REU Site: Using the Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Mathematics to Study Crime
at
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
This National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates program is supported via award # 1004953.
***** Update on April 2, 2012 ----- We have made final selections for the 2012 cohort. ******
For questions about the program, please contact Dr. Kent Kerley at krkerley@uab.edu.
Highlights of the UAB Crime REU:
What is it?
This 8-week summer program is designed for undergraduate students who want “hands-on” research experience and for those who are interested in pursuing post-graduate degrees in fields such as Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Computer Science, Sociology, Public Policy, Biology, and Chemistry. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation (grant # SMA-1004953).
Who are we?
The setting for this REU site is the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in Birmingham, Alabama. Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, UAB is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center. UAB is classified as an institution of “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation and is ranked among the top 15 percent of U.S. colleges and universities by The Princeton Review. UAB is home to approximately 18,000 students at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels as of fall, 2009.
REU students will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty from UAB’s Department of Justice Sciences and Department of Computer and Information Sciences. The 8 REU faculty members are nationally recognized for their expertise in working with large data sets, data mining and manipulation, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and DNA analysis. See below for faculty information.
Who are we looking for?
The program is targeted to undergraduate students from four-year colleges and universities who will have approximately 60 hours of credits by the start of the program this summer. A total of 12 students will be selected for the summer 2012 program. We are looking for highly motivated and promising students who want hands-on research experience in three exciting and emerging fields. Students who complete an undergraduate degree before June, 2012 will not be eligible. Students from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
What will you do? If selected for the program, you will:
conduct research in: 1) Criminal Justice, 2) Forensic Science, or 3) Computer Forensics.
work with faculty mentors in your research track for 35-40 hours per week to complete one or more projects during the summer experience. In some cases you will work directly with a local criminal justice agency on your project.
attend Friday luncheons that include special presentations from local criminal justice professionals and time to interact with other REU students and faculty. You will make a presentation of your research experience during the final Friday luncheon.
receive free lodging, food (up to $30 per day), and travel (up to $250) to UAB.
receive a stipend of $450 per week.
receive tours of several major criminal justice agencies in Alabama.
receive access to UAB libraries, labs, dining facilities, and the Campus Recreation Center.
receive tours of Birmingham and attend several special events in the area.
How do students apply?
The application will be available on this site each year.
REU Faculty for Summer, 2012 include:
Track 1: Criminal Justice
Dr. Heith Copes (click for personal webpage)
Ph.D., Sociology/Criminology, University of Tennessee
Department of Justice Sciences
205-975-9489
jhcopes@uab.edu
Dr. Kent Kerley (Click for personal webpage)
Ph.D., Sociology/Criminology, University of Tennessee
Departmentof Justice Sciences
205-934-8548
krkerley@uab.edu
Track 2: Forensic Science
Dr. Elizabeth Gardner (click for personal webpage)
Ph.D.,Analytical Chemistry, Michigan State University
Department of Justice Sciences
205-934-0668
eagard@uab.edu
Dr. Jason Linville (Click for personal webpage)
Ph.D., Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Department of Justice Sciences
205-934-2069
jglinvil@uab.edu
Track 3: Computer Forensics
Dr. Purushotham Bangalore (click for personal webpage)
Ph.D., Computational Engineering, Mississippi State University
Department of Computer and Information Science
205-934-8604
puri@uab.edu
Mr. Gary Warner (Click for personal webpage)
B.S., Computer and Information Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Department of Computer and Information Science
205-934-8620
gar@uab.edu
Dr. Chengcui Zhang (Click for personal webpage)
Ph.D., Computer Science, Florida International University
Department of Computer and Information Science
205-934-2213
czhang02@uab.edu
