The 2019 NSF REU Program in Data Science at WPI is now open for applications.

The Data Science Program at WPI, Worcester, MA, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, offers a 10-week, all expenses paid Research Experience in Data Science for undergraduate students. The WPI Data Science program has successfully operated the site since 2016. This site offers students from geographically diverse institutions around the country access to vibrant scientific research projects and undergraduate mentorship. The students, working with WPI faculty and peer students, learn state-of-the-art data science techniques and technologies including machine learning, artificial intelligence and big data technologies, and apply them to research focused on solving societal challenges high societal impact in our communities. Research topics include digital health, sustainability, and mobility, all interlinked concerns of critical national importance. Students present the results of their research at an Open Poster Session during the final week of the program, and, where appropriate, at scholarly venues and conferences.

Student Stipends, Travel, Housing, and Meals

• $5000.00 stipend over the 10-week program ($500/week)

• LEED Gold–certificated on-campus residence housing, paid for directly by the program
• Weekly meal allowance
• Up to $600.00 in travel expenses

Activities

The REU Program includes weekly group meetings, information exchange, training sessions for communication, technical presentations about data science research, research mentoring, information sessions for professional development, and progress reports by participants. Social activities are organized and planned by the students to take in the history, culture and great places to visit in the greater New England area. Professional networking events at partnering companies and organizations are also planned.

Program Requirements

REU students are expected to work a full 40-hour work week for ten weeks, toward completion of a research project. On the final day of the program, all research is placed on display during a Poster Presentation Symposium, which is attended by WPI faculty, guests and fellow students.

The REU research is broken up by relevant symposia which are offered in job searching, applying to graduate school, writing a resume, and interview skills. Students also have the opportunity to network with data science professional alumni and industrial partners. Students also enjoy field trips to our industry partners engaged in data science, including but not limited to: Google, MathWorks, Microsoft, MITRE Corporation, and National Grid.

Research Project Areas

REU students have the opportunity to work on a research project related to some of the areas listed below. In the application, students describe their research interests in detail, including any prior research experience. Application areas relate to smart and healthy communities including Public Health, Personalized Mobile Wellness, Sustainability, Mobility, Economic Prosperity, and Social Good. Technical areas include data analytics, machine and deep learning, statistical learning, data visualization, artificial intelligence, big data infrastructures, web technologies, natural language processing, and cloud and mobile computing.

Eligibility

The NSF requires that all REU student participants are United States Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents; there are NO EXCEPTIONS. While we prefer sophomores and juniors who have a distinct interest in research, all U.S. students as described above are eligible for the REU program. Those students who have succeeded in courses in programming, computer science, linear algebra, and statistics are of particular interest to our program. Women and underrepresented groups in STEM fields, as well as students from a community college who have transferred to a 4-year institution are encouraged.

Application Process

Students must fully complete the Online Application (below), and attach an unofficial transcript. We request two letters of recommendation, also submitted online via the Submit Faculty Recommendation button (below). The recommenders are preferably faculty members who know the student well and at the student's home institution or another university.
All application materials, including letters, should be submitted by the application deadline to receive full consideration.

REU COHORT 2017 PYRAMID SCHEMES       

REU students work hard and play hard, as can be seen by the pyramid scheme they configured in the Data Science lab with Ph.D. mentor Ermal Toto. In jumbled order on the bottom row are a Ph.D. mentor, Luke Pelegrin, Cole Polychronis and Sean Tucci. Next up is Christian Huacon with Tran Khang and Kate Finnerty. Next to the top...we have Noori Apoorva and Jennifer Ha supporting our little Courtney Burns as the crown on the castle! Sarah Brownell is our left spotter with Ph.D. mentor Ermal Toto spotting on the right. 

Industry Visits

Each year the WPI Data Science REU students visit Industry partners to experience the world beyond academic walls. We sincerely appreciate MathWorks in Natick, MA and Google in Cambridge, MA, National Grid in Waltham, MA and many others, who open their doors to these bright young students.

Students visit MathWorks, Google and Microsoft, whose amazing corporate offices inspire the undergrads to work toward further education so they too can experience working in such vibrant communities.

 and who doesn't love GOOGLE!