Training Activities: Faculty-Mentored Research (~15 research hours per week during the semester), Professional Conference Travel, GRE Preparation, Colloquium, Seminar, Summer Research Internship, etc.

Fall Semester: 1-unit research seminar (UNIV 296) to learn about research methods, research ethics, research-focused field trips and tours, cutting-edge research, skill-building topics, etc.

Spring Semester: student conduct research or creative work with a faculty member and present their research at the CSULB Undergraduate Research Symposium. Advanced research seminar (UNIV 297) that focuses on supporting successful research placement, career exploration, and major preparation and success.

Funding for students who participate in UROP consists of $16.50 per hour for 8-12 hours/week during Fall 2022 & Spring 2023.

The AIChE Chem-E-Car Competition is a hands-on chemical engineering design competition organized by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Student teams design and build a small, chemically powered car that must travel a specified distance and stop as close as possible to a target without the use of mechanical or electronic control systems. The competition emphasizes chemical reaction engineering, process control through chemistry, safety analysis, teamwork, and communication skills. Teams compete at regional conferences, with top-performing teams advancing to the national AIChE Annual Student Conference. Participation in Chem-E-Car provides students with valuable experience in experimental design, fabrication, testing, and real-world engineering problem solving, while fostering leadership and collaboration in a competitive yet supportive environment. 

More information about the Chem-E-Car Competition can be found on the AIChE website or through the CSULB AIChE Student Chapter. 

In addition to Chem-E-Car, students may also participate in ChemE Cube, a hands-on student design and problem-solving competition that promotes creativity, collaboration, and practical engineering skills. Through these activities, undergraduate students gain valuable experience in experimental design, fabrication, data analysis, and technical communication while preparing for regional and national AIChE competitions.