2007 Research Experience for Undergraduates

REU Program Description | Eligibility | Stipends | Research Programs 
Selecting a Project | Activities | Housing | Application | Deadline Date
Frequently Asked Questions

The three Earthquake Engineering Research Centers, Mid-America Earthquake (http://mae.cee.uiuc.edu/) Center, Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (http://mceer.buffalo.edu/) and Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (http://peer.berkeley.edu/) each sponsor up to eight students from universities and four-year colleges to spend ten weeks in the summer conducting individual research projects that contribute to ongoing research programs of the centers (pending available funding).

“There’s no doubt in my mind that taking part in the REU experience not only has changed my career path for the better, but it has also changed my life for the better.”    - 2000 Intern
 

What you will gain –

• Hands-on research experience
• Participation in a challenging but supportive interdisciplinary research team environment
• Exposure to the latest methodologies in earthquake studies
• Occasion to work with established researchers
• Improved observation and communication skills
• Awareness of the diversity of earthquake research
• Interaction with graduate students who will serve as mentors
• Opportunity to judge whether a career in research is right for you

The REU program offers unique opportunities for outstanding undergraduate students to participate in state-of-the-art research. REU participants are paired with a faculty advisor and the student joins the faculty member’s research team (i.e., consisting of faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate research assistants, and other undergraduate students).

Each participant has a predetermined individual research project, chosen during the selection process, which contributes to the goals of an existing MAE Center research project (see Selecting a Project to pick your top three project choices).

Appropriate faculty supervision will be provided throughout the summer, and students will be taught how to conduct independent research and how to participate effectively as a member of a research team. The REU program begins in June and concludes in August. Arrangements are made for students whose schedule conflicts with the program dates.

Undergraduate student researchers may work on visiting summer appointments at any one of the following core institutions of the MAE Center: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Memphis, Washington University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Texas at Austin, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, University of Michigan, or Texas A&M University.

Through system–driven research, education, and outreach, the MAE Center is creating innovative solutions to mitigate impacts of earthquakes through quantification and consequential minimization of seismic losses across regions and networks, and is working proactively with decision-and policy-makers, stakeholders, and practitioners to develop advanced knowledge and applicable technologies for the assessment and minimization of seismic losses. The mission of the Center is to develop through research, and to disseminate through education and outreach, new integrated approaches necessary to minimize the consequences of future earthquakes across hazard-prone regions, including but not limited to, the eastern and central United States.  Integrated interdisciplinary research synthesizing damage across regions, estimating seismic vulnerability across regional and national networks, and identifying seismic hazard forms the core research activities needed to develop such consequence-based approaches and to support stakeholder interests in seismic risk assessment and mitigation.  From the eight core institutions, the Center has assembled research teams with complementary talents in seismology, geophysics, geotechnical and structural engineering, the social sciences, economics, risk assessment and urban planning.

Consequence-based Risk Management (CRM) is the Center’s earthquake engineering framework.  CRM is founded on the premise that earthquake hazard mitigation decisions should be informed through an analysis of system-level consequences.  Risks from earthquakes stem largely from the as-built environment – the damage or collapse of buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure.  The MAE Center research program is thus focused on engineering research to advance our understanding of earthquake consequences and interventions, with secondary emphasis on earthquake consequences- and decision-related social and behavioral sciences, on information technology tools for decision support, and on broader earthquake education and information dissemination.  Within the CRM framework, all research efforts are coordinated through three parallel programs on information engines, social sciences and information technology.  Now into its tenth year, the MAE Center research programs are well established. The numerous research projects offer a wide array of opportunities for interested undergraduates wishing to explore various aspects of earthquake engineering.

• Communications Workshop
  A number of supplemental activities are planned to enhance the REU experience.
  A communications workshop focusing on technical writing skills and professional presentations will be held in July on the University of Illinois campus. The workshop will be conducted by the Center for Writing Studies.
    
  “ All of us (REU students) under the MAE Center were extremely well informed and formed close relationships with each other during each encounter. We all talked about how wonderful the program was, how much we learned, and the experiences we gained that would never have been gained during any other summer.”-2001 Intern
   
  Students will actively engage in writing exercises, learn organizational techniques, and be introduced to effective presentation methodologies. Presentations will be videotaped and students may elect to receive further support from the communications facilitators by posting their research papers/queries on an Interactive Papers website. These acquired proficiencies will be used when preparing final REU reports and during the Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers where students will deliver a formal presentation.
  
  
• Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers
  The Earthquake Engineering Symposium for Young Researchers is an annual event, jointly sponsored by the three earthquake centers. The symposium provides a forum for REU participants to present the results of their research.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• REU Final Reports
  REU students will complete a final report about their summer research project. These reports will be compiled and appear in a printed tri-center proceedings. The MAE Center REU reports will also be featured in the Student Corner Online Magazine (SCOM) fall 2007 issue.

• Application Form (MS Word, RTF)
• Copy of transcript of grades
• Front and back copies of permanent resident card, if applicable
• Reference Forms (MS Word, RTF)
• Letters of reference

To Apply Send Application Materials to:
Sandra E. Menke
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Mid-America Earthquake Center
1239B Newmark Laboratory
205 N. Mathews Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
Telephone: 217-244-8297
Fax: 217-333-3821

• Is the $6,000 stipend given as a lump sum? No, the institution where you are interning will pay you as a student employee. Usually you are paid every 2 weeks over the 10-week period.
• Who makes the travel arrangements and pays the expenses for attending the Communications Workshop at the University of Illinois and the Earthquake Engineering Symposium? The MAE Center makes all arrangements and covers all expenses. 
• Can I apply to more than one earthquake center? You can submit an application to more than one earthquake center.
• How many hours do I work a week? You work a regular 40-hour workweek over the 10-week period. Schedules may vary. 
• What is the selection process? A selection committee reviews applications. Reviews are based on current GPA, research goals and interests, and letters of recommendation.
• Who do I contact for more questions? Contact Sandra Menke, smenke@uiuc.edu, 217-244-8297.