Each of Drexel's Department of Materials Science and Engineering's tenured and tenure-track faculty maintains an active research group with expertise in various areas of cutting-edge materials science and engineering research. Undergraduates, including first-year students, are encouraged to work in a lab to gain hands-on research experience. Students can use a work-study position to work in a lab. Undergraduate students frequently go on to apply to graduate fellowships, such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, the Department of Defense NDSEG, the Department of Defense SMART, and Fulbright to continue research at the graduate level.
First-year students have the opportunity to apply to Drexel's STAR (Students Tackling Advanced Research) program, which allows them to participate in faculty-mentored research, scholarship, or creative work during the summer after their first year. High-achieving students from across the university are invited to participate in the STAR Scholars Program during the admissions process; current students who were not invited to participate have the opportunity to apply for the program during the Winter Term of their first year. STAR Scholars earn a $3,500 stipend over the course of the summer and are provided with on-campus housing.
Undergraduate students can use the ForagerOne portal to create a profile and find and apply for research opportunities that align with their interests.