Currently, undergraduate students from across Canada interested in conducting research can apply for an Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), administered through the Office of Research at the University of Waterloo.
This year, Waterloo Engineering will award over 50 USRAs to engineering undergraduate students from across Canada – over $225,000 – to work alongside preeminent faculty researchers. The deadline for application is April 15 for the Spring term.
The dean will provide an additional $4,500 to 15 of Waterloo’s top USRA recipients. Available to engineering undergraduates who enrol in Waterloo’s Accelerated Master’s program, the dean’s top up funding is intended to encourage exceptional students who want to fast track a Master of Applied Science (MASc) degree by starting their master’s level course work and research thesis during their last co-op term. The research placement will normally be undertaken in the faculty supervisor’s lab. Faculty supervisors may provide additional top-up funding. Students enrolled in the accelerated master’s program can usually complete their MASc degree requirements within a year after their 4B term.
“Engaging our students early in research is the key to preparing them for an increasing number of career options that require specialization,” said Sullivan. “Industry needs experts in a broad range of engineering disciplines to develop new products, processes and services. This program will produce graduates with higher skills for more advanced engineering or R&D work.”
“The accelerated master’s is a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to take on research, with the Dean’s funding as an attractive incentive,” added Bruce Hellinga, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. “More than 1,000 industry and government partners support Waterloo Engineering’s leading-edge research, and we are giving our students early access."
Read Professor Bruce Hellinga’s article in the Globe and Mail on the critical need for specialized engineers: Without highly specialized engineers, Canada can kiss innovation goodbye.