UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH WORKSHOP

The Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships

West Lounge, Dougherty Hall

December 8, 2009

WHAT IS UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH(UR)?

Research is more broadly defined than most realize. It's generally understood that biology majors working in labs "do research." But so do psychology majors interning at hospitals, English majors plowing through archival documents, business majors examining market trends, and communications majors analyzing broadcast television. Any academic interest holds potential for research.

THE BENEFITS OF UR

Gathering and creating new knowledge, learning the methods of your field, exploring new ways of thinking, and entering your field's professional dialogue.

Strengthens candidacy for scholarships, fellowships, employment, and graduate school

Lifelong professional and academic connections

FINDING UR OPPORTUNITIES

Villanova University: Undergraduate Research Grants

Other Colleges and Universities

Private Industry

Museums

Government Laboratories

ELIGIBILITY

Can start as early as freshman year (earlier the better prepared for more complex research in the following years)

Depends on the complexity of the research project

Academics are often taken into consideration

POSSIBLE SUPPORTS FOR UR Research Groups: ie. DAAD RISE, NSF REUs, UROP

Research Centers (ie.CURF) or Department-based programs

Internships

Academic Courses

Work Study

Volunteering

SUMMER RESEARCH INITIATIVE 2010

A research opportunity at the University of Maryland, College Park intended for undergraduate students

Geared at rising juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing a doctorate in the social, behavioral and economic sciences immediately following the completion of the Bachelors degree.

All students are eligible; however, under-represented populations are encouraged to apply (i.e. African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, or other Pacific Islanders).

The application deadline is February 12, 2010.

German Academic Exchange Program: Research Internships in Science &

Engineering (RISE ) Summer internship program for undergraduate

students in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences and engineering.

Work with research groups at universities and top research institutions across Germany.

Matched with doctoral students whom interns assist and who serve as their mentors. The working language will be English.

All applications have to be submitted by

January 31, 2010 online!

Website: http://www.daad.de/rise/en/11638/index.html

JEFFERSON 2010 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

PROGRAM The College of Graduate Studies is sponsoring a

number of summer positions through which upper-level undergraduate students who have completed their junior year will have the opportunity to work in the laboratories of  faculty as members of their research team.

Research Program Options Include (click on title for more information): Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cell % Developmental Biology, Genetics, Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis, Molecular Pharmacology & Structural Biology, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Neuroscience, and Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine.

Application filing deadline: February 1, 2009

National Science Foundation: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REUs)

Supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation.

Projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program.

Deadlines vary at each REU siteWebsite: http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

PROGRAM IN GERMANY (UROP)

Fosters research partnerships between qualified undergraduate students and professional researchers at RWTH Aachen University, one of the top academic institutions of science and engineering in Germany and worldwide.

No prior knowledge of Germany is required. Program dates are May 25th- July 31st, 2009.Application Deadline: January 31st, 2010

Website: www.rwth-aachen.de/urop

CHOOSING A RESEARCH TOPIC

What fields of research interest you? Consider your academic background (course

work completed, grades in relevant courses), and the relevance of the topic to your ultimate career goals.

Be careful however not to equate your lack of experience with an inability to participate in a specific area of research. Ultimately, it will be your advisor's responsibility to decide whether or not you have enough background to carry out a project in his/her laboratory.

RESEARCH TOPIC /PROPOSAL

As you begin to do research it is important to spend quality time researching and reading the relevant research in your field.

The majorityof the information you need is published in the form of technical articles rather than textbooks.

Knowing the literature that exists on your topic will help you formulate a research question and proposal.

Resource: Villanova Library-Online Journals

SELECTING AN ADVISOR

What research experience does the advisor have in your area of interest?

Has the advisor worked with undergraduates before? What is the advisor's communication style? How often does the advisor expect you to communicate

with him/her? Will the advisor be available on a regular basis to provide

guidance and support? Does the advisor seem genuinely interested in you as a

student? What resources like space, equipment, and

instrumentation does he/she have available for your projects?

What is the advisor's publication history with undergraduates?

Does the advisor take undergraduates to meetings and conferences to present their work? Does he/she provide support for these kinds of experiences?

SELECTING A RESEARCH GROUP/PROJECT

How many months/weeks/hours are required for this project?

What form of compensation are available? What is the source of funding (industrial, federal, etc.)?

What will your specific role be on the project? Who will be your immediate supervisor on the project? What training can you expect to receive? What skills can you expect to develop over the

course of your participation in this project? With what instrumentation will you gain experience?

How will your progress be measured on the project? Are there any regular group activities that you will be

expected to attend? Will your research be likely to result in publication

and/or presentation of this work? If so, what are the advisor’s rules for authorship?

CURF RESEARCH APPLICATION PROCESS: BASIC CRITERIA

Full-time undergraduates during the period of their funded activities.

Research projects associated with academic course credit are not eligible for funding

Collaboration between faculty and student researchers is encouraged, but student authorship within the project must be the core element

RESEARCH PROPOSALI. Project Description. Describe the purpose of your project providing

appropriate background information. Be as succinct as possible. Include hypotheses/arguments, references to relevant literature (be sure to include “Literature Cited” or a bibliography at the end), and the significance of your research.  

II. Methods. Describe as specifically as possible the methods you will employ to accomplish your project’s goals. In addition to specifying the manner in which you will collect your data, include the approach you will take to analyze data.

III. Final Product. Describe the intended results of your project, and the venue within which your scholarship will be disseminated.

IV. Schedule. Provide a specific timetable for implementing the various steps of your research project.

V. Short Personal Statement. Provide evidence through your coursework, extracurricular activities, or other experiences that you have the background necessary to accomplish this project. Any inconsistencies or gaps in your academic record should be explained here. You should also describe here how this research is important to you – academically, personally, and/or professionally.

VI. Budget. Provide a budget outline for expected costs. Include any additional funding sources and amounts associated with your proposed research project.).

BUDGET GUIDELINES The stipend amount will be $3500 for summer grants (typically 10 weeks,

40 hours per week) and $1000 for fall and spring grants (typically 14 weeks, 10 hours per week). A budget cap of $2,000 will be available for Research Project Expenses.

The following categories are the most commonly used in budget requests:    i. Personnel - Briefly specify the duties to be compensated under this project, and the approximate amount of time, such as hours or percentage of time    ii. Travel - Foreign travel should be specifically detailed and justified, not combined with domestic travel, and the need to travel to professional meetings should be tied specifically to the proposed project.    iii. Equipment - Indicate the estimated unit cost for each item to be purchased, and briefly justify the need for items of equipment to be purchased.    iv. Materials and Supplies - Itemize materials and supplies by nature of expense. Provide the basis for cost estimates or computations (e.g., vendor quotes, prior purchase of similar or like items, etc.)    v. Other

SAMPLE BUDGET Budget

BET analyzer sample chambers (3), $150 each: $450replacement heating element for BET analyzer: $800liquid nitrogen, $10 per sample: $1,500Subtotal Equipment and Supplies: $2,750 Travel to ASCE National Conference: $750

Budget Justification.The present BET sample chambers are too small for my samples and three larger ones need to be made by a glass blower. The quoted price is $150 each. Each run requires 2 liters of liquid nitrogen. Cost of replacing one heating element is anticipated The results of this research will be presented at the student poster competition at the national conference of the ASCE.

CHECKLISTA completed application consists of the following:

1. ____ Application Form (online - vu username and password required)

2. ____ A Resume 3. ____ Research Proposal

4. ____ Transcript(s)

5. ____ Faculty Sponsor Endorsement (online): Your faculty sponsor should address your academic potential and your ability to successfully complete the proposed project.

COMPLETED APPLICATIONS ARE DUE February 26, 2010

LEARNING TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY

Becoming self-aware, self-monitoring and self-correcting

Taking the initiative rather than waiting to be told what to do

Doing what is asked to the best of your ability, without the need for external prodding, and working until the job is completed

Learning to work at a pace that you can sustain Taking ownership of your mistakes without

looking for excuses Refusing to let self-doubt or negative emotions

due to negative past experiences take you off course.

Self-awareness, Self-motivation, and Self-regulation.

BUILDING GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADVISORS

Meet frequently and regularly with your research advisor.

Don't avoid speaking with your advisor because you are afraid that you are “bothering" them too much.

Your advisor expects you to have many questions and to need more assistance at the start of your project.

He/she will likely want to meet regularly with you when you first start your project to give you his/her undivided attention.

Arrive on-time and prepared to discuss your progress/findings. Bring your research materials with you and be prepared to open the discussion with a summary of your recent activities and accomplishments.

BE PROFESSIONAL

Let your advisor know your schedule, any difficult classes you may be taking, any health concerns, and any other information that might help them to understand you, your abilities, and time constraints on your availability in the lab.

Keep your conversations professional. Make sure that your advisor knows your

career goals and interests. He/she may know of certain programs and/or other opportunities for which you may qualify.

RESOURCES Web Guru: A Guide to Research for

Undergraduates: http://www.webguru.neu.edu/index.php

CURF: Undergraduate Research Grants: http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/college/academics/

curf/

Director of Grant Development: Melanie Vile, PhD.http://www.villanova.edu/artsci/college/facstaff/?

mail=Melanie.Vile@villanova.edu

Villanova Library: http://library.villanova.edu/Research