51С»Æ³µ

The University of 51С»Æ³µ hosts the 6th Annual Northeast Undergraduate Research and Development Symposium (NURDS) March 8-9, 2014 (1:00-8:30 p.m. on Saturday and 8:15 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Sunday.) at UNE's Biddeford Campus.  The symposium, supported by the National Science Foundation and 51С»Æ³µProvost? Office, College of Arts and Sciences Dean? Office, and 51С»Æ³µVice President for Research and Scholarship, is the largest interdisciplinary undergraduate research conference in northern 51С»Æ³µ.  It is created, organized and run each year by undergraduate students.

This year? event has attracted 170 student registrants from 39 colleges and universities throughout 51С»Æ³µ and as far north as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Students will present high-level research in more than a dozen disciplines ranging from biology, neuroscience and mathematics to historical, social and cultural studies.

Brian F. Beal, Ph.D., professor of marine ecology at the University of Maine, Machias, will deliver the keynote address, ?A Journey Through Time: Green Crabs and the Importance of Undergraduate Research,? on Saturday, March 8th at 2:45 p.m. in the 51С»Æ³µCampus Center.  Presentations, workshops and poster sessions are scheduled from 1:00-8:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 8:15 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Student research topics run the gamut from ?Is Diet Related to the movement of Atlantic sturgeon in the Saco River Estuary? to ?Inducing Relaxation via Virtual Reality/Binaural Beats.?  Many students are preparing their research for submission to publications, and the symposium provides an opportunity to refine their research, presentation and networking skills.