EXPERT: EXperimental Program for Education in Research and Training
Department of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering
North Carolina A&T State University
Greensboro, NC

News & Announcements | Quick Facts | Program Overview | Objectives | Contact

News & Announcements!

AUGUST 2005:
EXPERT began Fall 2004 and recently completed its first academic year.  Twenty-two students were provided scholarships through CERSP: 8 freshman, 9 sophomores, 3 juniors, and 2 seniors of which 8 were female and 20 were African American.  The success of EXPERT has been utilized by the College of Engineering and Chemical Engineering program at NC A&T as a recruiting tool for Fall 2005.

To Students: CERSP and the Chemical Engineering program at NC A&T would like to congratulate you on an exceptional academic 2004-2005 year as an EXPERT student.  As you are aware, the  goal of EXPERT is to provide you with enhanced educational and development opportunities through research, workshops, seminars, and mentoring.  It is important that the program reflect these goals while catering specifically to the needs and interests of you and your fellow students.  Based on your evaluations and the first year’s experiences, we plan on adapting and improving EXPERT to better prepare you for graduate school and beyond.

QUICK FACTS:

1. WHAT?  EXPERT is an undergraduate research and development program sponsored by CERSP and North Carolina A&T State University.  Incoming freshman majoring in science or engineering are recruited as graduate track scholars and remain in EXPERT until graduation.  All EXPERT students receive research awards (scholarships). 
    

2. WHY?  EXPERT provides an enhanced educational experience by combining research exposure, leadership & communication training, collaborative interactions, and both faculty and student mentoring.  A primary goal is to increase the number of undergraduate students pursuing graduate degrees.
    

3. HOW?  EXPERT students meet roughly 6-8 times per semester to take part in (for example) research seminars and training, job searching and graduate school workshops, and field trips.  Summer internship opportunities are provided to students in both academia and industry.  Students begin research their junior year with a faculty advisor at NC A&T SU.
    

4. WHO?  EXPERT recruits incoming freshman at NC A&T SU majoring in science or engineering.  While the program specifically focuses on chemical engineering, additional majors may include (but are not limited to) chemistry, physics, mechanical engineering, and mathematics.  Students who maintain good academic standing and regularly participate in EXPERT will remain in the program until graduation.

FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND COUNSELORS:  Please contact Dr. Geoff Bothun if you are interested in EXPERT and would like more information.  The “Downloads” listed above contain related information in PDF format, including our meeting calendars.  Teachers and counselors are welcome to disseminate this information to students as they deem fit.  NOTE:  Entering freshman must have a GPA > 3.3 and SAT score > 1000 to be considered.

PARTICIPATION AND DEADLINES:  Freshman are recruited each academic year.  Students who are selected will receive a scholarship invitation letter early in the spring semester (January-February).  To be considered for EXPERT you must complete an application for NC A&T SU.  You are welcome to contact Dr. Bothun if you have completed an application and are interested in EXPERT.
 

The EXperimental Program for Education through Research & Training (EXPERT) is a multiyear, multidisciplinary undergraduate research and development program offered through the Mechanical & Chemical Engineering Department at NC A&T SU (www.ncat.edu), a prominent historically black university.  Focusing on green chemistry and engineering, this program aims to:

•       Improve the research experience for undergraduates

•       Enhance the skills of future scientists and engineers, and

•       Promote diversity in science and technology. 

A primary goal is to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups seeking graduate education in science and engineering.

EXPERT receives support and funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Science and Technology Center for Environmentally Responsible Solvents and processes (CERSP).  This center is the world’s premier center for research and educational programs on the beneficial uses of CO₂ as an alternative solvent in chemical and manufacturing processes.  CERSP is a collaborative effort between the following universities: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (lead institute), North Carolina State university, North Carolina A&T State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Texas-Austin.  NC A&T currently has four chemical engineering professors, a postdoctoral research associate, and a number of graduate and undergraduate students actively participating in research, education, and K-12 outreach projects.  Undergraduate EXPERT researchers work with CERSP to promote green technologies utilizing liquid and supercritical CO₂.

This project is also supported by the pilot NSF Discovery Corps Fellowship program, which provides research, education, and professional service through projects that address national needs

The objective of EXPERT is to prepare undergraduates for successful careers in science and technology by addressing specific areas of national need:

1.       Diversity – Formalized interdisciplinary multi-year mentoring and recruiting program aimed at increasing the number of underrepresented students in science and technology. Focus given to increasing graduate school enrollment, specifically Ph.D. programs.

2.       Sustainability – Interactive and collaborative undergraduate research and development program promotes environmentally friendly or “green” processes in technology and manufacturing, consistent with the focus of CERSP.

3.       Training – Personal and professional development program to enhance technical skills and prepare students for successful careers in academia and industry.

4.       Community outreach/education – In-class demonstrations by EXPERT students designed to excite and inspire K-12 students, improve scientific literacy and communication, and convey the urgency of sustainability.

5.       Research capability – Research at NC A&T and CERSP will be substantially enhanced as students contribute at the fundamental level to cutting-edge projects.

EXPERT is comprised of freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors in science or engineering. Students from engineering, chemistry, and physics are invited to participate.  The program is designed to educate and support qualified incoming freshman from the time at which start at A&T to graduation.  A brief description of each year is provided below.

Freshman Year:  Incoming freshman are invited to participate based on their high school performance and potential as “graduate track scholars.”  These students will be exposed to opportunities for scientists/engineers in science and technology.  Primary focus will be on personal and professional development programs.

Sophomore Year:  Freshman retention within the program is critical; however, rising sophomores who have performed well in freshman course work and have shown an interest in graduate school may be also be invited to participate.  These students will provide mentoring to freshman and continue to participate in personal and professional development programs.  Interested students will be presented with summer internship opportunities.

Junior/Senior Year:  Juniors will begin conducting research related to CERSP projects with faculty mentors in chemical engineering.  Seniors will continue their research until graduation.  Upperclassmen will mentor younger students and participate in K-12 community outreach. Guidance will be given for graduate school preparation and application (fees to CERSP affiliates paid by EXPERT).  Summer support will be provided for students performing research at participating universities.

Please contact Dr. Jemima Ingle for more information:

North Carolina A&T State University
Mechanical & Chemical Engineering
618 McNair Hall
Greensboro, NC 27411
336-334-7620 x332
Jemima_Ingle@baylor.edu

this page last updated: December 20, 2007