TCD Summer Undergraduate Research Experience

Posted on: 25 September 2006

The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) programme has just completed welcoming 20 undergraduates from both Ireland and abroad. The students completed an  11- week programme, undertaking innovative research projects in the areas of physics, chemistry and electronic and electrical engineering.

Sponsored by Science Foundation Ireland as part of the UREKA Site initiative, SURE offers talented science and engineering undergraduates the opportunity to work in laboratory environments whilst also attaining life long skills that will carry them through their careers in research and industry. Participating researchers are also provided with the opportunity to identify talented young students for  further study and contribution to their research groups.

Speaking at the SURE 2006 Poster Symposium in August, Trinity College’s Dean of Graduate Studies Professor, Patrick Prendergast, commented that:
“The excitement of research has to be experienced first hand, and the SURE programme is an excellent vehicle for undergraduate students to gain exposure not only to cutting edge research, and also to the real life of the researcher.”

In 2006 the programme developed to include a new international student exchange placement with two leading US universities and their Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU’ programmes; the University of California, Santa Barbara and Columbia University New York. This exchange offered TCD students the opportunity to experience research in a new and stimulating academic environment.

Projects in 2006 included challenging research topics in advanced materials including nanotechnology, spin electronics, synthesis of new nano-chemicals and soft disordered materials. As a result of three of these research projects SURE is delighted to report that two students from SURE 2006 and one from SURE 2005 have made submissions to International Scientific Journals which will result in publications shortly.

Further information on the programme is available at: www.sure.tcd.ie