Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T02:15:55.789Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Mentoring Undergraduate Students in Computational Materials Research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 May 2015

Jie Zou*
Affiliation:
Physics Department, Eastern Illinois University, 600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston, IL 61920, U.S.A.
Get access

Abstract

Computation has become an increasingly important tool in materials science. Compared to experimental research, which requires facilities that are often beyond the financial capability of primarily-undergraduate institutions, computation provides a more affordable approach. In the Physics Department at Eastern Illinois University (EIU), students have opportunities to participate in computational materials research. In this paper, I will discuss our approach to involving undergraduate students in this area. Specifically, I will discuss (i) how to prepare undergraduate students for computational research, (ii) how to motivate and recruit students to participate in computational research, and (iii) how to select and design undergraduate projects in computational materials science. Suggestions on how similar approaches can be implemented at other institutions are also given.

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

Christian, W. and Ambrose, B., Am. J. Phys. 76, 293 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zou, J., Am. J. Phys. 76, 460 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zou, J., Lange, X., and Richardson, C., J. Appl. Phys. 100, 104309 (2006).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Balandin, A. A., Nika, D. L., and Pokatilov, E. P., Phys. Status Solidi (c) 1, No. 11, 2658 (2004).CrossRefGoogle Scholar