Research skills and conference papers as part of the undergraduate engineering programs

We present the methodology applied at the Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia, Lima, Peru, to develop research skills in undergraduate students starting at their first semester. The methodology includes training students since the first year to research in advanced topics. This methodology has been applied since 2012 and now there are two students in a MS program in the USA but before finishing their BS as part of a 4+1 collaboration. Also, there are two junior students in an exchange program in the USA but doing advanced research with grad students. The performance of the students that have had these research experiences is outstanding in terms of technical and soft skills.

I. Introduction

The best way to learn engineering is by doing engineering projects. This statement goes in contrast to the traditional methodology where science courses are taught deductively, with the instructors first teaching basic, relevant theory and mathematical models, then moving on textbook exercises and, with good luck, getting into real-world problems. In this classic methodology, the students have to learn the material with the promise that it will be important for more advanced courses in their program [1]