Outcomes of a novel REU site in chemistry & chemical engineering

Abstract

National Science Foundation, Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs have become widely regarding as a beneficial experience for undergraduate students considering graduate school. Successful sites offer professional development opportunities for the REU participants on many levels. These levels include (but are not limited to) the research project itself, soft and technical skills development, and participant camaraderie. This work will act as a retrospective after the first three years co-directing a collaborative REU site at Mississippi State University entitled, "Chemistry - Chemical Engineering: The Bonds Between Us." This Bonds REU site combined the research strengths of the chemistry and chemical engineering disciplines in a synergistic relationship. Participants gained experience, techniques, and perspectives from both fields. The program was so successful that by year three, 20 students participated even though NSF funded only 9 on the grant. This retrospective focuses on measures of success for student development in the program; assessment figures are reported. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2008.