Harvey Mudd College computer science professors George Monta\u00f1ez and Lucas Bang have received National Science Foundation (NSF) funding for a renewal of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site at Harvey Mudd College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Focusing on computer systems, with an eye toward search, artificial intelligence and data science, the REU brings the most compelling aspects of graduate school to a 10-week summer program where HMC students and faculty work as peers on stimulating research questions. Academic and recreational group activities create a strong common-cohort experience. The program develops research ability, improves presentation skills and nurtures student interest in research-related careers. In August 2019, the Computer Science Department completed its fifth three-year REU at HMC and Monta\u00f1ez and Bang are eager to continue the site for another three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur REU site encourages students to pursue graduate work in computer science by providing a microcosm of (the best of) the graduate-school research experience. In addition, we aspire to provide our students with the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in graduate school,\u201d says Monta\u00f1ez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program goals are to build a sense of joy and empowerment for doing computer science research and graduate study; expose students to the entire research process (literature survey, problem identification, ethical considerations, investigative work and preparation of publishable results); engage all students in developing significant research contributions; and develop excellent teamwork skills as well as oral and written communication skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMembers of the Computer Science Department have learned a great deal through our first five REUs,\u201d says Bang. \u201cOur evidence strongly suggests that all our participants found the program to be beneficial, stimulating\u2014and even joyful!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The REU site involves 10 students each summer for a 10-week period. To foster a strong cohort experience, students work in groups of two or three with an experienced faculty mentor. Each group gives three to four presentations on their research during the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur \u2018whole-experience\u2019 approach provides students with an understanding of research that
\nis more exciting, compelling and accurate than providing each student with a prepackaged research problem or adding undergraduates as \u2018extra hands\u2019 to existing research tasks,\u201d Monta\u00f1ez says. \u201cIn particular, our approach provides students with a strong sense of investment in\u2014and ownership of\u2014the work that they do, and a better sense of both the joys and challenges involved in real research.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are excited to build atop past REUs\u2019 strengths while addressing areas which provide
\nopportunity for improvement and experimentation,\u201d says Bang.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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