Student Programs

What to Expect

By participation in the Hooked on Photonics program, you will:

Participating students will have the opportunity to work on research that has the potential to revolutionize the field of information technology. Because the Center is multidisciplinary, it offers research experiences in a variety of scientific disciplines including chemistry, physics, materials science and engineering, and optics.

Research projects within the Center's labs cover a broad range of topics, offering interested students a diverse choice of labs and research projects. Students can choose to work on the theory that drives the development of new molecules and materials to carry optical signals, or they may choose to work in laboratories where those materials are actually being developed. Other labs work on integrating these new materials into devices at both the nano- and macro-scale.

Follow these links for more information:

• List of faculty participating in the Summer 2008 program
• Student Project Abstracts 2007 [coming soon]
• Student Project Abstracts 2006 [pdf]
• Student Project Abstracts 2005 [pdf]
• Student Project Abstracts 2004 [pdf]
• "The Point" Interactive Educational Modules:
  Learn about the scientific concepts behind CMDITR research.

In addition to the work that REU students do in the lab, they also participate in workshops, seminars, social activities and field trips that provide them with increased networking and learning opportunities (not to mention fun). Some students may be eligible to receive academic credit and be provided with the opportunity to attend professional conferences to share their work and learn about that of others. All students that are accepted into the program are supported financially with competitive stipends. Capped grants are available to reimburse students for room, board and travel costs to the different institutions. Students who excel may be invited to continue their work past the summer or participate at a different institution.

By the end of the summer students are familiar with both the technical skills of performing research within the lab, and the social and cultural skills necessary to succeed in industry and academia. Students are generally exposed to a variety of research activities which may include literature search, experimental design, bench work and lab notebook management, mathematical modeling, instrumental characterization, computer/software control and analysis, machine shop skills, lab safety, as well as communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. Although each student’s experience differs according to host institution and research group, some general expectations are outlined below.

1. Students accepted into the program are expected to work in their designated laboratory for 40 hours per week to complete an academically appropriate research project designed in conjunction with their advisor. These projects are designed according to both the student’s interests and abilities as well as the real needs of the research group. By the end of the ten week session, students are expected to complete an abstract or summary of their work, a poster and a presentation. Other assignments may be required. See examples of previous student projects [pdf].

2. In an effort to provide a richer experience and contextualize the work performed within the lab, students will also be required to participate in a variety of activities outside the lab. These activities are designed to acculturate the student and contextualize the REU experience specifically within the field of photonics and more broadly within those of science and engineering. These activities may include technical content and career seminars, as well as tutorials and workshops designed to teach students how to effectively present scientific research.

Sample Schedule of Activities:

The Orientation will introduce students to the rationale behind research, general research procedures (as needed for each cohort), how to set realistic goals and expectations, and how to handle frustration and setbacks. Students are encouraged to meet frequently with their faculty and graduate/postdoctoral advisors, particularly in the early stages of the program, to precisely define their projects and review lab-specific safety protocols. Students’ project plans will be approved by their faculty advisors by the end of week two of the experience.

Throughout the summer, students may gather twice weekly for content and skill-set building seminars. Final reports (abstracts) will be due in the 9th or 10th week, at which time students may also be required to participate in a final symposium and present their work. These reports will be reviewed by the faculty advisors and may be bound in a 'journal' to be posted online, and distributed in hard copy to all REU participants.

Students are also invited to participate in a variety of social events and extra-curricular activities including MDITR sponsored lunches, field trips to local museums and baseball games.