Center for Undergraduate Research in Viterbi Engineering (CURVE) Fellowship

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Overview

The Center for Undergraduate Research in Viterbi Engineering (CURVE) Program provides a centralized resource for Viterbi undergraduate students to explore research opportunities early in their academic career. In partnership with faculty, CURVE facilitates the placement of Viterbi undergraduate students in research labs to gain hands-on experience on faculty-led projects.  CURVE fellows receive stipends and participate in professional development opportunities that prepare them as future leaders in engineering and computer science research.

Program Goals

  • Provide Early Exposure & Access to Research
    • Provide students with knowledge about research opportunities at Viterbi early in their academic career 
    • Create a pipeline of opportunities that allow students to grow as researchers throughout their undergraduate experience
  • Promote Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • Promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the undergraduate research experience
    • Support student researchers from historically underrepresented groups within STEM 
  • Build Student’s Capacity as Researchers 
    • Train students in technical knowledge and interpersonal skills required to become successful researchers  
    • Allow students to explore career pathways related to research, including preparation for science and engineering graduate programs
  • Foster a Community of Researchers
    • Facilitate mentoring relationships between undergraduate students and their research advisors, including graduate students and faculty
    • Support and train PhD students as mentors to undergraduates in their research experience. 
    • Establish monthly meetings and showcase opportunities so students can engage frequently with the broader research community.

Program Components

Guided Experience

Dedicated mentorship from faculty and PhD students

For fall and spring semesters, students commit an average of 7 hours a week dedicated to research. For the summer, students commit an average of 20 hours a week.

Research Stipend

Funding support throughout the academic year

A limited number of stipends are awarded in fall and spring semesters to first-time and continuing researchers. Continuing researchers can also apply for summer funding.

Community Support

Monthly meetings to support students' research journeys

First-time researchers engage in monthly professional development workshops. All CURVE fellows present their work at the Viterbi Undergraduate Symposium.

Eligibility

 

All CURVE applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: 

  • Be enrolled as full-time students (12 units minimum) for the semester in which they receive an award
  • Be declared a major in one of the degree programs in the Viterbi School of Engineering.
  • Students of any citizenship status are eligible to participate (however, please note that participation in certain research projects may require U.S. citizenship)
  • Demonstrated ability to commit required weekly hours to research 
  • For continuing researchers, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. 

Published on September 4th, 2020

Last updated on August 3rd, 2023