Students learn not merely in the classroom, but through hands-on research experiences. Depending upon the discipline, up to 40% of UK engineering and computer science undergraduate students have participated in a research experience by the time they graduate. Research experiences allow students to enhance their education while earning academic credit and/or monetary compensation.

Students work as key members of research teams under the direction of noted faculty members. They utilize the latest equipment in our modern laboratories and make discoveries that will possibly better our world. They learn valuable skills such as teamwork and collaboration while at the same time making important faculty contacts as well as interacting with industry.

Student Showcase

Here are just a few of the projects undergraduate students are working on in the College of Engineering.
Profile: May Ping Li Hong

Finding the Right Project

To get the most out of your research experience, you need to find the project that best meets your interests and working style. Take time to do a self-inventory.

Is a project in your major the one for you or would a multidisciplinary project work well? Do you want to work as part of an overall research team or do you prefer independent research?

Research the Researchers

You have a general idea of what you’d like to do, now you need to hook up with the right faculty member. Do some research on the researchers. Look over their web sites for information on their research programs including their current projects. There’s a wealth on information to be mined on the web. Pick up any written material there is on your department’s research programs. Talk to current students, undergraduate and graduate. Find out what they know about what types of projects are underway or any opportunities on the horizon. Consult with your current professors. They are keenly aware of their colleagues’ projects. Finally, don’t forget to talk to department staff members. They have a wealth of information to share. Do your best to find out who is working on what before you meet with a faculty or research staff member.

Making Contact

You know what you want to do. You know which faculty and staff are doing similar work. It’s time to contact them. This is where information from department staff will come in handy. They will know if a faculty member is more likely to respond to an e-mail or phone call to set up a face-to-face meeting. Find our their preference and ask for a face-to-face meeting.

At the meeting, state what it is you’d like to do. Listen to what projects are available. There may not be an exact fit between the two. If not, ask yourself, will working on this project provide me with the kind of educational experience I want? If yes, congratulations! You’re on your way to an exciting new life experience. If not, make contact with another faculty member and begin the process again. Persistence pays off. You will find the right research experience for you.

During the Semester

To make the most of your research experience, follow these simple rules. Put in the required time. In general, for every credit hour you will earn, expect to put in three hours of lab or other related work. Do what you are asked to do. Read any material given to you. Conduct the experiments or run the computer programs you are asked to do. Show up at individual and/or team meetings on time and prepared to discuss your work. Learn all you can and make as many contacts as possible. Be willing to extend yourself like never before. It will pay big dividends.

Faculty and Staff Researchers Utilizing Undergraduates in Their Program

Here’s a list of current faculty and research staff regularly using undergraduate students in their research programs. This list is by no means exhaustive. If you don’t see a particular person listed, contact them anyway.

Click on the person's name to send a quick note--click on the agency to visit another website:
David Allen - Kentucky Transportation Center
Kimberly Ward Anderson – Chemical and Materials Engineering
D. B. Bhattacharyya – Chemical and Materials Engineering
Judy Goldsmith – Computer Science
Eric Grulke – Chemical and Materials Engineering
Issam Harik – Civil Engineering
Jane Hayes – Computer Science
Tommy Hopkins - Kentucky Transportation Center
Ted Hopwood – Kentucky Transportation Center
Jurek Jaromczyk – Computer Science
Jack Leifer – Mechanical Engineering, Paducah
Barbara Knutson – Chemical and Materials Engineering
Jim McDonough – Mechanical Engineering
Jerry Pigman - Kentucky Transportation Center
Naresh Shah – Consortium for Fossil Fuel Science
Suzanne Weaver Smith – Mechanical Engineering
Nick Stamatiadis – Civil Engineering