Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
Application deadline for Summer 2008 has now passed. We greatly appreciate all those that applied and expressed their interest in our program.
About the program
The Biomimetic MicroElectronic Systems Engineering Research Center (BMES ERC) offers a summer program for undergraduate students funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program is held in Los Angeles, CA at the University of Southern California. This program allows students to contribute to the development of novel biomimetic microelectronic systems based on fundamental principles of biology in one of our three testbeds:
- Retinal Prosthesis
- Neuromuscular Prosthesis
- Cortical Prosthesis
The BMES ERC invites talented undergraduates to participate in active research projects and work alongside our world-renowned researchers and students.
This is an 8-week program from June 6 – August 1, 2008.
Program Requirements:
- Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing as of June 2008, majoring in engineering or the sciences. Students who have received their bachelor’s degrees are not eligible.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Open only to non-USC students.
The BMES ERC is a strong advocate of diversity and actively supports NSF’s mission to increase the diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce by including all members of society, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, in all aspects of the centers' activities.
The BMES ERC strongly encourages applications from women, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and persons with disabilities.
Students will receive:
- $3,200 stipend for the 8-week program
- Paid housing in USC dorms
- Travel support
- Personal mentoring by USC researchers and graduate students
- Valuable research experience in world-renowned academic laboratories
Curriculum:
In addition to research experience, the REU program includes interactive coursework and activities which include:
- Laboratory safety
- Research skills including lab notebook techniques
- Oral and written science and engineering communication skills
- Ethics in science and engineering
- BMES ERC faculty/graduate student seminars
- Tours of the USC campus and BMES ERC laboratories
- Visits to Caltech, the California Science Center, and industry partners
- Resume workshop
- Graduate/Medical school application workshop
- Fellowships workshop
- Interview skills workshop
- Entrepreneurship workshop
- Summer Science Day at Murchison Elementary School
- Final presentation of research to fellow REU students, mentors, and BMES ERC faculty and staff
- Interaction with the Integrated Media Systems Center (IMSC) ERC
- Social and cultural activities
A full-time Program Coordinator will be in communication with each REU student throughout the summer to assist and supervise with logistics, scheduling, housing, etc. The coordinator will perform regular visits to the research labs and maintain a dialogue with designated graduate students mentors.
The overall program will be supervised by BMES Education and Outreach Coordinator, Diana Sabogal. Questions regarding the program should be directed to her (dsabogal@usc.edu).
About the program
