UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AT THE

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Gearing Up for Undergraduate Research Program
Undergraduate Research Opportunities, Coursework, and Advising

The Gearing Up for Undergraduate Research Program provides education, encouragement, and
resources for undergraduates who seek to engage in the research activities of the College of
Engineering.

Becoming involved in research is one of the most important decisions you will make as an undergraduate student. Research
opportunities abound in the College of Engineering.
The right research experience can:

better connect you to your department, chosen field and faculty
situate you to discover, then work on the most interesting problems in your field and in related disciplines
provide you with access to premiere UCD laboratories, facilities, equipment, academic libraries and Engineering
scholars and scientists
give you professional, intellectual and scientific mentors
give you an insider look at trends in your future profession and expand your career network
give you a glimpse into graduate student life
advantage you for competitive and selective graduate admission and graduate school success

Program Resources and Services:
Advising for undergraduate research exploration by appointment
Strategies for finding and obtaining undergraduate research opportunities at UCD
Resources and referrals to UCD research openings
Resources for finding off campus Summer research experiences
Resources for finding national laboratory research experiences
Workshops to enhance research and scientific presentation skills
Tours of departmental and inter-disciplinary engineering research facilities and laboratories
UCD Undergraduate Research Conference liaison

MORE (Mentorship Opportunities in Research Engineering)
One way to couch your research experience into a rigorous and structured but potentially more value-added credit
experience of 2 quarters in length, a faculty research supervisor, minimum weekly workload, and a requirement that you
develop a research abstract, poster, and scientific presentation for delivery at the annual UCD Undergraduate Research
Conference. For upper division students. Offered usually in a Fall/Winter sequence for Juniors and Seniors w/ conference in
Spring. Contact Donna for details in the 6 months prior to your intended year of MORE participation.

Offered each academic year:
Engineering 98/198: Gearing Up for Undergraduate Research Seminar
This course provides background or concurrent preparation for undergraduate engineering researchers. Topics: Research U.
culture; communication skills for lab, team and project success; safety; responsible conduct and ethical issues in research;
scientific and intellectual mentoring relationships; academic library resources; scientific research presentation skills.
Exposure to departmental research activities and options is offered through periodic laboratory and facility tours and
faculty/graduate student contacts. Coordinator: Donna Davies

Program Contact:
Donna E. Davies, M.A.
Director & Instructor
Gearing Up for Undergraduate Research Program
Engineering Deans Office, 1050 Kemper Hall
(530) 752-0592
dedavies@ucdavis.edu