Welcome to the C3 Research Education for Undergraduates Program!
What Critical Need is the C3 REU Site Addressing?
The C3 REU Site addresses a critical need for sustainable research infrastructure that successfully trains undergraduate researchers in techniques to characterize and disrupt the illicit economy.
What is the Illicit Economy?
The illicit economy, encompassing economic activities that are illegal or operate outside the formal, regulated and legal framework of a given country, is estimated in the billions in the United States alone. The C3 collaboration (a multi-site collaboration that includes South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University, The University of South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã and South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Mines are providing an interdisciplinary approach to combating the cyber, physical and social elements of the illicit economy.
How Does the REU Site Provide a Successful Framework to Train Undergraduate Researchers?
The REU site provides a ten-week summer research intensive, the requisite training, skills and experience needed for undergraduate researchers to successfully pursue graduate studies in security-based topics calibrated towards undermining the illicit economy and advancing scientific fields through (a) carefully designed, multi-level mentored research projects, (b) technical and professional development seminars, and (c) a unique STEM communications program. An experienced consortium of faculty mentors with interdisciplinary research expertise are guiding students in their development through multidisciplinary collaborative research projects, including professional development training in collaborative research skills/tools.
The illicit economy poses serious economic concerns and impacts a variety of industries. Due to the nature of the C3 REU Site, students will conduct transformative research in the following fields:
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Industrial Engineering
- Material and Metallurgical Engineering
- Behavioral Science
- Chemistry/Biochemistry.
The program has been designed using an interdisciplinary framework in fields such as chemistry, materials science, and computer modeling to advance the fields of expertise surrounding the C3 REU Site. Faculty will work in a highly collaborative environment, with substantial on-site research infrastructure, providing a unique and high-quality research experience for undergraduates.
