REU Site: Engineering Cities

Drexel University, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Abstract

This award provides support for a three-year REU Site at Drexel University. The site will be built around the theme of "Engineering Cities" and it will focus on research and education in five overlapping areas of ongoing study at Drexel University: (1) analysis and mitigation of natural and anthropogenic hazards, (2) environmental quality and sustainability, (3) civil infrastructure assessment, (4) risk analysis and management, and (5) application of advanced technologies for urban engineering. It will engage 10 students each year. Eight of the students will participate for 10 summer weeks and the other two students enrolled in co-op programs will participate for 26 weeks. The program will provide opportunity for students to participate in a variety of enrichment and professional development activities such as: (1) ethics workshops, (2) a seminar series on urbanism, (3) a reading group, and (4) field trips and meetings focused on urban policy (Washington, D.C.) and managing the urban infrastructure (New York, NY). The primary goals of this program will be: (1) to motivate students to pursue advanced degrees engineering, (2) to improve students' research skills and encourage creative thinking in a laboratory or analytical setting, and (3) to develop well trained, highly qualified candidates for the nation's graduate programs.