In 1998, I started a new initiative in the College of Computing to encourage undergraduates to do research: the Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Computing (UROC) Program. It is modelled after MIT's UROP program. As a graduate student at MIT, I was impressed both by the meaningful contribution undergraduate research assistants were able to make, and by the ways their participation enhanded their educational experience. This approach to learning also fits well with the approach that underlies my research. In educational terms, research is project-based learning and "legitimate peripheral participation."
UROC currently engages in these activities:
- Orientation
Each fall, a UROC representative speaks to incoming freshman about the value of doing research, and distributes job-hunting information. - Fall Job Fair
Early in fall semester, UROC holds an annual job fair. Faculty come to talk about the jobs they have available, for both pay and credit. - Job Database
UROC maintains a database of research jobs available. - Funding Opportunities
UROC tries to keep faculty and students aware of opportunities for funding undergraduate research. For example, if a faculty member has an NSF grant, is a relatively easy for them to apply for a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Supplement. - Travel Funds
If an undergraduate gets a paper accepted at a conference, UROC will try to provide matching funds to help the student be able to attend. - Spring Research Symposium
Each spring, students have an opportunity to show off research they have done in the annual UROC Research Symposium. Students do demos and put up posters showing their work. A panel of faculty judges choses winners, and a separate set of winners are picked by popular vote. The College of Computing community is invited. In 2003, attendees ate 100 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts!
Georgia Tech alumni have started programs modelled after UROC:
You can access the official UROC website.
