PROJECT LIST
African American Studies (AAS)
Anthropology (ANT)
Biology (BIO)
Chemistry (CHE)
Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD)
Earth Sciences (GOL)
Economics (ECN)
English/Textual Studies (ENG/ETS)
Fine Arts (FIA)
Geography (GEO)
History (HST)
Languages, Literatures and Linguistics (LLL)
Math (MAT)
Philosophy (PHI)
Physics (PHY)
Political Science (PSC)
Psychology (PSY)
Religion (REL)
Sociology (SOC)
Writing (WRT)
AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES (AAS)
African
American Literature Before the Civil War
Project Description:
Many African Americans produced poetry, stories, novels, drama, and autobiographies
before the Civil War. Emphasis will be placed on slave narratives as well as the works
of writers such as W.W. Brown, Frank Webb, Frances Harper, Martin Delaney, Harriet Wilson,
and David Walker.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Students will select either a
certain literary genre or a specific author or time period. The students will research
the topic of their choice, discuss their findings with me, and write papers on their findings.
Minimum Qualifications: Students must have taken AAS 231: African American
Literature to 1900: An Introduction and received a grade of "B" or better.
Sponsor:
Professor Rennie Simson, 200 Sims Hall; 443-4302; email: rsimson@syr.edu
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ANTHROPOLOGY (ANT)
Harriet Tubman Archaeological Project
Project Description:
Archaeological examination of the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, New York. Project
entails analysis of artifacts from several late 19th and early 20th century sites
associated with Harriet Tubman. Sites include her residence and the Harriet Tubman
Home for the Aged.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Work in close conjunction
with faculty. Responsibilities may vary given specific line of research taken. Generally
speaking, four lab hours per week can be expected, with written report at end of term.
Qualifications: Interest in archaeology, with course in archaeology preferred.
Interest in 19th century social history.
Sponsor: Professor Douglas Armstrong,
206B Maxwell Hall; 443-2405; email: darmstrong@maxwell.syr.edu
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St. John, Virgin Islands: Archaeological Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Project Description: Archaeological GIS documentation of historic sites on the U.S.
Virgin Island of St. John (formerly Danish West Indies).
Student Roles/Responsibilities:
Utilize survey data, maps, and historic documents to generate a geographic information system
and database for historic sites in the Virgin Islands. Students will make use of a range of GIS
and data base programs to explore the 18th and 19th century cultural landscape of St. John.
Qualifications: Interest in archaeology, computer skills are essential (GIS and/or
database skills).
Sponsor: Professor Douglas Armstrong, 206B Maxwell Hall; 443-2405;
email: darmstrong@maxwell.syr.edu
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Illustrating Archaeology: Photography, Drawing, Architectural Reconstruction
Project Description: A fundamental aspect of archaeology is the presentation of finds in a manner
that clearly illustrates details of construction, decoration, and stylistic attributes. Often this
involves specialized techniques to interpret or reconstruct the original form.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Students work with the professor in illustrating archaeological
finds, features, and sites from a variety of projects in West Africa. Students will meet regularly
with professor. Precise focus of work will be decided at time of enrollment.
Minimum
Qualifications: Students should have experience, with 1-2 years coursework in photography, drawing,
architecture or relevant field. Students must obtain professor's permission before enrolling.
Sponsor: Professor Christopher R. DeCorse, 206A Maxwell Hall; 443-4647; email:
crdecors@maxwell.syr.edu
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Courtship, Mate Selection and Sexuality
Project Description: Current
research focuses on these issues as found in selected American populations, both student and early
adult.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Library research, administering questionnaires,
data collection and analysis, and perhaps some interviewing.
Minimum Qualifications: Some
research experience preferred; also some familiarity with data collection methods, statistics, and
word processing preferred.
Sponsor: Professor John Townsend, 525 Eggers Hall; 443-4815;
e-mail: jmtsu44@aol.com
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BIOLOGY (BIO)
Special Note: The Department of Biology encourages undergraduates interested
in biology to explore possible research opportunities with biology faculty. Interested
students should contact the Undergraduate Secretary, Ms. Herholtz, in Room 122 Lyman
(443-9139) for a copy of the pamphlet Research Opportunities for Undergraduates. Students may also contact
Dr. Wolf, Chair of the Undergraduate Committee (Room 104D Lyman, 443-3956) or Dr. Hainsworth,
Major Advisor in Biology (Room 11 Lyman Hall, 443-2155) for details about projects and
research areas in the department.
This information may also be found from the
Biology Department Undergraduate Research Website: http://biology.syr.edu/undergraduatestudies/UGresearch.html.
Please see related projects sponsored by Professors Foster and Saranak under the Physics URP entry.
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CHEMISTRY (CHE)
Stimuli-Responsive Multifunctional Nanobiomaterials for Controlled Adsorption and Release of Drugs and Neurotransmitters
Project Description: Nanoscience, nanotechnology and nanobiotechnology are among the most rapidly growing areas of science and technology today. By design and synthesis of novel nanobiomaterials with “smart” structures and functions, we develop efficient orally administered drug-delivery systems at targeted cells in a human body for various types of diseases such as cancers, and biosensing, and microfluidic, and bioseparation devices for various types of biological and medical applications.
Student responsibilities tasks: Students are involved in the development of new types of nanomaterials and biomaterials for medical and biological applications. They charactarize the materials with various types of spectroscopic and microscopy techniques. They demonstrate in-vitro and in-vivo drug delivery by the novel nanobiomaterials at targeted cells.
Minimum Qualifications: The student should be a chemistry or biochemistry major and must have completed one semester of general chemistry.
Educational Benefit: The student will learn about nanoscience and nanobiotechnology and various types of synthetic methods. He/she will benefit from learning various types of characterizations and spectroscopic methods. The student also learns how to rationally design and synthesize new types of efficient therapeutic materials for various kinds of diseases.
Sponsor: Professor Tewodros (Teddy) Asefa, 1-014 CST; 443-3360; e-mail: tasefa@syr.edu
For further information, visit: http://www-che.syr.edu/faculty/asefa.html
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Synthesis of Ligands for the Sensitization of Lanthanide Luminescence
Project Description: Luminescent lanthanide complexes have a variety of
industrial applications, from luminescent films for multi-color displays, to fluorescent
probes for biomedical applications. This project involves the syntheses of new ligands
to trigger the luminescence of selected lanthanide ions.
Student Roles/Responsibilities:
The student will carry out a variety of reactions, some of them under inert gas atmosphere,
purify and characterize the products by a variety of techniques.
Minimum Qualifications:
The student should be majoring in chemistry.
Sponsor: Professor Ana de Bettencourt-Dias,
3-008 CST; 443-2006; e-mail: debetten@syr.edu
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Research in Laser Spectroscopy, Materials Science, and Biomedical Spectroscopy
Project Description: To be determined between professor and student.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Interact with professor and group. Through discussion we can
determine a project which serves research needs, achieves educational purpose, and is worthy
of academic credit.
Minimum Qualifications: Chemistry major.
Sponsor: Professor Joseph Chaiken, 2-010 CST; 443-4285; e-mail: jchaiken@syr.edu
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Platinum Antitumor Agents
Project Description: Cisplatin is
in wide clinical use for the treatment of cancer. Students working on the project would help
collect and analyze data from experiments involving platinum drugs and cancer cells.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: The student will prepare solutions and reagents and participate
in data reduction and analysis.
Minimum Qualifications: The student must be a
biochemistry major. Students who have completed CHE 474, Structural and Physical Biochemistry
are preferred.
Sponsor: Professor James C. Dabrowiak, 1-016D CST; 443-4601; e-mail:
jcdabrow@syr.edu
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Tellurium: A Renewable Non-toxic Reagent for Triggering Reactions in Organic
Chemistry
Project Description: Discovery of new reactions that are environmentally
friendly in that a key non-toxic reagent, elemental tellurium, is recovered and reused.
Previously we have applied tellurium chemistry to synthesize the optically active odor component
of the esteemed mushroom, Tricholema matsutake, and also the rare sugar boivinose and the
lactone component of the cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. Currently, we are applying our
tellurium methodology to the synthesis of tetramic acids, important for their antibiotic antiviral,
antifungal, and cytotoxic activity.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Laboratory research
aimed at discovering and applying new tellurium-triggered reactions. Keeping a detailed laboratory
research notebook, attending and participating in group meetings, and writing progress reports
are student responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications: The student should have completed
courses in General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.
Sponsor: Professor Donald C. Dittmer,
1-014 CST; 443-3851; 443-3151, email: dcdittme@syr.edu
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The Chemistry of Sultines
Project Description: The synthesis of
new sultines (cyclic sulfinate esters) and the investigation of their use in Diels-Alder reactions
via their decomposition products, o-quinodimethanes, formed by the ejection of sulfur dioxide. The
intrinsic chirality or "handedness" of the sulfur atom in the sultine may be brought out by the use
of chiral catalysts, and chiral Diels-Alder adducts may result.
Student Roles/Responsibilities:
Laboratory research aimed at the synthesis of new sultines and the investigation of their behavior in
Diels-Alder reactions; the latter may involve the use of NMR to follow the rates of disappearance of
starting materials and the appearance of products which would be helpful in evaluating the effectiveness
of catalysts. Keeping a detailed laboratory research notebook, attending and participating in group meetings,
and writing progress reports are student responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications: The
student should be a chemistry major and preferably have completed courses in General Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry.
Sponsor: Professor Donald C. Dittmer, 1-014 CST; 443-3851; 443-3151, email:
dcdittme@syr.edu
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How Good is Theory for Molecules?
Project Description: Quantum mechanics
has been around for a long time and it has been said that from now on all chemistry is just a matter
of calculations. There are now many fancy computer programs that make these calculations easy. But how
well do they work? We will try out these modern methods against some well-known experimental observations
as to the structure and vibrations of molecules.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: The student
will carry out experiments and calculations and will be given freedom to design the "next" experiment.
Minimum Qualifications: Two years of college chemistry through organic chemistry.
Sponsor:
Professor Bruce Hudson, 3-006 CST; 443-5805; e-mail: bshudson@syr.edu
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Quenching of Fluorescence by Electron Transfer
Project Description: We have an ongoing project involving the design of fluorescent nucleic
acid for the detection of drug candidates for curing AIDS and other diseases. We have recently
decided that the fluorescent group in these nucleic acids should be a chelated terbium ion. This
project involves exploratory studies aimed at testing out this new fluorophore for this application.
Minimum Qualifications: Two years of college chemistry through organic chemistry.
Sponsor: Professor Bruce Hudson, 3-006 CST; 443-5805; e-mail: bshudson@syr.edu
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Urea Inclusion Crystals: New Optical Materials
Project Description: Urea spontaneously
forms inclusion crystals with long chain n-alkanes in which the urea forms a hydrogen-bonded helix around the n-alkane
in its fully extended ("all-trans") form. The crystals that form are hexagonal with the n-alkane oriented along the
six-fold axis. In our experiments we replace these n-alkanes with chromophoric (colored) compounds to study the
properties of the included molecule and to make useful new optical materials.
Student Roles/Responsibilities:
The student will carry out experiments and calculations and will be given freedom to design the "next" experiment.
Minimum Qualifications: Two years of college chemistry through organic chemistry.
Sponsor: Professor Bruce
Hudson, 3-006 CST; 443-5805; e-mail: bshudson@syr.edu
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Better Semiconductors Through Alkaline-Earth Metal Inclusion
Project Description: Many modern semiconductors rely on the inclusion of different metals in the
traditional III-V semiconductors to obtain materials with enhanced properties. Among those, the
alkaline-earth metals are prime candidates, but they are still difficult to incorporate without
introducing impurities. The project will focus on the synthesis and characterization of alkaline-earth
derivatives, which will be potential sources for alkaline-earth metals in semi-conducting materials.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: The student will carry out a variety of reactions, most of them under
inert gas. The reaction products will be characterized by various techniques including NMR and IR
spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.
Minimum Qualifications: A student should have at
least finished introductory chemistry (CHE 106/116 or CHE 109/119).
Sponsor: Professor
Karin Ruhlandt-Senge, 1-014 CST; 443-1306; e-mail: kruhland@syr.edu
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New Borane Organometallic Ligand Systems
Project Description: Development
of new borane organometallic systems, with continuing study of their structure, thermodynamics, and
electronic stability.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Involvement in on-going chemical research
toward published results. Act as junior scientist, not skilled technician. Maintain research log, attend
weekly (evening) group meetings, present own results informally. Weekly conferences with, and periodic
reports to, Professor Spencer.
Minimum Qualifications: Student must have completed CHE 106/116
or 109/119 and 107/117 or 129/139, and CHE 275 and CHE 276.
Sponsor: Professor James Spencer,
2-008 CST; 443-3436 or 113 Euclid Ave; 443-2426; e-mail: jtspence@syr.edu
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Solid State Materials Chemistry
Project Description: The solid state metal borides are truly remarkable materials due to a unique combination of compositional and structural features, physical properties and potential applications to a wide variety of technological problems. Some of these critical properties for technological application include; (1) very high melting points (typically above 3000° C), (2) exceptional hardnesses, (3) very high thermal and electric conductivities, (4) enormous chemical, thermal and oxidative stabilities, (5) excellent thermionic properties (e.g., LaB6 has highest electronic emissivity of any known material), and (6) excellent magnetic properties (e.g., neodymium-iron-boride has the highest known magnetic energy product). These properties make the boride materials particularly promising for application to such areas as medical imaging, optoelectronic devices, high electron mobility transistors (HEMT), pseudomorphic and heterostructural devices, heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT), refractory materials, and ultra-high speed microelectronic devices. research will extend the boundaries of the formation and use of these exciting new materials.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Involvement in on-going chemical research toward published results. Act as junior scientist, not skilled technician. Maintain research log, attend weekly (evening) group meetings, present own results informally. Weekly conferences with, and periodic reports to, Professor Spencer.
Minimum Qualifications: Student must have completed CHE 106/116 or 109/119 and 107/117 or 129/139, and CHE 275 and CHE 276.
Sponsor: Professor James Spencer,
2-008 CST; 443-3436 or 113 Euclid Ave; 443-2426; e-mail: jtspence@syr.edu
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New Directions in Forensic Chemistry
Project Description: From time to time, our research group collaborates with various law enforcement agencies to develop new methodologies in forensic chemistry. The availability and nature of these projects change with time so new challenges are available.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Involvement in on-going chemical research toward published results. Act as junior scientist, not skilled technician. Maintain research log, attend weekly (evening) group meetings, present own results informally. Weekly conferences with, and periodic reports to, Professor Spencer.
Minimum Qualifications: Student must have completed CHE 106/116 or 109/119 and 107/117 or 129/139, and CHE 275 and CHE 276.
Sponsor: Professor James Spencer,
2-008 CST; 443-3436 or 113 Euclid Ave; 443-2426; e-mail: jtspence@syr.edu
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Design of Radiopharmaceuticals for Imaging of Prostate Cancer
Project Description: Synthesis and characterization of biomolecules and their technetium and rhenium complexes for applications to radioimaging and therapy.
Responsibilities: Synthesis and characterization.
Qualifications: Interest in chemistry and lise sciences.
Sponsor: Professor Jon Zubieta, 2-012 CST; 443-2547, 449-4611; e-mail: jazubiet@syr.edu
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Metal Oxides
Project Description: Synthesis and characterization of
molecule scale reaction vessels based on 2-D and 3-D metal-oxide frameworks.
Student Roles/Responsibilities:
Synthesis characterization by physical-chemical techniques.
Minimum Qualifications: Completion of Organic
Chemistry Laboratory
Sponsor: Professor Jon Zubieta, 2-012 CST; 443-2547, 449-4611; e-mail:
jazubiet@syr.edu
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Better Ceramics Through Chemistry
Project Description: Synthesis and structural
characterization of molecular precursors for Sol-Gel synthesis of solid oxides.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Synthesis of new materials characterization.
Minimum Qualifications: General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Lots of ENTHUSIASM!
Sponsor: Professor Jon Zubieta, 2-012 CST; 443-2547, 449-4611; e-mail: jazubiet@syr.edu
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COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS (CSD)
There are no undergraduate research projects available in Communication Sciences and Disorders
at this time.
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EARTH SCIENCES (GOL)
There are no undergraduate research projects available in Earth Sciences at this time.
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ECONOMICS (ECN)
There are no undergraduate research projects available in Economics
at this time.
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ENGLISH/TEXTUAL STUDIES (ENG/ETS)
The Politics of Play: Understanding and Developing Literacies of Consumerism and Citizenship across Market Groups
Project Description: This project invites a select group of students to increase and apply the learning they began in a course entitled, Let’s Play War: Kids, Popular Culture, and Practicing Citizenship, and share their passion for play and knowledge with school-age youth in the city. Students will continue their study of the cross over of militarism into entertainment and will plan play sessions with young people that will help them to come to some of the realizations that that have had concerning consumerism and militarism while having fun and avoiding proseletizing.
Student Roles/Rersponsibilities:
- After conducting a survey of scholarly and media outlets, students will articulate the most prevalent issues impacting the play worlds of children in contemporary US culture.
- Students will study Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed as a way of preparing to create and lead other students in a dialectical educational learning experience where power is shared, respect is mutual, and lessons come from the daily lives and concerns of all participants.
- Students will design a workshop or program for a targeted age group that appropriately address one of more of these issues.
Students will articulate the relationship between play and citizenship in US culture as it currently exists in dominant culture and as it might ideally exist. Students will practice critical interpretive reading and writing and will introduce younger Syracuse school students to these practices through the modes of interactive play
- .Students will develop a classroom community in which reading, discussion and debate occur in a supportive environment based on mutual respect.
Introduce Syracuse school children to methods of critical analysis in a realm in which they are interested and active.
- Share knowledge, interest and toys (both popular and “smart”) with students who may not otherwise have access to these resources to enhance their consumer and citizenship literacy.
- Reconnect the dynamic potential of learning through mind and body in an environment that promotes passion, play, and pleasure. Connect my scholarly work to the real desires, dreams and needs of real children.
Student will help with recording oral histories of community
members, may help with editorial duties, and will help with library research tasks. Student
will compile a thorough, annotated reading list of works on liberal theory, communitarianism,
and aesthetic theory.
Along with increased analytical skills, this project will enhance students' presentation, facilitation and event planning skills.
Minimum Qualifications: Successful completion of CAS 100 Let's Play War
Sponsor: Professor Karen J. Hall, 401 HL;
474-7725; e-mail: kjhall@syr.edu
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Literature, Aesthetics, and Democratic
Society
Project Description: Project will be a reconsideration of craft,
literature, quality, and aesthetics in relation to liberal theory's understanding of the needs
of a democratic society. In place of aesthetics as intuitive/transcendent or aesthetics as
ideology, I will explore the necessary function aesthetics plays in a progressive society.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Student will help with recording oral histories of community
members, may help with editorial duties, and will help with library research tasks. Student
will compile a thorough, annotated reading list of works on liberal theory, communitarianism,
and aesthetic theory.
Minimum Qualifications: A senior in ETS or Political Science
major. Exceptional junior may qualify as well.
Sponsor: Professor Harvey Teres, 401 HL;
443-4891; e-mail: hmteres@syr.edu
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FINE ARTS (FIA)
Iconography in Modern European or American
Art
Student Roles/Responsibilities: The student will be responsible for conducting preliminary research in his or her chosen topic, and to prepare annotated bibliographies. The focus of the research should be on recurring motifs and themes in the work of the chosen artist or movement, and the meanings conveyed by those subjects. The student will gain or improve research skills and will have the experience of writing short "reviews" (i.e., the notes accompanying the bibliographical entries) of selected articles and books. The student may also write a short research paper (depending upon the number of credits he or she needs)
.
Minimum Qualifications: The student should have taken at least one or two upper-level courses in Fine Arts (beyond FIA 105/106). Fine Arts majors with good GPAs (3.0 or better) are preferred.
Sponsor: Professor Sandra Chai, 308 Bowne Hall; 443-5030 or 443-4184; e-mail: spchai@syr.edu
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GEOGRAPHY (GEO)
There are no undergraduate research
projects available in Geography at this time.
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HISTORY (HST)
Teaching Apprentice on China
Project Description: Intended
for students contemplating an academic career, this project offers one student per semester
the opportunity to serve as apprentice in a course on Chinese history. The student will
spend considerable time both assisting and observing the instructor.
Student Roles/Responsibilities:
Leading some discussions, gathering materials for classroom presentation, commenting on (but not grading)
student assignments.
Minimum Qualifications: Students must have taken the course
for which they plan to apprentice, and must have received a grade of A.
Sponsor: Professor
Norman Kutcher, 145 Eggers Hall; 443-1264; e-mail: nakutche@maxwell.syr.edu
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LANGUAGES, LITERATURES AND LINGUISTICS (LLL)
The War in Bosnia and Its Aftermath
Project Description: Students will
engage in directed study of cultural and political aspects of the war including issues of gender,
genocidal rape, ethnic cleansing, political economy, history, identity, nationalism, and ideologies
of representation.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Students will study independently under
professorial supervision, present the results of their research in bi-semestral workshops with other
students, and do a project either within or outside the University.
Minimum Qualifications:
Professor's permission.
Sponsor: Professor Beverly Allen, 315 HBC; 443-5498; e-mail:
ballen@syr.edu
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National Identity & Contemporary Film
Project Description: Students
will research the roles of national identity in true stories related to human trafficking in Albania,
the adventuresome history of the Sarajevo Haggadah, and aspects of Swedish ritualized celebrations in
Sweden and in Swedish immigrant culture in the U.S., for example, in order to propose popular culture
film treatments of these and other issue-oriented topics.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Weekly
conferences with professor, plus approximately four hours research per week.
Minimum Qualifications:
Interest in topics, some expertise in media analysis, good writing skills, good internet and library
sleuthing skills.
Benefit: Student will acquire wide-ranging and currently relevant historical
information and hone skills in discourse analysis; student will learn how to translate research into popular
culture media.
Sponsor: Professor Beverly Allen, 315 HB Crouse, 443-2175; e-mail:
ballen@syr.edu
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Globalization or Localization? Language Mixing in Cross-Cultural Advertising
Project Description: This project aims at addressing critical issues (such as globalization vs. localization;
and standardization vs. adaptation) in international advertising. These issues will be addressed in the context
of cross-cultural advertising, language universals, and the foundations of human communication. The Project
is interdisciplinary in nature and integrates the methodologies and critical concepts of linguistics, cognitive
sciences, marketing, and consumer research.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Willingness to learn
experimental and data analysis techniques. International print advertising and/or internet advertising will be
studied. (For further details, do not hesitate to contact me at the telephone number below.)
Minimum Qualifications: Instructor’s permission.
Sponsor: Professor Tej K. Bhatia, 312 HBC; 443-5374;
e-mail: tkbhatia@syr.edu
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MATH (MAT)
Stochastic Spatial Models in Ecology
Project Description: The goal
of this project is to explore, both mathematically and computationally, stochastic models from
ecology and biology with a strong spatial component. Such models include predator-prey models,
species competition-coexistence models, etc.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Explore
and analyze stochastic spatial models, primarily through computer simulations.
Minimum Qualifications: Solid calculus background and a calculus based probability course, such as
MAT 521. Some programming experience, especially in C or java would be helpful.
Sponsor: Professor
J.T. Cox, 206C Carnegie; 443-1469; e-mail: jtcox@syr.edu
Please see related projects sponsored by Professors Foster and Saranak under the Physics URP entry.
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PHILOSOPHY (PHI)
Moral Character and Abuse
Project Description: An investigation of the moral
attitudes and beliefs of those engaging in sexual child abuse. Psychological profiles of known abusers will
be used.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Examine accounts of child abuse. Periodic meetings with
sponsor of project for discussion.
Minimum Qualifications: Student(s) must have a 3.6 GPA or higher.
Sponsor: Professor Laurence Thomas, 535 H.L.; 443-5824, 471-1458; e-mail:
lthomas@maxwell.syr.edu
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PHYSICS (PHY)
Detector to 'See' Particle Identity
Project Description: The high-energy
physics laboratory at Syracuse University is presently engaged in the R&D project to design and build a
novel detector to identify particular species, called RING IMAGING DETECTOR. This detector will be used
in a high-energy experiment.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: There is a great variety of projects
in which the students can be involved and they will be chosen according to the best match to the student's
skills.
Minimum Qualifications: Some previous experience, either with mechanical tools or with
electronic test instruments, or the ability of doing some simple programming is desired.
Sponsor: Professor Marina Artuso, 323 Physics Bldg.; 443-2356
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Roles of Second Messengers In Unicellular Green Algae
Project Description: Second
messengers are molecules that transmit information within the cells for processing the input signals to make appropriate
responses. Nitric oxide, calcium, cAMP, IP3 are second messengers for various intracellular signaling pathways in
primitive eukaryotes. The roles of these molecules in the pathway from visual stimulation (input) to the motion of
cilia (output) are not clear and deserve investigation.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Basic microbiology
and chemistry laboratory work including aseptic technique, growing microorganisms, making solutions, calculation of
concentration and making dilution, handle and keep track of a number of simultaneous experiments. For each credit hour,
42 hours of laboratory time is expected. Except for the preparation of reports, no outside time is anticipated. At
the end of the research period a final or progress report is required.
Minimum Qualifications: Interest
and one year of laboratory Science courses are helpful.
Sponsor: Professor Kenneth Foster, 225 Physics Bldg.; 443-9220;
e-mail: foster@phy.syr.edu
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Evolution of Visual Receptors
Project Description: G-protein coupled receptors
account for about 1,000 different sensory receptors in humans (sight, smell, chemical, etc.). It is hypothesized
they have a common origin with the Archea bacteria's rhodopsin receptor. Many other eukaryotes like us should
have them. By studying the common elements of diverse groups one can hope to trace the evolution of the visual
receptors like rhodopsin. We propose to test the hypothesis that many microorganisms guide their crawling using
reception of light by rhodopsin. Students will experience doing research where the answer is not known, and the
findings must stand the test of time. Learn about techniques in evolutionary studies.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Grow organisms and test their behavior in the dark and in response to light stimulation.
Experiments include automated cell tracking controlled by computer, manually tracking and observation, and possibly
designing new behavioral observation.
Minimum Qualifications: Interest and one year of laboratory
science courses.
Sponsor: Professor Kenneth Foster, 225 Physics Bldg.; 443-9220;
e-mail: foster@phy.syr.edu
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Blue Rhodopsin Mutants
Project Description: Seek mutants and construct strains
of the uni-cellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that see blue better than green light. The mutants would be
used for behavioral, biophysical, molecular biological, and biochemical experiments to understand the intracellular
signaling resulted from rhodopsin activation.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Standard lab work. For
each credit hour 42 hours of laboratory time is expected. Except for the preparation of reports, no outside time
is anticipated. At the end of each research period a final report is required.
Minimum Qualifications:
Curiosity, enthusiasm, reliability and ability to handle and keep good record of a number of simultaneous experiments.
Ability to learn strictly aseptic technique is essential. Science experience helpful.
Sponsor: Professor
Jureepan Saranak, 201 Physics Bldg.; 443-4464, 443-9105; e-mail:
jsaranak@syr.edu
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Computerized Cell Tracking
Project Description: We have an automated machine
controlled by the cell tracking program to follow swimming path of micro-organisms. Some well controlled
environmental changes (light, pH, chemicals, temperature) can be applied to the cells and their responses
recorded. This technique is useful to characterize different patterns of swimming due to defects in the cilia.
The responses to the changes in their environment can be accurately quantified. The correlation between the
stimulations (inputs) and the responses (outputs) would help us understand how cells process the information
in order to respond appropriately.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Standard lab work. For each credit
hour 42 hours of laboratory time is expected. Except for the preparation of reports, reading some references, no
outside time is anticipated. At the end of each research period a final or progress report is required.
Minimum Qualifications: Curiosity, enthusiasm, reliability and ability to handle and keep track of a number of
simultaneous experiments. Computer skills and Science experience are helpful.
Sponsor: Professor
Jureepan Saranak, 249 Physics Bldg.; 443-4464, 443-9105; e-mail: jsaranak@syr.edu
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Experimental Gravitational Physics
Project Description: The search for gravitational
waves is in full swing with the completion of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).
The SU Physics Department plays a big role in analyzing data for signals that might come from supernovae, black
hole formation, and other violent cosmic events. We focus especially on learning how to tell the difference between
real gravity wave signals and spurious events that arise in the detectors.
Student Roles/Responsibilities:
Students can select from a variety of tasks, depending on their interests and experience. Possibilities include
investigation of correlations between various LIGO data channels from recent observation runs, and the design and
construction of lab equipment that demonstrates the basic principles of gravitational wave detectors.
Minimum Qualifications: Computer programming and/or laboratory experience are a plus, but the only requirement is
a willingness to learn new things.
Sponsor: Professor Peter Saulson, 201 Physics Bldg.; 443-5994, 449-9423;
e-mail: psaulson@syr.edu
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Experimental Astrophysics
Project Description: Are there molecules in space? How do they form? Are there precursors to biogenic molecules? Current research is focused on learning how molecules are formed in interstellar space and in planetary atmospheres. Experiments are being carried out to measure the efficiency of formation of molecular hydrogen and other key interstellar molecules on analogues of dust grains and aerosol particles in simulated astrophysical and planetary environments. The experimental set-up consists of atomic hydrogen beam lines, ultra-high vacuum chambers, low temperature instrumentation, lasers, and surface characterization probes.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Interested students and the faculty advisor will discuss the best project depending on students' interest, experience and ability. Examples of projects: assembly/testing of vacuum equipment, sample preparation and characterization, participation in on-going experiments, work on data collection and analysis, and computer interfacing. Students participating in this program will be working in a team with undergraduate and graduate students.
Minimum Qualifications: Previous laboratory experience is desirable but not necessary; students majoring in the sciences and engineering are preferred. Good working habits, curiosity and willingness to work and learn in a laboratory setting are a must.
Sponsor: Professor
Gianfranco Vidali, 201 Physics Bldg.; 443-9115; e-mail: gvidali@syr.edu
For further information, visit: http://physics.syr.edu/astro
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POLITICAL SCIENCE (PSC)
First Person Political: Legislative Life and the Meaning of Public Service
Project Description: This is a book about the experiences of state
legislators in running for, serving in, and deciding whether or not to leave the legislature.
The work is meant to engage concerns related to the public's alienation from political life,
and politicians. It is based on interviews, surveys, and data from official records.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: This manuscript is largely completed. Help needed with proofreading,
fact-checking, and other assistance with final manuscript preparation prior to publication.
Minimum Qualifications: Student must have a minimum 3.4 GPA.
Sponsor: Professor Grant
Reeher, 426 Eggers Hall; 443-5046, 443-2416; e-mail: gdreeher@maxwell.syr.edu
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The Political Life of the Internet
Project Description: This is
a book about the Internet's impact on American political life. It has the 2004 election cycle
as its focus, and concerns the use of the Internet by a variety of different organizations and
individuals-presidential campaigns, candidates for other offices, interest groups, bloggers, and
individual citizens acting alone or in groups.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: This
manuscript is currently being researched and written-the need here is for assistance with a
wide variety of tasks, including general research assistance.
Minimum Qualifications:
Requires a good working knowledge of Internet surfing, familiarity with American politics (and
ideally familiarity with politics on the Internet), and a 3.4 GPA.
Sponsor: Professor
Grant Reeher, 426 Eggers Hall; 443-5046, 443-2416; e-mail:
gdreeher@maxwell.syr.edu
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PSYCHOLOGY (PSY)
Alcohol Use of College Students
Project Description: The goal of
these studies is to understand the causes of college student drinking and to explore intervention
methods that encourage lower-risk drinking.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Research
assistants may administer questionnaires to participants; they may learn how to code self-report
data; they will learn to enter data into data base programs. Students will have the opportunity
to read articles from the alcohol/substance use literature and to learn more about research methodology.
Research assistants will also attend regular lab meetings to learn about the latest developments
in the substance use field and to find out more ways to get involved in research opportunities in
the lab.
Qualifications: Students who apply must have taken Psychology 205 (PSY 252
and 313 are desirable) and must be hard-working, dependable, and interested in learning more about
all aspects of research. Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is necessary;
familiarity with the Macintosh platform is helpful. A full-year (two semester) commitment is required.
Application: Submit a statement of interest, which should address your goals for the
experience and the qualities that would make you a good Research Assistant, and a copy of your
transcript to Dr. Carey.
Sponsor: Professor Kate B. Carey, 412 Huntington Hall; 443-2706;
e-mail: kbcarey@syr.edu
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Family Life and Asthma Project
Project Description: Study
aims to examine how family routines and rituals may promote medical adherence and reduce
anxiety in children with asthma.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Students are
trained to assist in laboratory procedures including parent and child interviews, coding
videotapes of parent/child interaction and assisting in home observations.
Minimum Qualifications: Students must have an overall 3.0 GPA, be able to make a two-semester
commitment, and show evidence of maturity and investment in psychological research.
Sponsor: Professor Barbara Fiese, 430 Huntington Hall; 443-2354; e-mail:
bhfiese@syr.edu
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Age Differences in Learning and the Development of
Automaticity
Project Description: Dr. Hoyer's Adult Cognition
Laboratory (457 Huntington Hall) provides an opportunity each semester for one or two junior
or senior undergraduates to gain first-hand experience in a cognitive psychology research
laboratory that focuses on individual differences (i.e. age differences). Students will work
closely with Professor Hoyer and several graduate students on ongoing projects that focus
on the study of adult age differences in learning, memory, and visual selective attention.
One of the projects is concerned with how individuals of different ages (young adults,
middle-aged, elderly) learn and maintain new cognitive skills. A second project is concerned
with understanding adult age differences in the ability to ignore or inhibit distractor
information in learning tasks. Each project consists of a series of studies that will
continue throughout the year.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: The students
will become part of a research team investigating the questions described above. Students
will be responsible for assisting with data collection, and with scoring and entering of
data into computer files. Students will attend research team meetings and will participate
in group discussions of research findings of plans and procedures for new experiments.
Students will read and discuss research articles that are related to the ongoing research
projects.
Minimum Qualifications: There is only room for two undergraduates to
participate each semester, so Professor Hoyer will need to be selective. The experience
is most suited to someone who has a strong interest in actively participating in cognitive
psychological research. In terms of qualifications, the student should: 1) be a psychology
major; 2) have taken PSY 337 (Adult Life and Aging) and PSY 332 (Cognitive Psychology)
or related courses; and 3) be seriously considering graduate study in cognitive or life-span
developmental psychology.
Sponsor: Professor William J. Hoyer, 430 Huntington Hall;
443-3663; e-mail: wjhoyer@syr.edu
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RELIGION (REL)
Jewish Storytelling
Project Description: A study of 19th and 20th
century Jewish stories.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Library research;
interlibrary loans; fact-finding; study of relevant texts.
Minimum
Qualifications: Some knowledge of Hebrew desirable but not
required.
Sponsor: Professor Ken Frieden, 506 H.L.; 443-1894, 443-3861;
e-mail: kfrieden@syr.edu
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Empathy: Psychological and Ethical
Dimensions
Project Description: A study of the psychological and
ethical literature on empathy; its meaning, history of the concepts, and different
psychological and philosophical understandings of its role in moral decision making.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Library research, writing brief summaries and comparisons.
Minimum Qualifications: Course work in either psychology or philosophical or religious ethics.
Sponsor: Professor Ernest Wallwork, 510 H.L.; 443-5720; (202) 244-7919; e-mail:
eewallwo@syr.edu
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Iconic Books
Project Description: This on-going project
by Professor Jim Watts and religion graduate student, Dori Parmenter, investigates the
use of books in ritual, art and public display. The goal is to collect examples of such
use from diverse sources, and analyze their role in religion and culture. The project
should result in one or more books presenting these materials and their significance to
a wider public.
Student Involvement: Students can make valuable contributions
to this research project by collecting examples in a systematic way through library
research and/or field explorations. The material might include images of art and of
ritual practice, written descriptions of the use of iconic books, and academic discussions.
The student's responsibilities would include collection and organization of materials
into a usable database.
Minimum Requirements: Senior or junior standing,
major or minor in Religion, Religion & Society, or Judaic Studies.
Educational
Benefit: Students will gain practice in making research decisions about the kinds of
materials to study, the sources in which to look for them, and the organization and
documentation of their discoveries, all essential skills for research in any field.
Sponsor: Professor James Watts, 501 H.L.; 443-5713; e-mail: jwwatts@mailbox.syr.edu
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SOCIOLOGY (SOC)
Race, Class, and Economic Restructuring - The Political Economy of Upstate NY
Cities
Project Description: This project examines the post war (i.e., WWII)
development of upstate New York cities through the lens of political economy. The specific
focus is on the impact of the mid-century onward, restructuring of these local economies
on their growing minority populations.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: Collecting
information and quantitative data through official records and from Bird (et al. libraries),
via the web and through interviews and other data gathering from (former) municipal officials
and residents of these cities.
Sponsor: Professor Arthur Paris, 302 Maxwell Hall;
443-2279: e-mail: aeparis@syr.edu
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WRITING PROGRAM (WRT)
Advanced Research in Academic Writing
Project Description:
Undergraduate researchers will contribute to the development of a proposal for teaching writing in courses across the curriculum.
Student Roles/Responsibilities: The undergraduate researchers will be responsible for interviewing other undergraduates about their experiences in finding, using, and citing sources in their writing; about their experiences with and concerns about plagiarism; and about what they would like to know how to do better. Preparatory to conducting these interviews, undergraduate researchers will read about interview techniques and participate in developing the questions to be asked in interviews. Once the interviews have been finished, the researchers will write a description of each interview and an overall reflection on the information they have gathered from the aggregated interviews. During the course, researchers will meet with the professor weekly. They will be evaluated three times during the semester on the basis of the quality and timeliness of their work.
Minimum Qualifications: Successful completion of WRT 205. Students interested in writing, research, or teaching, regardless of their academic major, are eligible. Successful research assistants need not already be accomplished writers — just motivated ones.
Benefit: Improved writing skills; improved understanding of writing for college; possible coauthorship of an academic article. Students involved with this project have the opportunity to substantially affect how academic writing is taught at Syracuse University.
Sponsor: Professor
Rebecca Moore Howard, 237 HB Crouse; 443-1620; e-mail: rehoward@syr.edu
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