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Research Track

1)   Entrance into the track is open to sophomores during the fall.

2)   Students are required to have at least a 3.5 GPA, and departmental enrollment in this track will be limited to no more than 10%. Students must be in the top 10% in the department according to GPA at the time of application. Enrollment of the track is also contingent upon faculty interest and availability to take students as research assistants (students in the track). Faculty are not be compelled to participate in the program.

3)   Students in the track still have to take the capstone Senior Project sequence, which must include design. The Senior Project sequence must not be used to make progress toward the overall research project.

4)   For students, the sequence of the program is…

  1. Sophomore fall, find faculty sponsor, apply to the track, write proposal
  2. Sophomore early spring, admission into the track
  3. Summer, applicable REU or MUSE if granted (REU would be preferred)
  4. Junior fall, 0.5 CU on research
  5. Junior spring, 0.5 CU on research
  6. Summer, applicable REU or MUSE if granted (REU would be preferred)
  7. Senior fall, 0.5 CU on research
  8. Senior spring, 0.5 CU on research

5)   The total 2 CU on research accounts for the students technical electives requirements toward the degree.  The remaining electives must be ELC electives for both majors, electrical and computer. That is, Electrical Engineering majors cannot take ENG as electives, and Computer Engineering majors cannot take ENG or CSC as electives.

6)   Faculty sponsor will become the student academic advisor if they are not already.

7)   Students in the track need to commit and engage in an Independent Research Contract.

8)   Students, along with the faculty, are required to develop a detailed research plan for the program of study.

9)   Students taking 0.5 CU on research are expected to do research about 6 hours per week, produce interim research reports at the end of the semester, and present a poster during Student Achievement.

10)   A successful research program is one that culminates in the publication (by the student and the faculty) of at least one paper in a referred journal or professional conference (not an undergraduate student paper competition). This does not imply that a paper has been published, but the faculty must feel confident that enough research work has taken place, so that a paper can be published eventually based on the student’s work.

11)   The faculty and the student(s) are to commit to seek MUSE or School support during the summers after their sophomore and junior years.

Please direct curriculum questions to Dr. Anthony Deese at deesea@tcnj.edu

Research Track Application