Program Overview

Introduction to First-year Research Immersion

The First-year Research Immersion (FRI) is a groundbreaking program designed for first-year STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) students. This program provides students with the opportunity to combine their academic studies with real research experiences, investigating important problems that yield publishable results in multiple research areas.

Program Structure

The three-semester program begins with a Research Methods seminar in the fall of the first year, followed by two Research Stream courses. In these courses, students learn research techniques, acquire background on a research question, and follow through on the initial phases of a real research problem.

Rationale for a Three-Semester Program

Scientific research is a complex process that requires time and dedication to master. The three-course FRI sequence is designed to replicate the best of junior-senior "independent study" research experiences for substantial numbers of first-year students. This approach provides students with a deeper understanding of the process of science and how to apply it successfully.

Faculty Involvement and Research Streams

Faculty members, in teams of three to five, design and oversee the research experience for each Research Stream. New laboratories have been designed, constructed, and outfitted to provide innovative infrastructure for undergraduate students to conduct cutting-edge research in their assigned Research Stream.

Benefits of the Program

Students who participate in the FRI program are well-positioned to continue research in faculty laboratories and obtain summer internships after completing the program. These experiences prepare them for future careers in sciences and engineering.

Unique Aspects of the Program

Binghamton University's FRI program is the only one of its kind, with teams of faculty researchers designing and overseeing the research streams. This approach allows students to get to know several faculty members early in their college experience and develop mentor-mentee relationships and a peer-support community.

Alignment with National Initiatives

The FRI program is aligned with the national initiative for transforming undergraduate STEM education, which emphasizes the importance of authentic research experiences for students. This initiative is based on over 20 years of research about how students learn and how to engage them in careers in science and engineering.

Sponsorship and Collaboration

The FRI program is supported by several sponsors and collaborators, including the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York State Regional Economic Development Council, SUNY IP Fund, SUNY EIP Fund, SUNY PIF Fund, and National Science Foundation Geopath-Extra. Binghamton University has committed to the program through strategic vision, academic support, facilities, and financial resources.

Student Testimonial

The FRI program provides students with a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on research experiences early in their academic careers. According to one student, "This course is definitely one that anyone considering a career in research should take because it allows the students to get into the lab and do actual hands-on research in the first year."