2008 TRUST SUPERB-IT
June 8 – August 1, 2008

Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley- Information Technology (SUPERB-IT)
Team for Research in Ubiquitous Secure Technologies (TRUST)

APPLICATION PROCESS

The program offers a research experience in information technology and TRUST related topics. SUPERB-IT is a eight-week program that will commence on Monday, June 9, 2008, and continue through Friday, August 1, 2008.

The goal of this program is to increase the level of diversity among students entering graduate programs by providing research opportunities under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Program objectives are: to provide students with preparation to become research scholars; to stimulate serious consideration of graduate study; and to increase the number of successful underserved applicants and to enroll these students in graduate school.

The SUPERB-IT affords students an opportunity to conduct research under the direction and guidance of a UC Berkeley faculty member and/or graduate student mentor. In most disciplines, scholars may propose a research topic, but the mentor determines the research project. Special consideration will be given to applicants who have shown potential for success, but may have had limited access to graduate research or other academic opportunities. The program strongly encourages applications from undergraduates who have been educationally or economically disadvantaged and who show potential to benefit from exposure to the environment of a research university. All applicants will be considered without regard to race or gender.

ELIGIBILITY
The SUPERB-IT will be offered on a competitive basis to those individuals who, at the application deadline:

a) are citizens or permanent residents of the United States;
b) are enrolled full time at a four-year college or university;
c) are sophomores (who have completed at least three semesters or four quarters of actual college
course work), juniors, and seniors who will not be graduating in the spring;
d) have not already completed a B.A. or B.S. degree;
e) have a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average;
f) have shown potential for success, but may have had limited access to graduate research or other
preparatory opportunities; the applicant should indicate his/her potential for success particularly as it
relates to educational achievement while overcoming obstacles, which may include, but are not
limited to economic, social, or educational challenges.

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
Research projects are under individual faculty sponsorship. Students are encouraged to express interest in a specific area of research. The program cannot, however, guarantee that the student will work in his/her expressed research interest. Faculty mentors and the program director reserve the right to make final research placements.

All research is substantive, requiring the full-time commitment of the student (five days a week/40 hours per week). In conjunction with the requirements of the faculty mentors, all participants are required to submit a research paper and make a final presentation. Students also participate in supplemental activities (weekly workshops, meetings, and Graduate Record Examination [GRE] preparation) to enhance their program experience and preparation for graduate school.

AWARDS
Students will be awarded a $4,000 stipend. All program participants will be required to live in assigned, on-campus housing (dorms). The program will cover all expenses for room and board (double occupancy). Travel costs to the program and back to the student’s home campus will be covered within program limitations (for all non-UC Berkeley students). Scholars admitted to SUPERB-IT should be notified by March 31, 2008.

APPLICATION MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES
All application materials must be submitted together in one envelope and must include:

a) Copy of the Completed Online Application Form (includes resume and statement of purpose)

b) Two Letters of Recommendation

c) Official copy of your current academic transcript

All application packets (containing a–c) must be postmarked by January 31, 2008. For further information, please contact the Dr. Kristen Gates, by email (kgates@eecsberkeley.edu), or call (510) 642-3737.

Without a copy of your entire application packet, along with the online application original, your application is not considered complete. All documents must be returned to: