There are many benefits to undergraduate students (with appropriate backgrounds) by participating in this REU site. These include: (i) mentoring by research-active faculty specializing in various aspects of networked CPS, (ii) working closely with graduate students working in related areas, (iii) opportunities to learn about NetCPS application areas and further improve upon their research skills, and (iv) a first-hand experience of what it means to be a research scientist. The participants will work on modeling, simulation, and the design of systems and algorithms for various Networked CPS scenarios.

This site builds upon the educational and research strengths in the broad area of computer networking and related areas within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at WSU. The department offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree program in Computer Networking, which is a fairly unique program in the country and offers significant depth and breadth of educational opportunities for students. More then 100 graduate and undergraduate students are enrolled in classes in related areas at any given time. More than 25% of EECS faculty members (in a department of 23 faculty members) conduct research and educational activities in computer networking-related areas, which represents a strong cluster. Affiliated teaching and research laboratories provide students a wealth of opportunity to learn both the theory and practice of computer networks. Graduates of the MSCN program are highly sought after in companies such as Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto Networks, Arista Networks, Amazon, and Brocade.

The Department of EECS also has M.S. programs in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, and a Ph.D. program which closely interrelate with the disciplines addressed by this REU site.