University of Florida Chapter Mentors Undergraduate Students
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University of Florida Chapter Mentors Undergraduate Students “IfI Ihave have seen further, it is by “If seen further than others, it upon the of isstanding by standing upon theshoulders shoulders of giants.” giants.” —IsaacNewton Newton —Isaac In an academic field traditionally dominated by graduate students, the Materials Research Society’s University of Florida (UF) Chapter strives to encourage and facilitate the involvement of undergraduate students in the ever-changing world of materials research. Led by both graduate and undergraduate officers, the Chapter has a primary goal of exposing undergraduate students to research as we help them obtain laboratory positions and demonstrating, on multiple levels, what it means to be a scientific “researcher.” The University of Florida, currently home to the largest PhD program in materials in the United States (based on the University Materials Council survey in 2003), is expecting to produce more than 10% of the country’s total PhD graduates this year, approximately 42 students. However, the strength and involvement of the undergraduate population within materials research remains a primary directive. We feel that our University Chapter serves as a direct link between graduate and undergraduate materials students. Each year, our members help undergraduate students obtain positions as laboratory assistants as well as industrial internships and co-ops. We sponsor an annual kick-off ice cream social, introducing new and returning students to one another and faculty members. Here, we provide information on how students can get involved with different professional societies and be immersed within diverse areas of materials research. By supporting campus events such as the annual Engineering Fair, Engineering Day, and Engineering Week, our members interact with the academic engineering and research communities at large. Tours of Floridabased companies—such as Intersil Corporation, a semiconductor company based in Palm Bay—offer students the chance to assess which industries and employment positions are best suited for them. The development of annual projects, such as the organization of the departmental library or the implementation of a new student lounge, provides students with venues where they can emerge as task leaders and meet collective goals as a team. Since the University Chapter’s resurrection in spring 2001 after a few years of inactivity, almost two dozen of our under346
graduate members have attended and participated in MRS meetings. In order to cover travel expenses, we obtained funds from a variety of sources. Our members submit funding requests directly to the Benton Engineering Council, the executive and legislative coordinating body for the students in the College of Engineering, and the MS&E department at UF. We also utilize the travel reimbursements available through the MRS University Chapter Program, as well as hold various fundraising events. To generate funds for the 2004 MRS Spring Meeting in San Francisco, our members have desig
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