Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Team via Independent Study Courses
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Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Team via Independent Study Courses Kyle G. Gipson1 1 Department of Engineering, James Madison University, MSC 4113, 801 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, U. S. A. ABSTRACT Undergraduate students from Engineering, Physics, Geology & Chemistry come together to form multidisciplinary teams as part of an undergraduate research opportunity through a sequence of independent study classes within the Department of Engineering at James Madison University. The undergraduate research groups typically contain students from freshman to senior years, totaling approximately three to eight students per academic year per group. One of the primary objectives is to provide a high-level research experience for undergraduates in a nurturing environment within the academic year. Peer-mentoring is integral piece to the team dynamics. The course sequence that facilitates the research opportunity is constructed in order for students to produce research that can be applied to obtaining a minor in Materials Science. Methodologies employed in the course range from problem-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and collaborative efforts with outside entities. The course objectives are geared towards developing critical & creative thinking, technical writing and oral communication skills through the development of planned action & experiments with data analysis as well as submitting findings to be presented at regional and national conferences. INTRODUCTION The Department of Engineering (Madison Engineering) is a non-discipline specific engineering program at James Madison University (a state funded university) in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA. The Center for Materials Science at James Madison University is a multidisciplinary initiative of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering (CISE) and the College of Science and Mathematics. The Center functions as a resource to integrate undergraduate education with basic and applied research in order to supply students with opportunities to develop broad multidisciplinary skills and knowledge in materials science. Madison Engineering is designed to be a progressive program unrestricted by the boundaries of traditional engineering disciplines. The “spine” of the engineering curriculum is the engineering design sequence. The “heart” of the program is offering students opportunities to become aware of the greater world and issues around us, to develop problem solving skills, and to exercise the skills required to integrate information for producing viable sustainable solutions through being ethical and empathic leaders of positive change. BACKGROUND Summer research experiences for undergraduates have been offered at James Madison University through the National Science Foundation funded grant (NSF REU Grant - CHE1062629) which ended the summer of 2013. The research experience was a collaboration between the Departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Physics & Astronomy, Engineering,
Biology, Geology & Environmental Science, Integrated Science & Technolog
