The University of Iowa has a two year REU site in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering. Students are matched with one of six faculty advisors that conduct research in an area most closely related to their interests. The individual projects are in research areas of expertise of the supervising REU faculty to ensure direct scientific interaction between the REU students and graduate students of each research group. A close student-faculty interaction will be developed during daily discussions about the progress of the particular project and other research related issues. In addition, weekly seminars on research-related issues and many social events will be held. The summer's program will conclude with an "in-house" research conference during which the REU students will present their research results. It is expected that significant guidance by the REU advisor will be necessary during the early stages of the research. All of these programs and activities are planned to achieve the goal of making underrepresented groups more aware of graduate research opportunities in chemical and biochemical engineering to increase the number of minorities and women pursuing advanced engineering degrees.
