The College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences hosted an inaugural undergraduate research presentation and dinner last night in the Rotunda Dome Room.
Undergraduate students who spent the entire summer on Grounds doing research on topics ranging from plant aging to the effects of fetal alcohol exposure were gathered to present their research results with other students, faculty and administrators.
The joint research presentations between the two schools will be held annually.
The dinner was "a celebratory evening for the event," Center for Undergraduate Excellence Director Nicole Hurd said.
The presentations included exhibits of different research projects. Around 20 students shared presentations and each had their research processes and results displayed on posters. Students stood by their exhibits as other students, faculty and administrators browsed each one individually.
Over the summer, the students had the chance to conduct research in a field that was of interest to them. The students met with faculty advisors once a week for eight weeks.
The project is open to all undergraduates in the College and Engineering School.
Students had the opportunity to experience the ins and outs of their fields of study in a setting other than the classroom.
Fourth-year College student Brenda Goguen, who conducted a research project in chemistry, said it was a great experience. She added that researching something that has not been tried out before and stepping out of the classroom into the real world of research were really exciting.
College Dean Edward L. Ayers said one of the hallmarks of the University is the collaboration among different schools. He said the project not only succeeded in giving undergraduate students the opportunity to do research, but also in forming an interaction between two schools which are generally seen as being very different from each other.
"This project required tackling problems belonging to two different schools and this process needed the expertise of faculty from both of them," Ayers said. "That is why I see it as the most exciting event this year, because the way these two schools came together to do something and did a great job with it is just great."
Many faculty and administrators said they are looking forward to the diverse research projects of next year from other eager undergraduate students.
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