NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program in Micro/Nano-Structured Materials, Therapeutics, and Devices

Professional Development and Social Activities

 Andrew Monfort and Deborah Shannon

Andrew Monfort and Deborah Shannon:
2006 REU Fellows

Students will be introduced to skills such as literature searching and review, research design, laboratory research techniques, written and oral presentation, as well as working in a team environment. Students will participate as a group in weekly seminars and workshops that allow cross cultivation of the individual research experience as well as address professional development (e.g., research methods, transferring to a bachelor degree program, steps in the graduate school application process, technical writing, effective presentation skills, professional etiquette training, ethics in science and engineering, patents and commercialization, etc.)

2007 REU Fellows Camping Trip

2007 REU Fellows at 4th of July Party

Professional development activities will be conducted in part by the Auburn University Career Development Services and Engineering Student Success offices, as well as by engineering alumni council members from various industrial and professional organizations.

Christina Yacoob at farewell dinner

Christina Yacoob (2006 REU Fellow)
from SUNY Buffalo at Farewell Dinner
with Dr. Harper and Ben Marshall,
Junior Chemical Engineering

Several social events are planned and many impromptu 'get togethers' and events occur throughout the summer program.

Participating students will have the opportunity to live together in a unique residence hall environment within a five-minute walk to campus. For more information please click on the the following link to the homepage of The Cambridge Link Icon. Undergraduate and graduate student mentors from Auburn University will participate in the program and provide peer contacts.

Professional Development and Social Activities of the Auburn REU Site

Week Number
Professional Component
Social Component

Week 1

Literature Search (AU Library Staff), Research Methods (Dr. M. Byrne)
Safe Laboratory Practices Workshop (Dr. Margaret Smith, Auburn Risk Management and Safety)

Campus Tours
Meet and Greet Dinner (Students and Families)

Week 2

Effective Time Management and Study Skill Techniques for Over Achievers (Dr. Kathryn Jarvis, Career Development Services)

Group Dinner

Week 3

Resume Building, Cover Letters, and Job Search Strategies (Dr. Jack Walls, Career Development Services)
7 Minute Participant Presentations to REU Group (with individual feedback)
Inter-REU Group Presentations (meet 2 other REU's)

Trip to Lake Martin Dinner at PI's House

Week 4

Ethics Discussion and Case Studies Workshop (Dr. Steve Duke, Dr. Mark Byrne)
Industry Speaker (Speaker from Engineering Alumni Council \ will talk about their path to success)

Group Dinner at Art Museum

Week 5

Interviewing Techniques and Mock Interviews (Dr. Jack Walls, Auburn Career Center Services)

Etiquette Dinner

Week 6

The Patent Process, Intellectual Property, and Commercializing Technology (Dr. Brian Wright, AJ Gokcek, J.D., Associate Director for Commercialization and Patent Lawyer)

Social Event

Week 7

Giving Effective Presentations and Technical Writing Skills (Dr. Steve Duke)
Graduate Student Panel Discussion (Graduate students talk about their path to graduate school)
7 Minute Participant Presentations to REU Group (with individual feedback)

Group Picnic

Week 8

Industry Field Trip (similar to previous 2008 Exxon, 2007 ProEthic Pharmaceuticals, 2006 Brookwood Pharmaceuticals)

Industry Field Trip with Group Lunch

Week 9

Transferring to Bachelor's Program (Academic Requirements, Transfer Issues) (Bob Karcher, Director of Engineering Student Services) or Applying to Graduate School-Insider's Perspective (Program Selection, Strong Applications, GRE, Statement of Purpose) (Dr. M. Byrne)
5 Minute Participant Poster Presentations to REU Group (with group feedback)

Group Lunch (with External Evaluator - no PIs or Mentors present)

Week 10

Participant Research Poster Session (REU Group, Mentors, University Faculty and Administrators, Engineering Alumni Council Representatives)
Assessment Survey and Exit Interviews

Farewell Dinner and Presentations (Students and Families)

Related Links