Research Scholars Program

Program Overview

The Undergraduate Research Scholars Program was developed in response to student demand to continue to explore research opportunities following their UROP first year experience. In addition, the program is designed to address the unique concerns of and to provide additional support for students during their second year at the University.

The goals of the Research Scholars Program are to:

• Provide a second year hands-on research experience
• Develop a stronger faculty-student research partnership
• Develop more student independence in the research environment
• Provide students with skills to be academically successful
• Help students to explore and to take advantage of resources and opportunities the University offers
• Provide a framework for exploring careers that involve a research component
• Guide students to consider research internships and Graduate school
• Develop an individual academic plan

Approximately half of the participating Research Scholars select new research projects for the year while the other half chose to continue working with their first year research project. Research Scholars have the same program requirements and components as the main UROP program: bi-monthly research seminars; peer advising, journal and reading assignments, and end of term assignments.

Research Scholars are assigned to an interdisciplinary peer group composed of Research Scholars.  The seminars and individual advising are designed to address academic and research issues students face during their sophomore year. In Fall term, Research Scholars complete an academic plan assignment whereby students assess their undergraduate academic and career aspirations and map out goals and strategies to achieve them.  Scholars are also encouraged to:

• Continue to build a relationship with the faculty sponsor
• Take risks and challenges to enhance learning
• Excel in the research environment
• Work toward publishing research findings
• Develop a research project that could lead to an Honors Thesis
• Present research findings in a national setting*

*e.g. National Conference on Undergraduate Education (NCUR), Posters on the Hill (Council on Undergraduate Research) or national conferences where undergraduate students are able and encouraged to present their research findings.

The Research Scholars Symposium

A symposium featuring poster presentations is held at the end of Winter term to showcase the specific research achievements of Research Scholars. Developing a specific symposium to showcase 2^nd year student work was identified as an important way to emphasize the uniqueness of the program, to provide a smaller framework in which to draw attention to student achievement, and to allow more individual participation.

Eligibility

To be eligible for admission to the Research Scholars Program, students must have:

• completed one full year of UROP
• re-applied to UROP and been accepted to participate for a second year
• second year standing at start of Fall term

Students meeting these initial requirements will be invited to apply to be a Research Scholar.

The Research Scholars application includes several short answer questions to help determine the level of interest the student has in pursuing research, how the research experience with help the student meet personal academic and career goals; how much effort the student will give to the program; and what the student believes he/she can contribute to the program.

Apply

March 1, 2008     Research Scholars Application Available

March 28, 2008   Priority Application Deadline

April  4, 2008      Deadline to Accept Admissions Offer

   
If you think you are eligible and would like to be considered for admission to the program, please contact Ann Sprunger, Assistant Director of UROP and the Coordinator of the Research Scholars Program.