Undergraduates
Campus wide, PERC is one of the few facilities, that offers, the opportunity to expose students in state-of-the-art research and instrumentation. Undergraduate students have a great opportunity to get involved in research projects, industry projects, exchange programs and foster a solid foundation for their future in graduate studies or in the industry.
- Paint Lab: The PERC continues to participate in the Freshman Introduction to Engineering Class. Over 1000 students have participated in the three-hour PS&T module, The Paint Lab at the PERC. By integrating PS&T into this COE class, the Center has significantly increased the number of students who are aware of PS&T opportunities.
- International Research Experience for Undergraduates Program: In 1997, the PERC participated in the first NSF-French REU program. This program was initially part of the UF Chemistry French REU program and began with one student exchange between the PERC and the University Du Maine in Le Mans, France. The program has since grown to an international program that includes the Ian Wark Institute, University of South Australia and Technische Universiteit Delft, The Netherlands.
- Industry-Student Partners in Research (INSPiRE) Program: In order to strengthen the link between PERC Industrial Partners and the undergraduate students, the INSPiRE program was established. An industry partner may propose a project suitable for undergraduate work. If accepted, the industry assigns a mentor to the project, and an PERC faculty member serves as the on-campus mentor for the undergraduate(s) who are selected to work on the project.
- Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program: Each Year, PERC offers undergraduate research scholarships to UF enrolled students from a wide variety of disciplines to conduct particle-related research with a faculty member and associated graduate student mentor. The scholarships are funded by the UF Provost’s office. PERC awards an average of 40 of these scholarships each semester ranging from $500 to $1,000.
- Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs): NSF and SEAGEP REU’s normally bring up to 15 undergraduate researchers to PERC each year. PERC normally sponsors up to 5 UF students to join the REU program as a program enhancement and to provide a more intensified research experience for selected PERC students.
- Service Center support for Undergraduate and REU education programs: The PERC Service Center does not charge equipment, technician or supply fees for pre-collegiate, undergraduate researchers or REU summer research programs.