Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The Software Analysis and Compilation Research Laboratory has a long history of involving undergraduate CIS majors in research projects. As a beginning researcher, you will collaborate with Dr. Lori Pollock and one or more CIS graduate students who are actively investigating research problems.

As an undergraduate participating in a research project, you will

• work independently on a well-defined subproject of a larger research project
• meet regularly with Dr. Pollock and the research team to discuss progress, issues to be resolved, and directions for the next steps
• interact with the research team members on a daily basis to collaborate in problem solving
• learn how to use various scripting and programming languages, software tools, and software infrastructures inherently helpful in the project
• learn how to read and understand existing software to leverage and modify existing software for a research project
• learn about the research process, particularly research with a significant basis in experimental computer science
• gain a close up view of various aspects of graduate school
• build a mentoring relationship with graduate students and professor
• establish a valuable record of research experience, knowledge, and skills beyond the classroom experience, increasing your competitiveness for graduate school or post-bachelors employment

There are interesting projects for all levels, from first through senior years. Some possible ways to participate in a research project include

• Science and Engineering Scholars program through the undergraduate research office, during summer after sophomore year and junior year semester.

• Senior or Honors thesis
• Independent study credit
• Paid research assistant, depending on funding availability
• Volunteer researcher

Often a student starts in one of these roles and then changes to a different role, all while working on a research project with Dr. Pollock and a group of graduate and/or undergraduate student researchers.

To provide a strong, mentored research experience, undergraduate researchers focus on projects linked to current lab research projects.