The nine week summer program at Clemson University is intended to provide a group of eight outstanding undergraduate students with perhaps the first opportunity to participate in highly individualized bioengineering research activities, in a typical university environment under direct supervision by four faculty members assisted by two experienced graduate students. The participants are selected from among applicants solicited from about 50 institutions which are primarily undergraduate colleges with 60-100% women and/or minority enrollment. Most of these institutions have limited access to research. Although the program is geared to undergraduate engineering students who may consider graduate training in bioengineering, exceptional students from other pertinent physical and biological science disciplines are encouraged to enroll in the program, as future bioengineers. The program is designed to provide the students with a step-wise scenario of a mini-research project. This will entail (a) having basic topical instructions pertinent to bioengineering; (b) hands- on exercise on literature search and outlining of plans for a research project; (c) exposure to general and specific laboratory techniques used in bioengineering research; (d) observing and taking part in the planned research activities, recognizing important aspects of being a team-member among research experimentalists, and making on-the-spot decisions in the laboratory environment; and (e) recording, analyzing, and presenting technical data, as well as making technical judgements on results with supported conclusions. In the classroom and laboratory, students will learn how to interact effectively with classmates, experienced graduates students and graduate research advisors at their respective levels.
