Research Concentrations

One of the major advantages of attending the Gatton Academy is the access our students have to participate in undergraduate-level research in STEM areas at WKU. Research is a requirement for all Gatton students who wish to receive the recognition of Honors at graduation.

Additionally, participation in a research project is the threshold experience that is required for many of the high-level scholarships and experiences our students compete for. Being a part of a university research project, working in a WKU lab, and developing strong relationships with professors is part of the unique value that can be a part of your Academy experience. Getting involved in research early on can set up a row of opportunities throughout your Gatton experience and beyond. Participation in research is optional, however.

Additional Descriptions Of Available Research Areas

Agriculture: Interests in turf grass and golf course management, swine, veterinary, dairy, beef cattle, equine, agronomy, grapevine/vineyard, and horticulture can be met through this department.

Architecture: A hands-on department that works on actual projects in home design from drafting stage with Auto CAD to on the construction site.

Astronomy: After finishing a pre-requisite course, Academy students are invited to assist in actual research projects with one of WKU's core four astronomy faculty.

Biotechnology: A wide variety of interests can be met in this field, including those who are interested in future medical careers (of all types), molecular and cell biology, as well as genetics and genome annotation. Over the past two years, 25 Gatton Academy students have participated in the Genome Discovery and Exploration Program during their first year of Gatton Academy study. This year long research cohort/class spans the junior year at the Gatton Academy. The program features sponsorship from the nationally prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Bio-informatics: This emerging field overlaps the fields of biology, computer science, and math to find new ways of analyzing and interpreting collected data.

Bio-diversity: Encompasses interests in ecology and conservation. WKU Biodiversity studies may include in-the-field projects at the Upper Green River Biological Preserve. Past projects have centered upon blackberry studies, fish, birds, butterflies, native grassland restoration, hardwood forest restoration, bioacoustics, water studies, endangered mussel species in the Green River, erosion, and field mice. Another fascinating topic blends mathematics and bio-diversity, researching how matrices and mathematical modeling can predict and illustrate food webs.

Chemistry: Myriad opportunities available throughout the chemistry department for those with serious chemistry interests. Studies in metal organic frameworks, nanomaterials/nanoparticles, and even cancer-fighting research are examples from the past. In this department, you might learn skills like spectroscopy, electrophoresis, and kinetics. Students with Chemistry interests that overlap with Geography and Geology interests may also want to investigate the Geology department's mineral analysis lab or the Geography department's two water resource labs.

Computer Science: Past projects available include cryptography, graph theory, knot theory, cyber security, and robotics (voice recognition, networking).

Civil Engineering: Design and construction of large-scale structures are studied. Expertise of WKU faculty members in this department include stormwater/flood management systems, materials testing, wind forecasting, and concrete strengthening.

Electrical Engineering: Study of electrical and circuitry systems are studied. Learn skills in networking, circuiting, and robotic systems. Students must have a pre-requisite course during their first semester before they can begin research.

Mechanical Engineering (ME): Applies design and theory to the creation of mechanical systems. Students must have a pre-requisite course during their first semester. They can begin research during their second semester while also taking the next class in the ME sequence.

Geography: Includes a variety of projects in GIS (Geographic Information Systems), cave mapping, meteorology (analysis of weather data, forecasting, forensic meteorology, climate change), cave and karst study, water resources, beach erosion, sustainability and eco-studies. A past study by a Gatton student combined an interest in meteorology with computer science skills, as the student manipulated weather models to research some "what if" scenarios for our climate.

Geology: Mineral studies with high level of chemical analysis. WKU faculty expertise ranges from planetary geology to volcanism to local studies on Kentucky's elaborate network of cave and karst.

Manufacturing: This department features a fantastic robotics and manufacturing lab to involve students in the design and construction of new products.

Mathematics: Past and current Academy projects in this department have included work with mathematical biology (modeling of oxygen therapy on wound healing, as one very successful example), studying a particular theory (i.e. knot theory), weekly advanced problem solving competition and seminar, and finding new ways to alter matrices for teaching purposes. Students with mathematics interests that overlap with biology and computer science interests may wish to also look at Bio-informatics. Students with overlapping biodiversity interests may wish to forge their interests to study food webs.

Physics: Materials science studies and characterization of materials can start from the first semester. Students are welcome to start working with WKU's Applied Physics Institute after completing Calculus I and while simultaneously taking University Physics I and its lab. WKU is also home to the new NOVA Center, home of one of the world's most powerful scanning electron microscopes.

Psychology: An ideal department for those students who wish to explore a more social science. Past projects include examining the social lives of those with autism, cognition studies and developmental/child psychology studies, gender differences on morality, and even sports fan behavior.

Don't see your interest here?

The Gatton Academy's research program is limited by the scope of WKU's offerings and the expertise of the faculty that are here. However, this list is by no means exhaustive. If there is something particular that you want to study that you don't believe fits neatly into the categories above, please describe it in your survey and the Gatton Academy will try to help match you to a faculty mentor to pursue your interest.