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. Review this list of available projects:

2. Determine how you would like to participate:

  • Participate for class credit; enroll in the appropriate course (ME 297, ME 498, or ME 499); tuition fee applies
    OR
  • Participate for pay (if available)
    OR
  • Participate on a voluntary basis (if available)

3. Complete the Spring 2025 Research Application.  Please note: you will need to upload a resume, so it's best to complete this application on a computer instead of a mobile device.

  • Deadline is Sunday, October 20!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When should I apply?  The application is open until Sunday, October 20.
  • Who can apply? All Purdue ME students can apply.
  • Must I use my purdue.edu email to apply? Yes
  • How many projects can I apply for?  Up to 3
  • Can I accept more than one project offer? No
  • Is the acceptance of a research project offer binding? Yes!  If you accept an offer, you are expected to honor your commitment to your research project team. 
  • When will the actual research happen? Spring 2025 semester, January 13 - May 10, 2025
  • Where can I find information about enrolling for credit? Instructions for how to register are below.

How to Research with a Mechanical Engineering Faculty Member for Credit (ME 49800/49900)

ME 49800 and 49900 are variable title courses that allow students to partner with a ME faculty member to engage in research for credit. Students should consider a topic or area of interest in which they would like to participate in research.  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.

Students are responsible for approaching faculty to discuss research opportunities. A listing of faculty who conduct research in specific areas can be found here. Students should email the faculty member from a Purdue email account to request a meeting to discuss opportunities for research. During the meeting, the student and faculty should discuss the type of research/project, time commitment, expectations, etc.

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 Undergraduate Research Internship (DURI)

The Discovery Park Undergraduate Research Internship (DURI) 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. DURI offers 50 part-time (6-10 hours/week) student internship slots per academic semester. More information for DURI 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. 

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.

Spring 2025 ME Research Scholarships will open after students are accepted for Undergraduate Research

Scholarship Application open through Monday, November 18th, 2024. 

Questions? Contact Brandon Boyd: bnboyd@purdue.edu

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

Spring 2025 ME Research Scholarships will open after students are accepted for Undergraduate Research.

Scholarship Application open through Monday, November 18th, 2024. 

Questions? Contact Brandon Boyd: bnboyd@purdue.edu

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

Spring 2025 ME Research Scholarships will open after students are accepted for Undergraduate Research.

Scholarship Application open through Monday, November 18th, 2024. 

Questions? Contact Brandon Boyd: bnboyd@purdue.edu

 

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