Undergraduate research provides students the opportunity to take learning out of the classroom. Conducting research at Portland State University is a great way to get to know faculty, graduate students, and other undergraduates who share similar academic and career interests.
Know a curious, motivated undergrad looking for an exciting summer internship? The alternative Research Experience for Undergraduates (altREU) program is an online, immersive, and team-based experience focused on “designing, programming, and utilizing computers to benefit society.”
There are no tests, quizzes, lectures, or grades: at altREU, students drive their own research. Working in teams, they will design projects, make decisions, take risks, learn from mistakes, receive and act on feedback, discover solutions, and tell their story. altREU’s focus is to make science research accessible, flexible and beneficial for all undergraduate students interested in making a difference.
Led by Christof Teuscher, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, head of the Teuscher Lab, and one of this year’s RGS Faculty In Residence leaders, the altREU program has expanded to appeal to a broader spectrum of undergraduate and non-traditional students. Gone are typical REU program restrictions barring part-time students or non-US citizens from participating; altREU is open to all who meet the application criteria.
Additionally, this year students will be given greater flexibility to determine when and where they work, and will need to ‘bring a friend’ (or two) who will also apply to attend.
This program is an alternative, fully online and project-based experience that lets students come up with their own project that will have a direct impact on their communities. This isn’t a paid opportunity, but students will have the flexibility they need to be able to work a job, take classes or fulfill other obligations.
The 10-week program (June 21-Aug. 30) includes opportunities to:
- Find a project and stakeholders in student's communities
- Solve a real-world problem
- Build computational models
- Analyze, process and visualize information
Get more information on eligibility and application requirements.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2024
URISE
URISE (Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement) is a comprehensive NIH-funded research training program for undergraduates from backgrounds historically underrepresented in careers in biomedical, behavioral, social, clinical, and translational research. It is managed by the PSU Center for Internship, Mentoring, and Research (CIMR).
URISE is a two-year program that provides: a long-term research internship at OHSU; faculty mentoring: research skills workshops; professional development seminars; monthly stipend (~$1200/mo); 50% tuition remission; summer research travel and conference travel funding.
The goal of URISE is to prepare undergraduates for competitive applications to post-graduate opportunities and, ultimately, successful scientific careers.
Learn more about the program requirements and how to apply.
Application Deadline: February 26, 2024
Climate and Atmospheric Science Research Experience
Our Center for Climate and Aerosol Research hosts this site with research projects related to climate and atmospheric sciences, particularly atmospheric chemistry, physics, air quality, meteorology and climate change.
The 10-week program (June 20-Aug. 26) includes:
- Individual research projects alongside faculty mentors from fields as diverse as chemistry, geography, geology, mechanical engineering, biology, environmental science and physics
- $6,000 research stipend
- A weeklong training on instruments and techniques, a safety course, library seminar and a short course on Atmospheric Science
- On-campus housing
- Possible travel to conferences
- Final presentation to showcase your work
Get more information on eligibility and application requirements.
Application Deadline: March 18, 2022
Applications of Microscopy and Microanalysis in Multidisciplinary Research
This program allows students to engage in research work in a multidisciplinary environment while training them in microscopy and microanalysis techniques for materials characterization.
The 8-week program (June 20-Aug. 12) includes:
- Individual research projects alongside faculty mentors from fields as diverse as mechanical and materials engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology and physics
- $4,000 research stipend
- A weeklong training course and practical seminars throughout
- Field trip to visit several local high-tech companies such as Thermo Fisher Company, Intel and Nike In-House Manufacturing
- Final presentation to showcase your work
Get more information on eligibility and application requirements.
Application Deadline: April 15, 2022
Public Archaeology Field School at Ft. Vancouver National Historic Site
Join a team from PSU, Washington State University Vancouver and the National Park Service to explore one of the most important sites of colonialism in the Pacific Northwest, the 1844-1849 schoolhouses of the Hudson’s Bay Company. The site has never been archaeologically tested, and excavations will confirm the location of the schoolhouse structures, gathering material evidence of the people who inhabited them. You’ll get six undergraduate or graduate anthropology credits.
The field school (June 28-July 30) includes opportunities to:
- Become proficient in archaeological field techniques, including site identification, testing, and excavation
- Employ mobile information technology in a variety of field situations
- Work with experts in remote sensing including ground-penetrating radar (GPR) in workshops and lectures to integrate geophysical data into the exploration of past people through their belongings
- Explore the National Park Service’s National Register program and collect monitoring information through field trips to nearby National Historic Landmarks
- Acquire skills in laboratory processing of artifacts, basic artifact identification, and techniques of archaeological analysis
- Learn skills from NPS interpreters and public archaeology experts on how to engage with a diverse public
Application Deadline: May 1, 2022 (for early notification, apply by April 1)
Apply Now