Program Introduction
The University of Maryland's Institute for Research in Electronics and
Applied Physics, with support from the National Science Foundation, is offering exciting research opportunities for
undergraduate students in the broad area of nonlinear dynamics. Students
from a variety of universities and backgrounds typically work in teams of
two or three for 10 weeks during the summer and are supervised jointly by
faculty members and graduate students. The program begins June 3 and ends August 9, 2013.
Research projects will be theoretical, experimental, or both. Examples of research topics are: experimental studies of nonlinear systems; magnetic reconnection and the dynamics of energetic particles; nonlinear dynamics in charged particle beam systems; nonlinear dynamics in optical systems; the dynamics of soft matter, granular matter, and biomaterials; theoretical and computational studies of chaos and nonlinear dynamics; the experimental study of nonlinear and chaotic microwave circuits; dynamics and control of motion coordination in groups; and dynamics of living cells.
A number of events will be sponsored during the summer to enhance the
learning experience, including a weekly seminar series on a wide range of
topics and a research fair at the end of the summer where the students
will present the results of their investigations.
Purpose of TREND
- Involve talented students in a diverse research program
- Introduce undergraduates to team-based and cross-disciplinary research
- Provide the opportunity to sharpen oral and written communication skills
- Help students prepare for graduate school and define career goals
- Help students prepare for research and teaching positions
throughout industry and academia
During the program, students develop their research
projects, attend technical seminars, visit local industry and government
organizations, and meet with leaders in the field. The summer program
culminates in the TREND Research Fair, a half-day program during which
student teams demonstrate their accomplishments and are evaluated by a
panel of experts. The top prize for the best paper competition will
normally be travel expenses to a suitable conference where the
students can present their research results.
TREND students receive up to $5,400 for the 10-week period. This includes a $4,800
stipend for their work in the summer, as well as $600 for incidental daily expenses. On-campus room and board in designated UMCP-owned and operated facilities is provided
(if the student resides outside the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area). Married student housing is not available.
TREND Projects 2013
The TREND projects that will be offered during the summer 2013 session are
listed below. Project names are linked to their respective descriptions.
Faculty members and project directors' names are linked to their home
pages where available. You are encouraged to contact the project directors directly, or Prof. Michelle Girvan (trend-reu@umd.edu), if you would like more information about a particular project.
Academic Credit
Students of the University of Maryland may receive up to 3 academic credits for their work during the summer. Students from institutions other than the University of Maryland may request transfer credit from home institutions subject to the constraints imposed by their degree program.
Qualifications and How to Apply
The TREND Program is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only. Students must be currently enrolled in a college or university and have an anticipated graduation date of December 2013 or later. The minimum preferred GPA is 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. (Motivated students without the recommended GPA may apply, but such applications will only be considered if special mitigating circumstances exist.) The following items must be submitted to the TREND Program: application form, essay, two letters of recommendation, and an official transcript. The application form and the essay form can be downloaded from http://www.ireap.umd.edu/TREND/forms.php. The application form, essay, and the letters of recommendation may be submitted electronically to trend-reu@umd.edu or mailed to Prof. Girvan at the address below. These materials may arrive separately. Official transcripts must be sent by the registrar of your university either electronically to trend-reu@umd.edu or to the following address:
Prof. Michelle Girvan
Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics
Bldg. 223, Paint Branch Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland 20742-3511
Regardless of the method chosen, the deadline for receipt of the completed application, essay, official transcript, and letters of recommendation is February 15, 2013. Applications received after the deadline will be considered only on a space-available basis.
For further information about the TREND Program, please contact Prof. Michelle Girvan at (301) 405-1610 or trend-reu@umd.edu.
TREND Fairs and Publications
2012,
2011,
2010,
2009,
2008,
2007,
2006,
2005,
2004,
2003,
Publications
