Summer Research Experience

In an effort to promote student–faculty collaboration and engagement, the Office of Student Success and Speed School of Engineering faculty members encourage student to apply for the First-Year Summer Research Experience.

The First-Year Summer Research Experience is a ten-week research program (May 15th–July 31st) in which selected first-year students are matched with a faculty mentor from one of Speed School’s eight departments:

  • Bioengineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering Fundamentals
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

Program Objective:

The goals of the program are to:

  • Introduce students to a variety of research opportunities in the Speed School of Engineering
  • Provide exposure to laboratory environments
  • Connect students with Speed faculty who are actively engaged in engineering research

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Build rapport with faculty members
  • Network for future research, co-op, or research experience for undergraduates (REU) opportunities
  • Gain research experience and skills
  • Articulate research interests
  • Enhance public speaking skills through end-of-program presentation

Faculty Outcomes:

  • Mentor first-year students early in their engineering career
  • Make connections for potential future research partnerships
  • Promote student persistence, development, and interest in research

Student Eligibility and Requirements:

  • To be eligible for the First-Year Summer Research Experience, students must:
    • Have a 3.0+ GPA at the end of the Spring 2023 semester
    • Be a first-year student enrolled in a Speed School undergraduate program
  • If accepted into the First-Year Summer Research Experience, students must:
    • Enroll in ENGR 209, a 1 credit hour class, to earn credit for the Summer research. Enrollment in ENGR 209 during Summer 2023 will add structure and accountability, and promote positive program outcomes for faculty and students.
      • Students who are taking 12 or 13 credit hours in Summer 2023 will not be charged for the additional 1 credit hour for ENGR 209.
      • Students who are taking 0 to 11 credit hours will be charged for the additional 1 credit hour for ENGR 209. Limited need based scholarships are available. Please contact davis@louisville.edu if in need of funding for this opportunity.
    • Attend three research meetings throughout the Summer to discuss experiences and learn from peers and mentors.
    • Present final research presentation at the end of the Summer term.

Note: This is not a paid research opportunity.

Apply Today