Information for Students

During the 2024-2025 academic year, the Program for Undergraduate REsearch in ECE (PURE-ECE) is being piloted to provide undergraduate ECE students with an opportunity to engage in year-long research activities within our academic disciplines. Through this exposure to research, students are expected to gain valuable research skills while fostering academic retention, building community, and exploring paths to graduate school.

How does PURE-ECE work?

• Research projects will be compiled by the ECE Undergraduate Advising Office and made available to ECE students the week of August 12, 2024.
• Interested ECE sophomore and junior level students submit the 2024-2025 PURE-ECE Student Application identifying their top projects of interest. Student applications are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, August 18, 2024.
• Research mentors interview and select student(s) from the applicant pool.
• Students selected by research mentors will register for 2 credits of EECS 399 during the fall and winter semesters, working on the project for an average of 8 hours per week, with guidance from research mentors. Students will receive a letter grade for their work in EECS 399.
• At the conclusion of the academic year in April, students participate in an Undergraduate Research Symposium and Poster Session sponsored by ECE.

Who is eligible to apply?
PURE-ECE is open to declared sophomores (24-54 credits) and juniors (55-84 credits) in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering.

How many hours per week are students expected to contribute?
Students are expected to work approximately an average of 8 hours per week on the project or about 240 hours over both terms, fall and winter. Specific hours will be arranged between the student researcher and the faculty mentor. Students are responsible for tuition and fees. In addition, students who are accepted to PURE-ECE are required to participate in the PURE-ECE Research Symposium in April 2025.

Who can students talk to if they have questions about this program?
Any staff member in the ECE Undergraduate Advising Office is equipped to guide students and answer high-level questions about this program. If you have specific questions about a research project listing, please contact the Faculty Mentor overseeing the project for more information.

What is the anticipated timeline for the 2024-2025 academic year?
Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 11:59pm – Student application closes
Late August 2024 – Students interview with research mentors and offers are extended
September 2024 – Students register for EECS 399 (2 cr)
January 2025 – Students register for EECS 399 (2 cr)
April 2025 – PURE-ECE Research Symposium takes place