Transcript Undergraduate Research Workshop

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
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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
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Villanova University: Undergraduate Research
Grants
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Other Colleges and Universities
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Private Industry
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Museums
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Government Laboratories
ELIGIBILITY
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Can start as early as freshman year (earlier the
better prepared for more complex research in the
following years)
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Depends on the complexity of the research project
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Academics are often taken into consideration
POSSIBLE SUPPORTS FOR UR
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Research Groups: ie. DAAD RISE, NSF REUs, UROP
Research Centers (ie.CURF) or Departmentbased programs
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Internships
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Academic Courses
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Work Study
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Volunteering
SUMMER RESEARCH INITIATIVE 2010
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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
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JEFFERSON 2010 UNDERGRADUATE
RESEARCH PROGRAM
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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)
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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 site
Website: 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
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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.
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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.
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Resource: Villanova Library-Online Journals
SELECTING AN ADVISOR
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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
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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
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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 PROPOSAL
I. 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
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Budget
BET analyzer sample chambers (3), $150 each: $450
replacement heating element for BET analyzer: $800
liquid nitrogen, $10 per sample: $1,500
Subtotal 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.
CHECKLIST
A 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
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Becoming self-aware, self-monitoring and selfcorrecting
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
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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.
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RESOURCES
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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=M
[email protected]
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Villanova Library:
http://library.villanova.edu/Research