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

Several social events are planned. Families of student participants are invited to the orientation and farewell events.

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 . 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 (Auburn Risk Management and Safety)	Campus Tours Meet and Greet Dinner (Students and Families)
Week 2	Effective Time Management and Study Skill Techniques (Dr. Jack Walls, Career Development Services)	Group Dinner
Week 3	Resume Building, Cover Letters, and Job Search Strategies (Dr. Jack Walls, Career Development Services) 5 Minute Participant Presentations to REU Group	Trip to Lake Martin
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 Lunch
Week 6	The Patent Process, Intellectual Property, and Commercializing Technology (Dr. Brian Wright, Associate Director for Commercialization) Industry Speaker (Speaker from Engineering Alumni Council will talk about their path to success)	Social Event
Week 7	Giving Effective Presentations and Technical Writing Skills (Dr. Steve Duke) Graduate Student Panel Discussion (Graduate students representing successful peer examples) Group Picnic	Group Picnic
Week 8	Industry Field Trip	Industry Field Trip
Week 9	Transferring to Bachelor's Program (Academic Requirements, Transfer Issues) (Bob Karcher, Director of Engineering Student Services) or Applying to Graduate School (Program Selection, Strong Applications, GRE, Statement of Purpose,) (Dr. M. Byrne)	Group Lunch
Week 10	Participant Research Poster Session (REU Group, Mentors, University Faculty and Administrators, Engineering Alumni Council Representatives)	Farewell Dinner and Presentations (Students and Families)