Research Experience for Undergraduates on
Computational Data Analytics for Advancing Human Services

 

 

Program Dates: May 31, 2021 – Aug 6, 2021

Organizers: New Jersey Institute of Technology and Hofstra University

Sponsor: National Science Foundation

Site Directors: Prof. Zhi Wei and Prof. Lian Duan


Priority Application Deadline: April 2, 2021

Program Flyer


Previous Site Activity Highlights [Pictures]


Introduction

This REU Site at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is supported by NSF to provide undergraduate research experiences on big data and its interdisciplinary applications to impact societal outcomes.

Students participated in this project will be compensated with $6000 stipend during the ten-week summer REU program. (You are compensated instead of paying money to us because it is supported by NSF, i.e. your tax money.)

It is designed for: (1) the community college students who want to have some research experiences to be competitive when applying for an excellent 4-year college degree program, and (2) the 4-year college students who want to have some research experiences to be competitive when applying for an excellent Ph.D program.

Example Research Areas:

Migration and Environmental Cancer Risk Study, Adverse Drug Reaction Detection, Role of Feedback in Online Communities, Personalized Coupon in Super Markets, Technology and Psychological Well-being, Personalized Education System, Smart Transportation System.

Participant Benefits:

Eligibility:

    You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e., Green Card holders).

    You must be enrolled in a US college and have not received your degree bachelor's degree by this summer.

    Women and underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements:

Perform full-time research with the mentor for 10 weeks. Each participant cannot take any summer course or job during the period.

Write a research paper by the end of the program.

Present research outcomes at scholarly communities and national conferences.


Research Mentors:


Application:

Each applicant must submit the following materials:

* A copy of your passport or other necessary official document that can prove your U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Residency.

* A copy of your most recent transcript, covering all your college-level coursework, which may be unofficial, but must be issued by your school.

* Fill the Online Application Form.

* A copy of your most recent and detailed resume.

* Letters of Recommendation: at least two letters of recommendations by someone familiar with your abilities, interests and academic motivations.

* Statement of Interest: A one-page write-up indicating which which areas you would be interested in working on and a description of how such research fits your background and interests. You may indicate your interest in more than one research area and you may also describe other types of research that you would be interested in working on.

All application materials beside the application form need to be submitted via email to REUBigDataNJIT@gmail.com. We process all applications on a first-come-first-serve basis.


FAQs:

0. What is the impact of COVID19? 
Please know we take your safety quite seriously. Given the current pademic sitution, we plan to run the site virtually for the time being. We would love to have everyone on campus in person, but will only do so if it is deemed safe enough. If COVID precautions cause us to run the site virtually, we will still support our REU students financially.

1. I am an international student studying at a U.S. university. I am not a citizen and do not have a green card. Am I eligible for your program? 
Funding for the REU program comes from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), and as such is restricted to U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents (i.e., Green Card holders). If you are neither a citizen nor have a green card, we cannot provide funding.

2. If I am not eligible to receive NSF funding, can I participate if I pay my own way? 
Some REU programs may accept students who do not meet the criteria for NSF funding (e.g., because they are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents), if they provide their own funding (e.g., through a grant from their college). However, the NSF recommends against this practice, as any additional participant takes up some of the mentors' time and effort and thereby reduces the amount of time and attention available to NSF-funded participants. We intend to follow the NSF recommendation in this regard.

3. I am a senior and will graduate in May. Am I still eligible for your program? 
No. The program is targeted at undergraduates (the "U" in REU). According to NSF rules, students who have received their bachelor's degree by the time of the program are ineligible.

4. I am a high school student, but will start college in this Fall. Am I eligible for your program? 
Yes. According to NSF rules, high school graduates who have been accepted at an undergraduate institution for the coming academic year are eligible.

5. I am only a freshman. Do I stand a chance? 
Possibly. While most participants will be at the sophomore or junior  level, "official" designations like freshman, sophomore, etc., matter much less than a student's mathematical maturity and ability, as evidenced, for example, by the courses taken and grades earned, by awards and honors received, etc., and attested to in letters of recommendations. For example, a freshman taking graduate level courses, or a student still in high school taking upper level undergraduate courses, could very well beat out most more "senior" applicants.

6. Can I take a part-time job in the summer while I am participating in the REU program? 
No. Participating in an REU is a full-time job.

7. Can I take summer classes while participating in the REU? 
Normally not, though exceptions may be made in special circumstances.

8. I'd like to attend my sister's wedding in California on July 10, and as a result may miss a day or two of the program. Will this be a problem? 
In general, participants are expected to be engaged during the full period of the REU program. That said, a one or two day absence should not be a problem if coordinated in advance with the Program Director.