UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Undergraduate Research (URES 197) provides course credit for students who conduct individual or group research as a part of a faculty member’s research project. This guided research experience course is open to all students, including first- and second-year students, who meet the qualifications set by the faculty member in charge of the research project.
The URES 197 course differs from the individual study courses (491/492) offered in all departments. When enrolling in individual study, the expectation is that the student is designing and conducting an independent research project in which the faculty member serves as mentor and guide. Individual studies are most often done by more advanced students (juniors and seniors) who have the necessary background to successfully formulate an individual study project.
In the case of URES 197, the student works on the faculty member’s research project and completes research tasks connected with that project as determined by the faculty member. Students who complete URES 197 will likely develop their own individual study project at a later time, thereby building on the first research experiences.
All URES 197 projects require that students complete a final report about their work on the research project. The nature of this required final report is determined by the faculty member supervising the research project.
When students take URES 197, the course title listed on the transcript will state “Undergraduate Research in” followed by the name of the academic discipline in which the student worked (for example, “Undergraduate Research in Psychology”). URES 197 courses count as elective credits and do not fulfill major requirements.
Undergraduate Research Course Offering
197 – Undergraduate Research (1-3)
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and the Department. An opportunity for students to engage in directed individual research as a part of a faculty member’s research project. This course offers a guided research experience open to all students, particularly first- and second-year students. Variable credit -- requires 3 hours of work on the research project per week per credit hour. May be repeated once. A maximum of 6 credits in URES 197 courses may be counted toward graduation. Some projects may require a minimum grade point average or the prior completion particular courses in order for the student to be eligible to participate.