Training the next generation of creative, innovative and adaptive scientists and engineers: The NSF Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) Research Experience for Undergraduates

Abstract

Integrated chemical and biological processing systems that use biorenewable resources as feedstocks are critical to addressing the world's growing demand for carbon-based consumer products, and can make significant contributions to ensuring environmental sustainability. The United States National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (ERC)11Engineering Research Center (ERC). for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC)22Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC). provides educational programs that attract a diverse group of students into engineering fields to address the world's need to produce globally competitive college graduates capable of designing cost-competitive biorenewable chemicals. CBiRC provides a unique fusion of innovative interdisciplinary research and undergraduate educational opportunities through the CBiRC Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. The REU is an intensive ten-week summer program where students not only learn laboratory research skills, but are also immersed in the interdisciplinary academic environment of the ERC through workshops, seminars, research thrust meetings, and interactions with CBiRC professional staff. In this article, we describe a novel evaluation-supported model for an interdisciplinary undergraduate research program in the field of biorenewable chemicals engineering, which encourages undergraduates to build upon basic research skills to propose creative, innovative, and adaptable solutions to chemical engineering problems.