Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T01:58:18.586Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Team via Independent Study Courses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2015

Kyle G. Gipson*
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, James Madison University, MSC 4113, 801 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, U. S. A.
Get access

Abstract

Undergraduate students from Engineering, Physics, Geology & Chemistry come together to form multidisciplinary teams as part of an undergraduate research opportunity through a sequence of independent study classes within the Department of Engineering at James Madison University. The undergraduate research groups typically contain students from freshman to senior years, totaling approximately three to eight students per academic year per group. One of the primary objectives is to provide a high-level research experience for undergraduates in a nurturing environment within the academic year. Peer-mentoring is integral piece to the team dynamics. The course sequence that facilitates the research opportunity is constructed in order for students to produce research that can be applied to obtaining a minor in Materials Science. Methodologies employed in the course range from problem-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and collaborative efforts with outside entities. The course objectives are geared towards developing critical & creative thinking, technical writing and oral communication skills through the development of planned action & experiments with data analysis as well as submitting findings to be presented at regional and national conferences.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Madan, C. & Teitge, B., “The Benefits of Undergraduate Research: The Student’s Perspective,” The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal. May 1, 2013. Retrieved 12-15-14 http://dus.psu.edu/mentor/2013/05/undergraduate-research-students-perspective/ Google Scholar
Reis, R., Tomorrow’s Professor: Preparing for Academic Careers in Science and Engineering. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., (1997).Google Scholar
Peroune, D., Journal of European Industrial Training, 31, 244 (2007).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cotugna, N. & Vickery, C., Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 98, 10, 1166, (1998).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McCormack, J., Career World, 38, 5, 1517, (2010).Google Scholar
Ostroff, C. & Kozlowski, S., Journal of Vocational Behavior, 42, 170183, (1993).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ma, H.; Jen, A. K. -.; Dalton, L. R. Adv Mater 2002, 14, 13391365.Google Scholar
Zubia, J.; Arrue, J. Optical Fiber Technology: Materials, Devices and Systems 2001, 7, 101–40.Google Scholar
Slooff, L. H.; van Blaaderen, A.; Polman, A.; Hebbink, G. A.; Klink, S. I.; VanVeggel, F. C. J. M.; Reinhoudt, D. N.; Hofstraat, J. W. J. Appl. Phys. 2002, 91, 39553980.Google Scholar
Resch-Genger, U.; Grabolle, M.; Cavaliere-Jaricot, S.; Nitschke, R.; Nann, T. Nat Meth 2008, 5, 763-775.Google Scholar
Wang, J.; Bo, S.; Song, L.; Hu, J.; Liu, X.; Zhen, Z. Nanotechnology 2007, 18, 465606 (6 pp.).Google Scholar
Kong, D. Y.; Wang, Z. L.; Lin, C. K.; Quan, Z. W.; Li, Y. Y.; Li, C. X.; Lin, J. Nanotechnology 2007, 18, 7.Google Scholar
Daniel, M.; Astruc, D. Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 293346.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Flipsen, T. A. C.; Steendam, R.; Pennings, A. J.; Hadziioannou, G. Adv Mater 1996, 8, 45–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stouwdam, J. W.; Van Veggel, Frank C. J. M. Langmuir 2004, 20, 1176311771.Google Scholar
Wang, Z.; Li, M.; Wang, C.; Chang, J.; Shi, H.; Lin, J. Journal of Rare Earths 2009, 27, 3337.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Veggel, F. C. J. M.; Stouwdam, J. W.; Hebbink, G. A.; Huskens, J. In In Lanthanide(III)- doped nanoparticles that emit in the near infrared; Nanomaterials and Their Optical Applications, August 5, 2003-August 7; SPIE: San Diego, CA, United states, 2003; Vol. 5224, pp 164–175.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stouwdam, J. W.; van Veggel, F. C. J. M. Nano Letters 2002, 2, 733–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Glazer, E.; Magde, D.; Tor, Y. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129, 85448551.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meng, J.; Zhang, M.; Liu, Y.; Man, S. Spectrochimica Acta - Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 2007, 66, 8185.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yanes, A. C.; Del-Castillo, J.; Mendez-Ramos, J.; Rodriguez, V. D.; Torres, M. E.; Arbiol, J. Optical Materials 2007, 29, 9991003.CrossRefGoogle Scholar