The University of South Carolina is the only institution in the state that has received the highest ranking by the Carnegie Foundation as an institution with "very high research activity." College of Engineering and Computing researchers are providing solutions to problems that will benefit the people of South Carolina, our nation and the world.

Undergraduate students make important contributions to our research efforts by completing independent study courses, working in grant-funded research positions, and participating in University-sponsored undergraduate research scholarship and educational programs.

Independent Study Courses

These courses provide a closely supervised project or research experience and allow a student to earn elective credit that can count towards degree requirements. Independent study course contracts are developed by the student and the mentor and must be approved by the department and the Dean. Contact your advisor for more information.

Grant-Funded Research Positions

Our faculty members lead various research programs that are funded by government agencies, private foundations and industry. Undergraduate students are frequently employed part-time throughout the year to assist with these programs. Interested students should discuss these opportunities with their academic advisor and other faculty.

Office of Undergraduate Research

The university's Office of Undergraduate Research seeks to enrich the academic experience of all USC undergraduates by providing research and scholarly experiences in their chosen fields. The Office manages the Magellan Scholar fellowship program to support our talented undergraduates in a mentored research experience. It provides venues for undergraduates to present and publish their research. It also sponsors seminars for students to learn many of the skills necessary for becoming successful researchers.