9732305 Collins Fisk University will continue a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site in its Physics department. Undergraduate students will be recruited from regional institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and major institutions with physics programs, with a recruitment focus on African-Americans. Students will participate in research projects on the theme of "Materials Characterization Techniques", including surface studies of compound semiconductors, plasma modification of materials and non- linear optical glasses. In addition, REU participants will attend the National Conference of Undergraduate Research to present the results of their work %%% The REU site, with an emphasis on minority institutions, has potential impact on underrepresented sectors of the undergraduate student population in the sciences. ***