As an MIME student, if you're passionate about doing research or simply want to explore this important dimension of engineering, there's no need to wait for graduate school to get involved. Our faculty view research as an integral part of every engineering education and welcome undergraduate participants on their research teams.
There are many benefits of participating in research as an undergraduate, such as:
On virtually every MIME research team, there is a place for undergraduate involvement and learning. In most cases, however, it will be up to you to seek out the opportunities that interest you, and to initiate the conversations to make them happen.
See this recent presentation deck by Dr. Harriet Nembard, MIME school head, for more about undergraduate research opportunities.
MIME Robotics faculty successfully hosted their first National Science Foundation-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) – Robots in the Real World. Ten undergraduates from around the United State spent ten weeks working alongside graduate students in robotics on a variety of projects.
There's no need to limit your search for undergraduate research opportunities to those within MIME. Additional options to consider are research positions elsewhere on campus for which you may be qualified; the NSF REU programs are offered throughout the U.S.; and company-sponsored undergraduate research experiences.
For more information, posted opportunities, and strategies for getting involved with research both within and beyond MIME, be sure to visit the Oregon State Undergraduate Research Framework (OSURF).
The MIME Weekly E-Bulletin and the university's Career Development site also post information about on- and off-campus research opportunities.