REU Sites: Multidisiciplinary Research in Computing

University South Carolina Research Foundation, Columbia SC

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract CNS-0649105 PI: Caroline Eastman Institution: University of South Carolina Title: REU Site: Multidisciplinary Research in Computing This project renews an exemplary CISE Research Experience for Undergraduates site focused on the areas of information secure and reliable software. A regional recruitment process is used to select cohorts of undergraduate students to participate in a summer research program at the host institution. The project includes mentoring by the experienced faculty members, technical seminars and workshops, student presentations, and field trips and other professional development opportunities. It also includes a special ethics in information technology and research component. The project refines the recruitment, selection, and performance evaluation processes developed in the previous REU site project at the institution. The intellectual merit of this project lies in strong research basis and the expertise of the faculty. The projects are in current research areas that are of interest to the community at large and that and can lead to the development of more effective tools for the engineering of secure, reliable, and effective software. The students participate in a full range of research activities from preparing research literature to production and dissemination of research results. The broader impacts of the project include providing a quality research experience to undergraduate students, particularly students from underrepresented groups using established collaboration with the South Carolina Alliance for Minority Participation (SCAMP) program. The participating faculty members are committed to under-represented minority students in their research. The institution has an outstanding record of supporting undergraduate research with many of the undergraduates selecting to go on to graduate school as a result of the experience. Thus this project has the potential to produce new computer science graduate students and faculty members and to advance discovery and understanding while promoting learning.