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e-Research: A Journal of Undergraduate Work

Vol 2, No 2 (2011)

Introduction

The 2011 issue of Chapman University's E-Research Journal samples research produced by undergraduates studying molecular genetics, modeling and simulations, and mathematics. Mr. Barrett used simulations to test increasingly complex strategies to solve a classical mathematical puzzle, one hundred prisoners and a light bulb. Ms. Cyr mapped the region of the herpes simplex virus essential to transition the virus from a latent to an active state. Ms. Kristedja used remote sensing to study the effects of Deep Water Horizon oil spill on chlorophyll concentrations in the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Bui explored the contributions made by the Bernoulli family to mathematics and physics. Finally, Mr. Shaffer used the probability modeling tools, Markov Models and Hadoop MapReduce to determine the frequency with which specific words are followed by other specific words.

The undergraduate student research published here represents the dozens of research projects completed this year by Schmid College of Science and Technology students. Undergraduate research is a defining feature of Schmid College degree programs, thus, by the time students graduate from Chapman University they have completed at least one research project. We are proud that our undergraduates leave Chapman having had hands on experience undertaking the quest for new knowledge and for finding solutions to real world problems.

Janeen Hill, Guest Editor Professor of Biological Sciences and Senior Associate Dean, Schmid College of Science and Technology