Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Automotive Technologies

This program has been funded for Summers 2007, 2008, and 2009. A proposal is pending to support the reactivation of this program for Summers 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Overview:

The engineering economy is becoming increasingly global. To succeed in this new economy, engineers must not only be technically competent and effective at working within multidisciplinary teams, but they must also have the cultural, social, and language skills necessary to effectively interact with colleagues and customers overseas.

Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Virginia Tech (USA) and the Technische Universität Darmstadt (Germany) have established a dual international NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site to encourage US undergraduate students to pursue graduate studies and a research career within an international context and, in particular, within the area of automotive technologies. The third cohort of 12 students will enroll in this REU program for Summer 2009.

Four REU students will be located at Virginia Tech (VT) in Blacksburg, Virginia, and eight REU students will be located at Technische Universität Darmstadt (TUD) in Darmstadt, Germany. These students will join local graduate research teams in the area of automotive technologies. The objective is to place the REU students, to the extent possible, in joint VT-TUD research projects so they can participate in transatlantic research teams with REU students in both locations. In many cases, and subject to continued NSF funding, there will be an opportunity for the REU students to return during Summer 2010 for research at the other location, and to continue their research at a distance while back at their home university during the 2009-2010 academic year.

Language Skills: The research will take place using English. German language skill, while desirable, will not be required. To the extent German language training is available and desired by the individual REU students, the REU student will be given time off with pay to pursue German language training on a part-time basis. The cost of tuition and/or fees for this optional training will be the responsibility of the REU student.

Academic Credit: The REU students will have the option to earn up to six (6) semester credit hours of ME 4994 Undergraduate Research from Virginia Tech for their REU research at VT or TUD. ME 4994 counts as technical elective credits for VT BSME students. The cost of tuition and/or fees for this optional academic credit will be the responsibility of the REU student.

Research Locations (Summer 2009)

Dates

Renumeration

The REU students will receive a stipend of at least US$3,000 plus free room, board, and travel. The exact amount of the stipend will be determined in April 2009 once the cost of air travel and the currency exchange rates are less uncertain.

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