The California State University, Northridge (CSUN) PAIR program partners with Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). We are engaged in study related to NASA strategic enterprises of Earth Science and Space Science.

The goals of this project, which relate to MUREPs mission, are to:

improve SMET students’ analytical and computer skills and give them experience working with NASA data sets;

increase the number of minority students interested in pursuing graduate careers in science and mathematics;

publish a workbook of projects appropriate for undergraduates, similar to Mission Mathematics [1], on the topics covered in

our four new data analysis courses and seminars.

attract and retain minority students in SMET disciplines;

We have created four new data analysis classes on the topics of:

Solar PhysicsProteomics Global Positioning Satellite Orbital Mechanics

Each course is augmented by a seminar series hosting expert speakers on each topic.

Each student in the cohort is required to complete three of the four courses.

Objectives of all courses

• Study the character of the data

• Understand the nature of the data – particularly

problems

• Build mathematical or statistical models for prediction

• give a 10-minute oral presentation of class research activity

• work approximately 20 hours a week during the academic year and earn $1,000 per month.

• meet with advisors weekly and report on research project progress to promote scientific writing skills.

• give oral and poster presentations

Program Evaluation

Pre- and Post-course content review

Standard CSUN course evaluation

Research Assistant evaluation

Faculty/Advisor evaluation

Overall program effectiveness

weekly seminars on current research, open to public

CSUN faculty developing proposals incorporating elements of the NASA PAIR curriculum

G.P.A. improvements in several PAIR students

Students displaying interest in a variety of scientific fields relating to NASA research

New experimental courses on Fourier and Wavelet Analysis of Signals and Images and Bioinformatics

Faculty involved with the NASA PAIR project will compile a workbook of projects appropriate for undergraduates on the topics covered in the four new data analysis courses and seminars.

Research Assistants present poster and give oral presentations at student research conferences.

Dr. Gerry Simila presented results of the GPS/SAR course at the Americal Geophysical Union conference Fall 2000 and at the Geological Society of America in Spring 2001.

The NASA PAIR project has received much attention on the CSUN campus. The program has been featured in the campus newspaper, college newsletters, and other media outlets.

Project Outcome Metric for Success Actual Achievement

Recruit and retain acohort of primarilyunderrepresented minority MSETstudents

A minimum of 50%underrepresented minority studentswithin each cohort and a retention of80%

The second cohort is approximately50% minority students and one Deafstudent. We currently have a 90%retention rate. 100% areMSETmajors

Project Outcome Metric for Success Actual Achievement

For each cohort tosuccessfully complete3 intensive dataanalysis courses

90% of all students in each cohortsuccessfully complete 3 of the 4data analysis courses

76% of the cohort 1 successfullycompleted the 3 or 4 data analysiscourses in year 1

Project Outcome Metric for Success Actual Achievement

Research assistantswill complete aresearch project andpresent their research

100% of all research assistants willsuccessfully complete a researchproject with a research mentor andpresent their research

Approximately 100% of the YEAR 2research assistants are working ona research project with a mentor.

Project Outcome Metric for Success Actual Achievement

To encourage allundergraduate students in theprogram to pursuefurther educationwithin MSET majorsafter completion of anundergraduate degree

75% of undergraduate programparticipants will pursue additionaleducation (such as graduate school)after completion of the NASACSUN/JPL PAIR program and theirundergraduate degree

10 students (out of 22 in Cohort 1)have/will graduate by June 2002.80% of those students have/willcontinue with postbac education.

LIST COURSESSTUDENT ENROLLMENTPAIRCourse/LabSemesterBlackWhiteHispanicAsianOtherMFMFMFMFMF2001-2002Cohort 211335221102000-2001Cohort 10062242411*We do not have any Non-MSET Majors

GRE Preparation lectures and classes GRE preparation books and materials

Graduate school recruitment from UC San Diego, UCLA, and Caltech

travel money for visiting graduate schools