REU Site: Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Optics, Lasers, and Materials

The University Of Central Florida Board Of Trustees, Orlando FL

Investigators

Abstract

0244033 Siders This award funds a five-year Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site at the University of Central Florida (UCF) for ten students each summer. The program is designed as a twelve-week summer experience with research opportunities and other educational experiences in the area of optics, lasers, and materials. A primary emphasis of these programs will be on encouraging talented undergraduate students, in particular students from groups underrepresented in research fields in engineering, to pursue graduate studies in the field of optics and lasers. Ten internationally recognized faculty in the School of Optics Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL) will serve as research supervisors in the program. The program will include (1) Introductory informal coursework on the basic principles of optics, lasers, and optical materials; (2) Research seminars for undergraduates by the School of Optics/CREOL Faculty; (3) Industrial site visits to numerous companies in the area; (4) Seminars, workshops, and discussion sessions on issues of ethics in engineering research; and (5) Continuous monitoring of the students' progress by the principal investigators. The summer program will conclude with a poster session in which the REU students will present their research results to the UCF community.