Award Description: The Richard Barrett Foundation provides funding for summer research internships for engineering students in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) in a topic broadly related to the environment. 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.

NASA Internships funded by Vermont Space Grant

Award Description: NASA Internships are educational hands-on opportunities during which students work at a NASA research facility for the summer under the direction of a NASA scientist or engineer. During the internship participants engage in scientific or engineering research, development, and operations activities. Through these internships, participants leverage NASA's unique mission activities and mentorship to enhance and increase their professional capabilities and clarify their long-term career goals.

For more information on the NASA Internships visit the Vermont Space Grant page: uvm.edu/spacegrant

Mass-Mutual Complex Systems REU

Award Description: The MassMutual Complex Systems Internships are 10-week summer internships during which undergraduate students conduct research with researchers from the MassMutual Center of Excellence in Complex Systems at UVM. Examples of research topics include areas such as the links between longevity/wellness and physical and financial health, algorithmic fairness and transparency, and measurement technologies for large scale social systems.

For more information on the NASA Internships visit the UVM Complex Systems Center page: vermontcomplexsystems.org/education/funding/

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.