Undergraduates Gain Hands-on Research Experience in Summer Programs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Selected undergraduate students from across the country will participate in one of four Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs on the U of A campus, beginning Sunday, May 23.

The 10-week summer programs, funded by the National Science Foundation, engage students in hands-on research experience in a chosen field while introducing them to careers in scientific research. The University of Arkansas REU summer programs host 10-12 students in physics, microelectronics-photonics, chemistry and biochemistry, and space and planetary sciences.

Outside of the lab, students will attend presentations from campus experts on a variety of topics. A number of social activities are also planned throughout the summer to give REU students a chance to interact.

Students in all four programs also will take field trips to industrial sites to gain a real-world sense of science in their field.

Selected students receive a scholarship to pay for room and board and an allowance to attend a regional or national chemical conference in 2004-2005. Beginning this summer, students involved in the program are enrolled as students at the U of A and will receive one-hour of research credit. The REU programs will conclude Friday, July 30.

Below is a list of participating departments in the REU Program:

Chemistry and Biochemistry

The REU in chemistry and biochemistry is in its 16th consecutive year. Participating students are chemistry majors who will carry out research in analytical chemistry and sensor technology, biochemistry and protein dynamics, inorganic chemistry and nanotechnology, and organic chemistry and physical and theoretical chemistry

Physics

The REU in physics is tailored to physics majors or those in fields related to optics and materials science. Students will perform research on several frontiers, such as experimental and theoretical projects, nonlinear and quantum optics, optical properties of nanoparticles, optical properties of materials at high pressure, photothermal deflection spectroscopy, multiple quantum well structures, and optical methods for biophysics.

Microelectronics-Photonics

The REU in microelectronics-photonics will be based in nanoscience research. Students in the fields of engineering, physics, chemistry, material science, math and other majors will participate.

Space and Planetary Science

The Arkansas-Oklahoma Center for Space and Planetary Sciences REU program attracts students from the disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, geology and mechanical engineering to carry out research, either at the U of A or Oklahoma State University, in the areas of geological processes on planetary surfaces, astronomical processes, instruments and engineering for possible use on Mars, and biological investigations of life on Mars.

For more information, contact the department of chemistry and biochemistry at (479) 575-5198.