ABOUT Discovery Learning

Discovery learning allows you to conduct research in an area related to your interests with faculty, graduate students, and industry or government partners.  Participating in discovery learning activities is especially encouraged for those students considering advanced degrees or a career in academia.

• Undergraduate engineering students in the Discovery Learning Apprenticeship Program earn hourly wages while engaging in research with college faculty and graduate students. Students learn hands-on techniques, gain insight to a field of study, and learn life skills such as time management, flexibility and how to be part of a team. Positions are announced in early April and applications are accepted in late April for apprenticeships during the following academic year.
• The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) supports research partnerships between faculty and undergraduates from all colleges. Students from all academic levels can participate. Grants include assistantships, team grants, or standard grants. All projects require a faculty sponsor. UROP is a campus-wide program, supporting students from all schools and colleges including the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
• BioScience Undergraduate Research Skills and Training (BURST) provides an hourly wage to support students who are interested in working on biomedical/bioscience projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Preference for awards is given to sophomores and juniors.
• The College of Engineering and Applied Science allows students to earn course credit for research activities by initiating an independent study. Inquiries should be directed to those faculty members working in an area of interest to you.

• The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) with grants to faculty members throughout the college, providing students with stipends and, in some cases, assistance with housing and travel, as they work on research projects.  Inquiries should be directed to your department, or you can look for summer REU opportunities at other universities via the NSF website for REU site locations:  http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm