GET IN THE GAME! Undergraduate Research at Purdue ME

Purdue ME is known worldwide for its research programs and facilities.  But these are not just for graduate students!  Many undergraduate students conduct research with faculty members.  Not only can you get hands-on with your chosen field, but it's also a huge networking advantage and resume builder when you begin to look for a job.

How does it work?

1. Get connected. In order to conduct research as an undergrad, you need to get connected to a faculty member whose research interests you. There are several ways to do this.

  • Use OURConnect. Scroll through the opportunities available on the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) website. These are projects volunteered by professors who are actively looking for undergraduate researchers. The Mechanical Engineering projects are available if you scroll down to "Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Research Program," but please remember that you are free to conduct research with faculty in any engineering school, so feel free to explore all the options on that page!
  • Go it alone. Find faculty members whose projects interest you by scrolling through our list of Research Areas, looking for opportunities on our PurdueME.com blog, or just asking around! Then contact that faculty member directly (using your Purdue email) and ask if they are open to welcoming you as an undergrad researcher. This can be intimidating, but if you're persistent (and friendly), you may find the right research opportunity for you!
  • Choose an organized program like SURF, DUIRI, or VIP.

2. Determine how you would like to participate. There are three options:

  • Participate for class credit; enroll in the appropriate course (ME 498 or ME 499); tuition fee applies
    OR
  • Participate for pay (if available)
    OR
  • Participate on a voluntary basis (if available). Make sure to ask your facullty member what options are available.

3. Apply!

  • If you choose a research opportunity through OUR, apply through the OURConnect system.
  • If you go it alone, determine whether you will work for class credit, and if so, register for ME498/499. Email your advisor if you have questions about how to do this.

How to receive credit for undergraduate research (ME 49800/49900)

ME 49800 and 49900 are courses that allow students to partner with a ME faculty member to engage in research for credit. Students may complete up to nine credit hours of research to apply towards degree requirements.  Both ME 49800 and ME 49900 can be used to meet ME elective requirements. Consult your academic advisor to determine exactly how the credit will be applied towards your degree.

  • ME 49800 is for students doing research for the first time for credit with a faculty member.
  • ME 49900 is for students doing research for the second or third time for credit with a faculty member.

Complete the steps below to register for ME 49800 or ME 49900:

  • Use the schedule assistant to register for the appropriate course (ME 49800 or ME 49900)
    • Select the CRN assigned to your research instructor.
    • Request an override for instructor permission.
    • Enter a note for the number of credits requested (the default is 0).
  • After instructor permission is received, adjust the number of credits. See this video for instructions on how to do this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYvXSCEVXx8

Other Opportunities

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

The SURF program is helping students across engineering, science, and technology disciplines discover a world of opportunity available to them through research. By closely working with other creative and innovative people, students explore, discover, and transform ideas into reality to advance society and improve people's lives. SURF matches undergraduates with a faculty member and graduate student mentor who introduce them to the research tools used on the cutting edges of science, engineering, and technology. More information for SURF can be found here: https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/Research/SURF.

Discovery Park Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Research Internship (DUIRI)

The Discovery Park Interdiscplinary Undergraduate Research Internship (DUIRI) program is designed to involve Purdue undergraduates in the interdisciplinary research environment of Discovery Park. The program provides opportunities for students to work with faculty affiliated with Discovery Park on cutting edge research projects that involve combining two or more disciplinary strengths. Working closely with faculty, students experience the excitement, challenge, and power of truly interdisciplinary research in the fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment that is Purdue's Discovery Park. DUIRI offers 50 part-time (6-10 hours/week) student internship slots per academic semester. More information for DUIRI can be found here: https://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/duri

Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP)

The Vertically Integrate Projects Program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to earn academic credit while engaging in authentic and extended research and design projects with interdisciplinary and vertically-integrated teams. More information for VIP can be found here: https://engineering.purdue.edu/VIP. 

Scholarships

For undergraduate students conducting research, there are specific scholarship opportunities available. Application for undergraduate research scholarships usually happens in the Fall semester.

Click here for more info on research scholarships >>>

The Bottomley Research Scholarships

The Bottomley Research Scholarships were created to encourage undergraduate mechanical engineering students to participate in research projects, and ultimately pursue graduate education opportunities. The Bottomley Research Scholarship provides a $1,000 tuition-based scholarship for the undergraduate student and $500 for the faculty member to use to fund part of the research. There are typically 15 or more Bottomley Research Scholarships each year.

The H. William Bottomley Global and Research Scholar Program in MechanicalEngineering is named to honor the late H. William Bottomley, a 1943 graduate of theSchool of Mechanical Engineering.  Supported through a planned gift by Jim and Marilynn Dammon, the Bottomley Scholar Program seeks to providedeserving undergraduate students in the School of Mechanical Engineering the opportunity to study one-on-one with a professor or provide assistance for opportunities for study abroad.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the Bottomley Research Scholarships you must:

  1. Be a Mechanical Engineering Undergrad student of good standing
  2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
  3. You must have a ME faculty research mentor working on the research with you
  4. Submit an application consisting of:
  • Your Resume
  • An Updated Plan of study with research credit added
  • A 100 word research description

Further Requirements: The recipients of the Bottomley Scholarships will also be required to present their research at the Bottomley Poster Session at the end of the Spring semester.

The Robert H. and Barbara J. Popejoy Undergraduate Scholarship and Incentive Award for Independent Study Related to Positive Displacement Compressors

The Robert H. and Barbara J. Popejoy Undergraduate Scholarship and Incentive Award was created to encourage undergraduate Mechanical Engineering students to take on speech research projects specifically relating to Positive Displacement Compressors. This scholarship awards the student $1,000 to be used for tuition and an additional $1,000 to be used to help fund the research project.

Eligibility: To be eligible for he Robert H. and Barbara J. Popejoy Undergraduate Scholarship and Incentive Award you must:

  1. Be a Mechanical Engineering Undergrad student of good standing
  2. You must have a ME faculty research mentor working on the research with you
  3. Submit an application consisting of:
  • Your Resume
  • A 100 word research description

The Ralph T. Simon Memorial Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering

The Ralph T. Simon Memorial Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering was created to encourage students to partake in undergraduate research opportunities. This scholarship focuses specifically on projects that address environmentally sensitive areas. All students are eligible to apply, but preference is given to sophomore students and student can continue to receive this scholarship as long as they remain eligible and working on this project.

Eligibility: To be eligible for The Ralph T. Simon Memorial Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering you must:

  1. Be a Mechanical Engineering Undergrad student of good standing
  2. Active in non-academic activities (such as fine arts, athletics, or community service through student organizations or other community outreach efforts)
  3. 3.0 GPA or higher
  4. You must have a ME faculty research mentor working on the research with you
  5. Must be completing a project that addresses an environmentally sensitive area
  6. Submit an application consisting of:
    • Your Resume
    • A 100 word research description

Questions? Contact Brandon Boyd: bnboyd@purdue.edu

 

 

Undergraduate Office (ME Building Room 2172)
585 Purdue Mall
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Email: MEundergrad@purdue.edu