Undergraduate Research Assistants (URA)
The purpose of the Undergraduate Research Assistants (URA) funding supplements is to provide research opportunities in earthquake engineering and related fields for undergraduates, at their home institutions, during the academic year. Program emphasis is on providing incentives for seeking outstanding undergraduates, encouraging student consideration of earthquake engineering as a field of graduate study, and extending undergraduate curriculum through opportunities for becoming a critical part of research. The Undergraduate Research Assistants augments present or future MAE Center research projects.
Application: MAE Center Principal Investigators submit applications briefly describing the research projects, the tasks the undergraduate is expected to perform and what faculty researcher will be supervising the student. The undergraduate students need be in good academic standing. Matching support [1:1] is required by the home institution for the undergraduate student.
Selection: A review panel evaluates the applications. The panel consists of one person nominated by each of the three Research Program Coordinators, the Education Program Coordinator, and the Education Program Assistant. The MAE Center Director makes the final decision based on panel recommendations.
Activities: This research program seeks to enhance student interactions while developing mentored relationships with faculty. At the end of the calendar year the Undergraduate Research Assistant must complete and submit a final report summarizing the research activity and results. Each undergraduate student (URA) will be expected to attend the Annual Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Symposium held in mid-August and present results of her or his research. Funds for participation in the REU Symposium will be provided by the MAE Center in addition to the supplements.
Evaluation: URA reports and a questionnaire will be used by the Review Panel to evaluate the program.
