As a college student, you often hear that the future is full
of exciting opportunities. Here at Purdue University, we wonder:
Why should you wait until then?
Become part of a world-class laboratory group conducting
exciting research this summer! You can begin using cutting-edge
technology and some of the most advanced laboratory equipment
in the country. You can be part of the team that pushes the
outer limits of knowledge in your field. After all, that’s
what we do every day. Come join us!
Why should I participate in an Undergraduate Summer
Research Program?
If you’re considering graduate study, participating
in an undergraduate summer research program gives you the
added edge needed to successfully apply to and complete graduate
school. Purdue University offers a wide variety of summer
research programs to match your abilities and interests. Many
of these programs offer the opportunity to:
conduct your own research in a modern laboratory
learn from a faculty mentor
network with graduate students and scientists in your
field
improve your research skills
determine if graduate school is right for you
enhance your writing and presentation skills
attend scientific conferences or meetings
attend graduate school seminars, training sessions, and
GRE prep classes
participate in social activities with other students and
your lab group
In addition, many programs provide a stipend (i.e.,
pay) and/or undergraduate credit, PLUS housing, travel,
and food allowances. Details vary by program; be sure to visit
the program’s Web site or contact the program coordinator
for more information.
Application deadlines and eligibility also vary by
program, so be sure to review the program’s
Web site or contact its coordinator for more information.
Please note that while opportunities are listed by
major subject, some programs do not require participants to
be majoring in that field. Refer to the individual
programs for details.
Purdue University Dept. of Chemistry
560 Oval Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Eligibility: Undergraduate student; research
experience helpful, but not required; available during academic
year
Funding: Contact program for details Keywords: Science education, undergraduate
teaching & learning, academic year
Become part of a multi-institutional collaborative effort
designed to increase and improve classroom research experiences
for younger undergraduate science students. Help develop,
test, and refine new laboratory experiments that will become
CASPiE modules. Gain an understanding of pedagogy and educational
best practices, and contribute to the development of a new
method for undergraduate teaching and learning. CASPiE
is affiliated with the Discovery
Park Undergraduate Research Internship Program (DURI),
although students do not have to be DURI interns to work with
CASPiE.
CIC SROP
1819 South Neil Street
Suite D
Champaign, IL 61820-7271
Eligibility: Any undergraduate student Funding: Yes Keywords: All fields available
Choose an area of interest and be matched with one of the
top researchers in your field. Work one-on-one with faculty
mentors, develop a paper describing your project, and present
your results at a campus symposium. Seminars, workshops, and
social gatherings will help prepare you for advanced study.
The goal of the
program is to increase the number of underrepresented
students who pursue academic careers. The Committee on Institutional
Cooperation, established in 1958, is the academic consortium
of 12 major teaching and research universities in the Midwest,
including Purdue University. Purdue hosts 40-50 multicultural
students each summer through the Purdue Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP), providing them with a stipend
in addition to a dual-occupancy apartment, travel expenses,
and health insurance.
Purdue University
Discovery Learning Center
Burton Morgan Center Room 246
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Eligibility: Purdue sophomore, junior, or
senior; minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0; available during the academic
year and summer session (limited space in summer)
Funding: Undergraduate credit (academic year only) and scholarship Keywords: Interdisciplinary research, Discovery
Park, academic year
Experience the excitement, challenge, and power of truly
interdisciplinary research in the fast-paced, entrepreneurial
environment of Purdue's Discovery Park. Work closely with
faculty on cutting edge research that combines two or more
disciplinary strengths (such as nanoscience and bioscience,
or perhaps information technology, business, and communications).
Applications accepted every semester. A list of available internship opportunities and the on-line application are posted
on the Web
site.
Purdue University Interns for Indiana
Burton D. Morgan Center, 246
1201 West State Street,
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Eligibility: Purdue students with at least
a junior standing, all majors, minimum GPA of 2.8/4.0
Funding: Stipend/Undergraduate credit available Keywords: Business skills, entrepreneurship,
many companies available
Explore a wide variety of fields and learn about the business
world through both education and experience. Through a seminar
series and other activities, students will explore entrepreneurial
issues and skills, have opportunities to network and develop
as a community, and earn an academic credit each semester.
Participating students will be eligible for placement in a
paid internship with a start-up company. Internships are not
required, nor are they guaranteed.
Purdue University
The Graduate School
Attn: Purdue SROP
Ernest C. Young Hall 170
302 Wood Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2108
Eligibility:
Completed sophomore year (but
not graduated) by June and considering future graduate study.
Students from social and economic backgrounds that are underrepresented
in research careers, including McNair Scholars, are encouraged
to apply.
Funding: Yes Keywords: Most fields available
Pursue research in one of Purdue’s 70+ programs. As
an incoming participant, you will be matched with a faculty
mentor in your area of interest, and you will undergo an intensive
research experience. The program includes a GRE workshop,
career seminars, participation in a Midwest summer research
opportunities program conference, presentation of posters
and oral reports, social activities on weekends, and a closing
banquet. Be sure to also check out the partner programs, including
the Purdue Cancer Center Summer Research
Program.
The goal of the
Purdue Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is to enhance diversity in academic,
government, and industry positions that require graduate degrees.
All qualified students, including but not limited to, African
American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American,
are encouraged to apply.
Program Coordinator
Email:
Phone: 765-496-7967
Or, contact your program of interest.
Eligibility: Incoming Purdue graduate student
in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or agricultural
science fields
Funding: Yes Keywords: Accepted students; science, technology, and
engineering fields
Participate in a summer research experience with your department,
polish math and computer skills, and network with your peers.
This summer experience will prepare you for the upcoming year
at Purdue University by providing professional development
opportunities that will assist you throughout your academic
programs. This bridge program is for all qualified students,
including but not limited to, underrepresented multicultural
students on a path toward success in Purdue’s graduate
programs. Come take advantage of this opportunity for mentoring
with current Purdue graduate students and faculty.
Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering, Room 2001
Purdue University
701 W. Stadium Ave.
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2045
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled at US institutions in engineering, science, and technology
Funded: Stipend Keywords: SURF, Engineering, Science, Research
Students conduct research activities during the summer under the guidance of a Purdue faculty member and a graduate student mentor. This is an opportunity to learn exciting new skills in cutting-edge research fields, and to become familiar with modern and traditional research tools.
Besides conducting research full time for 11 weeks, students attend professional development activities and social events, and present their research at the SURF Research Symposium.
Through independent research opportunities, undergraduates gain useful exposure to the field of biomedical engineering.
Interested Purdue students are encouraged to visit the biomedical engineering Web site (https://engineering.purdue.edu/BME/), to investigate individual faculty research pages to identify research projects of interest to them, and to contact the faculty members directly about undergraduate research opportunities throughout the year.
Students from universities outside Purdue who are interested in a summer undergraduate research experience with the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering are encouraged to investigate this program for possible future graduate studies with us. Contact Dr. Jennifer Groh, Graduate Program Coordinator for the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering (jgroh@purdue.edu; 765-494-2982), to learn how to identify an appropriate research advisor in biomedical engineering for the Summer Undergraduate Research (SURF) program. Participants in SURF receive financial support from the College of Engineering and the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering for the summer program. Please also visit the SURF Web site for general information and application materials.
The DAACI program offers research opportunities for undergraduate
students with an interest in engineered interfaces and interfacial
processes in catalysis, fuel cells, biosensors, microelectronics,
biomaterials, polymer and polymer composites, nanostructures,
gas-liquid interfaces, self assembled thin films, drug delivery,
and buried interfaces.
Purdue University Civil Engineering
550 Stadium Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2051
Eligibility: U.S. undergraduate student
with an interest in transportation Funding: Yes Keywords: Civil engineering, computer and
electrical engineering, transportation
Undergo a competitive selection process to participate in
the 10-week Joint Transportation Research Program. If selected,
you will participate in research covering almost all disciplines
of civil engineering, including related areas such as computer
and electrical engineering. You will have the opportunity
to attend seminars and field visits. At the conclusion of
the
program, you will write a report on your experiences.
Materials science examines the processing, structure, and properties of materials.
The products of material science research impact every branch of engineering.
In two independent research opportunities, interested undergraduates gain useful
exposure to the field of materials science and engineering. In the first,
undergraduate students participate in a research intensive course (listed as MSE 499)
for credit. Interested students are encouraged to visit the MSE website,
investigate individual faculty research pages for possible topics, and contact
the professors directly about opportunities. Instructions for gaining approval
for an independent research topic are found in the materials science undergraduate manual.
The School of Materials Engineering also actively participates in the Summer
Undergraduate Research Program or SURF program conducted through the Engineering
Administration. Please visit the SURF website for more information.
Come make tomorrow’s discoveries! This program is designed
for the serious undergraduate student interested in graduate
school who wishes to capture the excitement of research in
the plant sciences. The department is offering a limited number
of 8-week summer internships in plant biology, plant pathology,
or weed science. Students will gain experience in conducting
research by working on ongoing projects with research faculty,
post-doctoral scholars, and graduate students. Special programs
will be offered related to laboratory safety, graduate education,
and career opportunities. For more information, visit our Web site.
Eligibility: Open to Purdue Students, including non-majors
Funding:
Undergraduate credit through ENTM 498. Limited opportunities for funded employment. It is Department Policy that students may not receive academic credit for paid employment.
Keywords: Entomology, Molecular Biology, Field Ecology, Pest Management
The Department of Entomology has two avenues available for research.
Research for course credit is available for Purdue Students (including non-majors)
under ENTM 498, in Summer, Fall and Spring Semesters. Undergraduate research
projects are mentored by individual faculty members in the areas of molecular biology,
field ecology and pest management, insect behavior, urban and industrial pests and genetics.
A list of faculty and areas of research interest are found on the Entomology web site.
Students must have pre-approval from a faculty mentor and should agree on the scope and expectations of the research prior to enrollment.
Opportunities are available to compete for undergraduate research awards regionally and nationally. Our students have a record of success.
Additionally, limited opportunities for undergraduate employment as part of field
and laboratory research programs are available. Students should submit a brief statement
of their area of research interest and include their employment and academic background (no more than 1 page).
Students seeking employment will be notified as opportunities become available.
Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Purdue University
625 Agriculture Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Eligibility: U.S. resident with 2 years of college level study in the life sciences; minimum GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0)
Funding: Yes Keywords: Plant biology, plant biochemistry, molecular biology, nutrition and health
Do you think you might like a career in research or go to graduate school? The best way to find out is to do a summer research internship. Every summer, we invite undergraduates to join a lab in our department and find out what it is like to do research at a major research university. We have a variety of projects that range from basic research in biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology to applied research including horticultural market research and field trials in horticultural crops. Students become a real member of the lab they work in and are guided by a faculty mentor assisted by postdoctoral researchers or senior graduate students. We make a particular effort to provide students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with cutting edge technologies such as spectral scanning confocal microscopy, mass spectroscopy, high throughput DNA sequencing, gene chip transcriptomic profiling, and proteomic technologies. The Purdue Horticulture Department is also the home of one of the most advanced ionomics facilities in the world. Summer researchers will learn how to plan and perform experiments, record their experimental results, and prepare data for publication. At the end of the program, students will also present their work in a short talk - just like the short talks grad students and post-docs present at national and international scientific meetings. The summer internship program is tailored to each person's research interests and can last from 4 to 8 weeks. Participants receive a stipend based on the amount of time spent with the program. Travel costs are also covered for student participants from institutions other than Purdue. Purdue students can choose to receive course credit; students from other institutions need to arrange course credit with their counselors at their home institution.
Eligibility: Biology, chemistry, chemical engineering or pharmacy majors in their second or third year of study
Funding: Yes Keywords: Biology, Chemical Biology, Drug Discovery and Design, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Systems Biology
These fellowships are intended for students who have a serious interest
in research and a desire to explore a research environment in more depth
so that an informed career choice will be possible. Research laboratory
assignments will be negotiated with each fellow, and will take into account
the fellow's research interests and the availability of faculty mentors.
For more information, visit our Web site.
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
575 Stadium Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2091
Eligibility: Undergraduates who have conducted
research during the academic year Funding: Yes Keywords: Pharmacy, Medicine, Research Career, Drug Discovery, Pharmaceutics, Clinical Pharmacy
The Dean's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program focuses on undergraduate students from both Purdue and other institutions who express a serious interest in a research career. Students who have carried out research for credit during the academic year can apply for summer fellowships to work with faculty in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences for a 10-week period over the summer. Opportunities are available from three departments within the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences: Pharmacy Practice, Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, and Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology. A stipend of at least $4,000 is available, and in some cases, a housing allowance is also offered.
Eligibility: Completed sophomore year (but
not graduated) by June and considering future graduate study.
Students from social and economic backgrounds that are underrepresented
in research careers, including McNair Scholars, are encouraged
to apply.
Funding: Yes Keywords: Cancer research, SROP
In association with the Purdue Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)
program, the Purdue Cancer
Center (PCC)
offers
a summer undergraduate program for students
interested in cancer research. The goal of the program is
to enhance diversity in academic, government, and industry
programs that focus on cancer research. Students conduct research
in the laboratories of Cancer Center members and participate
in seminars by clinical oncologists who treat patients with
cancer. Students interested in this program should
apply through the Purdue Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) site and indicate an interest in cancer research
on the application. All qualified students, including but
not limited to, African American, Asian American, Hispanic
American, and Native American, are encouraged to apply.
Dr. John F. Van Vleet
Email: vanvleet@purdue.edu
Phone: 765-494-9185
Fax: 765-496-1261
Dr. Harm HogenEsch
Email: hogenesch@purdue.edu
Phone: 765-496-3467
Fax: 765-496-1261
Eligibility: Undergraduate student majoring in preveterinary medicine.
Funding: Yes
Keywords: Student will be paired with a faculty member in the School of Veterinary Medicine with an active research program
Summer Research Fellows spend twelve weeks in a research
experience in veterinary and/or comparative medicine. Each
student will complete a mini-project leading to a written
report and a poster highlighting their research and will
participate in a weekly seminar program along with veterinary
students participating in the Summer Research Program.
Visit the program Web site for more information.
Janice Thomaz
Computer Sciences Undergraduate Research Coordinator
Email: thomaz@cs.purdue.edu
Eligibility: Undergraduates in computer science or computer engineering, including non-Purdue students. Funding: Undergraduate credit or pay may
be possible Keywords: Computer sciences
Become part of a working research team! Faculty in Purdue’s
Computer Sciences program often hire undergraduates to assist
them with various research projects over the summer. These
projects and their compensation vary between labs. Available
projects will be posted to the Web
site.
Department of Physics
525 Northwestern Avenue
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2036
Eligibility: U.S. citizen/permanent resident Funding: Yes Keywords: Physics
Participate in a forefront research project this summer!
Highlights of this Research
Experience for Undergraduates include: a research project,
a stipend, weekly seminars, social programs, student presentations
and research symposium, conferences, and ongoing research.
In accordance with Purdue policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University's educational programs, services and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a disabled or status as a veteran. For a more complete statement of Purdue's policies of equal access and equal opportunity, CLICK HERE. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Human Relations at vphr@purdue.edu or 765-494-5830.