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2004-1793

EXPERIENCES IN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPOSING CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDENTS TO RESEARCH AT AN INSTITUTION WITH NO ENGINEERING GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Philip L. Brach, Ph.D., P.E., F-NSPE, Ahmet Zeytinci, Ph.D., P.E.

Distinguished Professor / Professor and Chairman Engineering University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.

Abstract

The Engineering Programs at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) solicited support from the Xerox Corporation to initiate a research experience for undergraduate students similar to Graduate Research Fellowships (GRF). For over 20 years now Xerox Corporation has helped to fund what is called “The Xerox Fellows Program” (so named in recognition of their sustained support). This program provides a small stipend for the student and one for a faculty mentor. The mentor and student agree upon an appropriate research topic. A school committee reviews and ranks the proposals; the Dean then ranks the fellowships. The fellows’ experience has been very beneficial to both students and mentors who have participated in the program. This paper is a brief overview of the Fellows Program, including selected examples of student research projects.

Introduction

One of the most beneficial aspects of graduate studies is the opportunity for students to work as graduate assistants in either teaching or research activities. For the graduate student this has two primary benefits:

1. It provides income to assist the student to pursue graduate studies 2. It enhances the student’s KSA’s (Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes) necessary for mastering the students’ chosen discipline.

In the early 70s the authors felt that a similar experience would be equally beneficial to undergraduate students, and that it would enhance their ability to pursue graduate studies. This interest is particularly relevant to the University of the District of Columbia, since it is a relatively new urban institution of higher education, having only undergraduate studies in Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2004, American Society for Engineering Education

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Zeytinci, A., & Brach, P. (2004, June), Experiences In Undergraduate Research Exposing Civil Engineering Students To Research At An Institution With No Graduate Programs Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--13701