Enriching the research experience for undergraduates (REUs) in biomedical engineering

Researchers in VaNTH - a National Science Foundation (NSF) consortium of schools with strong bioengineering departments, namely Vanderbilt, Northwestern, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology - have developed an enriched program for the undergraduates from other institutions who participate in their efforts through the NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs). Although the VaNTH REU program is designed primarily to involve these undergraduates in the VaNTH mission-the development of cutting edge curricular material for bioengineers that is based on research in the learning sciences about how bioengineers learn - the enriched program also helps students develop the core competencies necessary for professional success, such as problem analysis, team management, written and oral communication, and professional ethics. Students are mentored by professionals in ethics and communication, participate in special study groups, and complete a report and presentation based on their research. Preliminary evaluation of this enriched summer experience points to its success and suggests that the REU program is a good setting for preparing undergraduates to be more capable members of their profession.