Research

Student working in iNPSIRE and CASEE Labs

Our students and faculty envision a better future AND they build it!

At most universities, new students are unable to participate in research projects until graduate school. But Detroit Mercy is different. As early as your freshman year, you’ll take a deep dive into compelling, ground-breaking research. As a Detroit Mercy undergraduate, you will:

  • Work one-on-one with faculty members and in small teams
  • Build skills and and experience for your resume
  • Develop relationships and receive mentorship by faculty members
  • Author scientific publications
  • Receive a competitive advantage for professional school admission or employment.

Dive in to research your freshman year

Freshmen science students can expect a research experience in their first semester. For example, students in the SEA-PHAGE Laboratory are part of a national consortium to isolate and characterize new bacteriophage.

Or you might participate in our Research in Chemistry Experience. This program is ideal for incoming freshmen (Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology or Science Undecided majors).

Dozens of research opportunities await you

Our students:

  • Design more efficient, safer vehicles using metal foam,
  • Discover new ways to make biodiesel,
  • Clean the environment with proteins that bind to heavy metals,
  • Study the chemistry of aging,
  • Work on hydrogen fuel cells, and
  • Determine what makes transit systems effective.

Annual Research Symposium

To highlight and promote research undertaken by undergraduate and graduate students, the College of Engineering & Science hosts an annual symposium each year. Hundreds of corporate partners, faculty, staff and the community attend this symposium to learn what our students are doing to change the world!

Earthquake research

Detroit Mercy focuses on design for seismic (earthquake) loadings for structures located around the world.

Enabling Technology

Enabling or Assistive Technologies are engineering innovations that help persons with disabilities. As an undergraduate, you could enhance someone’s life by solving a real-world problem while learning at the same time.

ReBUILDetroit

REBUILDetroit offers intensive training for students interested in pursuing academic, research or industry careers in biomedical, behavioral, clinical or social sciences.

I-RISE with U-RISE

I-RISE with U-RISE aims to train a diverse group of undergraduate students so that they may go on to pursue postgraduate education and careers in biomedical sciences by integrating research training, authentic research experiences, and intensive student success initiatives throughout students’ undergraduate careers.

Senior Capstone Projects

During your senior year at Detroit Mercy, you'll work on a real-world capstone project. A capstone project is a tangible, challenging project, provided by professional engineers, that is designed to have a positive impact on the world. 

Transit research

Detroit Mercy's cross-disciplinary engineering team researches aspects of transportation including energy efficiency, economic and health impacts.

Facilities & Equipment

Our facilities and laboratories are world-class.  Our exciting laboratories are dedicated to educate industry-ready engineers and scientists for exciting careers.

Students working at a lab table

William L. Koyzra Center for Automotive Systems Engineering Education

The  5,200-square-foot William L. Koyzra Center for Automotive Systems Engineering Education (CASEE) is designed to foster student teamwork on collaborative projects including competitive vehicle design, robotics and autonomous vehicle development.

More about CASEE Lab

bio student piping something

iNSPIRE Lab Learning Center

The iNSPIRE Lab Learning Center serves as a nexus for creative activity, mentoring and undergraduate research.

 

More about iNSPIRE Lab

two students reviewing a robotic machine

Robotics / Advanced Mobility Laboratory (AML) 

The Advanced Mobility Laboratory (AML) at University of Detroit Mercy is a facility dedicated to graduate and undergraduate research in intelligent mobile robotics and unmanned vehicles.

More about AML

When working in any laboratory, your safety is our main concern.