undergradstudents.research opportunities

Research Opportunities

There are several programs within the CEE Department and the Pratt School of Engineering that give undergrads research opportunities while earning credit. Students are also encouraged to explore the Duke Undergraduate Research web site for opportunities.

• Independent Study within the CEE Department - Independent Study courses are usually taken in the Junior or Senior years. Students may register for 1/2 or 1 credit of independent study for one or two semesters. In an independent study course students work with a faculty advisor to focus on a special topic of the student's choosing by self-guided readings, developing and/or running computer simulations and/or laboratory experiments.
• Pratt Undergraduate Research Fellows - The Pratt Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Program provides engineering undergraduates with an opportunity to do intensive research in their engineering major and receive course credit and the opportunity to do summer research. Pratt Engineering Undergraduate Fellows work on research projects under the direction of faculty advisers. Course credit is given in the student's major, via linked independent studies for a three semester course sequence.
• Graduation with Departmental Distinction - Students who aspire to Graduate with Departmental Distinction (GDD) within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering conduct supervised research through independent study courses and present the results of individual research and study in both written and oral forms to the department's Awards and Honors Committee. Those candidates who are judged by the department's Awards Committee to have distinguished themselves through their paper and presentation earn Graduation with Departmental Distinction honors.
• Duke SmartHouse - The Duke SmartHouse is a 6,000 sq. ft. live in research laboratory operated by Duke's Pratt School of Engineering. We are partnering with industry to strengthen the residential market for integrated technology, and helping homeowners to make their own ideas for smart homes a reality. Students can conduct independent study work for credit or take part in special topics courses taught on an ad hoc basis.