(Invited) Fundamentals for Effective Research in Materials Science at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution

Over the past 15 years, Rowan University has strived to include hands-on experiences into the curriculum for science and engineering majors.  While it may seem that such efforts lead to increased faculty load and a concomitant reduction in scholarly work, proper integration of education and research is synergistic.    Consider that since 2001, more than 40 undergraduates have co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed papers with the speaker, and many more have worked on a variety of other projects.  The list of majors involved includes chemistry, engineering, physics, and even science education.   Not only can these opportunities boost the productivity of cutting-edge research, but they prepare students for success in graduate school or careers in industry and greatly enhance their chances for admission or hiring.  There are several important factors that are key to effective implementation.  These include flexibility in the curriculum, institutional support, interdisciplinary collaborations, summer programs, and institutional partnerships.  We will discuss each of these areas in detail and how each component is necessary for sustaining advanced research programs with students at undergraduate institutions.