Research Opportunities

The Clark School of Engineering is a research powerhouse, with more than $107 million in annual research expenditures by leading investigators in seven departments and four institutes, more than 130 laboratories, 23 research centers, innovative programs for undergraduates, and active research relationships with major engineering firms, government labs and academic centers. See Resources and Facilities.

As of 2005, the Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center's graduate student Rotorcraft Team has won eight straight first place finishes in the Student Design Competition sponsored by the American Helicopter Society. Teams are challenged to create a vertical lift aircraft that meets specified requirements.

Opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students are numerous and diverse, with major research programs in (among many others): bioengineering; communications and networking; systems research; embedded computing; rotorcraft technology; launch and reentry vehicles; space robotics; intelligent transportation systems; advanced materials; nanotechnology; electronic packaging; and energy systems.

And, with the opening of the new Kim Engineering Building, we offer the latest in research and instructional laboratories, with a strong emphasis on the cross-disciplinary approaches needed to solve major engineering problems.

Special Undergraduate Research Programs
For undergrads, there is a wide array of special programs, including opportunities within departments and in:

• A Scholars Program for Industry-Oriented Research in Engineering (ASPIRE)
• Maryland Engineering Research Internship Teams Biosystems Internships for Engineers (MERIT BIEN)
• Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
• The Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics (IREAP)
• The Institute for Systems Research's (ISR) Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program (REU)
• Computer Security Scholars
• Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP)

Research by Department

• Aerospace Engineering
• Fischell Department of Bioengineering
• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Fire Protection Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Research by Major Institutes and Centers

• Maryland NanoCenter
• Center for Nano Manufacturing and Metrology
• Center for Intermodal Freight Transportation Mobility and Security
• Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics (IREAP)
• Institute for Systems Research (ISR)
• Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE)
• Center for Environmental Energy Engineering (CEEE)
• Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center
• Maryland Hybrid Networks Center (HyNet)
• Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (MTECH)
• Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel
• Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)