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Investigate a Question
Undergraduate research refers to an inquiry or investigation by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to academic knowledge. The goal is to engage students in systematic research of actively contested questions. Students in any major or with any career interest can participate in undergraduate research. Research experiences completed for credit can be used to satisfy major, minor, distinction, or general education requirements. To identify undergraduate research opportunities, students can consult with faculty members or Krulak Institute staff. Students typically engage in research in one of three ways: enrolling in a research-based course, contracting an individualized research experience, or participating in a faculty-led summer research opportunity.
Why participate in undergraduate research?
- Contend with ambiguity. Generating knowledge through original research demystifies the process by which scholars address controversy, disagreement, and uncertainty.
- Expand skillset. Research provides a concrete and unique experience to broaden research and writing skills and enhance your resume.
- Explore career and academic goals. Working alongside faculty scholars yields insight into careers and professions and prepares you for graduate or professional school.
- Share work. Research requires dissemination; through an undergraduate research experience, you learn to concisely articulate, publicly advocate for, and defend the results of research.
Interested in learning about the Krulak Institute Poster Expo?
Each fall, the Krulak Institute sponsors a Poster Expo in which students present on their summer experiential learning projects. Students should work with their faculty sponsor to produce a poster for presentation in the Expo. The call for abstracts for the Expo will be announced through Monday Morning and ENGAGE in the late summer and early fall.
How do I engage in research?
Research-Based Course or Project
Complete courses that conduct original research, including community-based research.
Register for research-based courses as part of the regular registration process; courses are designated rise3.
Individualized Research Contract
Contract an individualized research experience in partnership with a faculty sponsor.
Collaborate with faculty and Krulak Institute staff to develop a learning contract; completed contracts are due at registration for the upcoming term.
Summer Research
Join faculty research teams during the summer for credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing experiences.
Contact Krulak Institute staff or your faculty advisor to identify summer opportunities.
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Enroll in a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Project
All students engage in research relevant to the discipline as part of the capstone in the major, and many other courses across the curriculum incorporate systemic research and research strategies into the course design. Course-based undergraduate research projects, however, are courses where students work as a team to conduct original research and systemic investigation using empirical observation and cutting edge-methodologies to answer important and undecided questions. Such research can also include community-based research in which a team of students research a problem for local or regional community agencies.
How do I enroll in a course-based undergraduate research project?
Students should talk with their advisor and with mentors in their area of study to identify course-based undergraduate research opportunities. Krulak Institute staff can also assist. Course-based undergraduate research, including community engagement research, may be indicated by a rise3 designation in Self-Service. Register for these courses as part of the regular registration process.
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Contract an Individualized Research Experience
Students can initiate a contracted, independent study research experience for any academic term. Students might choose this option if they have a specific research question in mind or wish to continue working with a specific faculty member. These projects can be credit-bearing and non-credit bearing.
How do I complete an individualized research contract?
Contact Krulak Institute staff or your faculty advisors and mentors for assistance in writing a research contract proposal. Contracts are due during registration for a given term. Many students contract a research experience for Exploration Term or summer. During the regular terms, students might contract an individualized learning experience rather than a research project, using that time to conduct a thorough literature review for a future research project.
Research conducted in the summer may be eligible for housing support if the student is residing on campus. Details will be announced each spring through Monday Morning and ENGAGE.
Resources for developing a contract are available here
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Summer Research
Faculty, particularly in the natural sciences, recruit students to participate in summer research either as a member of a research team or individual researchers. These research experiences can be credit-bearing and non-credit bearing.
How do I complete an individualized research contract?
Contact Krulak Institute staff or your faculty advisors and mentors for assistance in identifying summer research opportunities. Whether credit-bearing or non-credit-bearing, these projects are designated rise3.
Research conducted in the summer with a faculty member is eligible for housing support if the student is residing on campus. Details will be announced each spring through Monday Morning and ENGAGE.