Motivated undergraduate students may tap into the University's research resources and opportunities. UVM researchers bring over $100 million in grants annually and UVM ranks high in the list of colleges and universities surveyed for federal support of research and development. In addition, many students pursue unfunded undergraduate research hosted by individual faculty investigators across the university.
Students find exciting research opportunities through the connections they make with faculty. By working collaboratively with a faculty mentor you will learn about issues and methods in your chosen field as well as learn to apply concepts from your courses to real-life situations. This experience prepares you for future careers, including graduate or professional schools.
Undergraduate research can be conducted during both the academic year and the summer. You should begin by determining your interests and spending some time reading what is available in the colleges and departments at UVM. Take advantage of office hours and speak with professors. Discuss possibilities for research with your academic advisor. If you have an idea of the discipline in which you wish to conduct your research, contact the chair of that department. For further advising, please contact Interim Associate Dean Lisa Schnell.
While many students work directly with faculty members, there are several special programs at UVM designed specifically to encourage and support undergraduate research.
The Honors College has started the Honors College Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) to promote participation by Honors College students in faculty-mentored research projects across all disciplines. Since Honors College students complete a thesis, practicum or creative project in their senior year, this program in particular invites students to apply who need assistance to complete or prepare for these projects. Because of this focus, a typical applicant will be a junior or senior. The Honors College UROP offers grants to students for supplies, travel and other eligible expenses for up to $250 per award. The AY 2007-2008 UROP recipients include:
The URECA! program gives students at the University of Vermont an in-depth research experience. URECA! candidates learn about the challenges of obtaining research funding by preparing a project proposal that is reviewed by a panel of experts. Students whose projects are selected receive research funding and guidance from a faculty mentor, in addition to opportunities for publishing and/or presenting their findings. Participants receive up to $1000 in salary and $3000 in supplies. The AY 2007-2008 URECA! recipients include:
A full listing of award winners can be found at the URECA! Award recipients page.
HELiX is a program for undergraduates in the sciences at the University of Vermont. HELiX strives to encourage students to study science and consider careers in the sciences by involving them in research projects and exposing them to as many opportunities as possible in the sciences. Students are assisted in identifying mentors and research projects in laboratories throughout the University. Participants may receive up to $500 for expenses and supplies during the academic year; summer internships consist of $3500 in salary and $1500 in supplies. The 2007 Summer Internship Recipients include:
A full list of HELiX awards can be found at the HELiX/EPSCoR Summer Internship page.
APLE provides students in the College of Arts and Sciences with opportunities to do research with faculty members, and to get hands-on experience in internships. Science students work in research laboratories both in Arts and Sciences and in the College of Medicine. Other students become involved in the local community through internships and service learning projects, and still others follow their interests far from the University of Vermont both in the United States and abroad. Funding is available on a competitive basis for research and creative projects. APLE summer stipends provide a summer salary of $3000; there are also $500 APLE awards to support expe nses in undergraduate research and creative activities.
The Suiter Travel Awards are designed to help defray the cost of attending conferences, seminars or workshops for undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Suiter Award provides up to six $300 stipends each year, with an additional $150 from the College of Arts and Sciences added to each award. Awards are made based upon merit; award decisions are made by a faculty committee.
The Vermont Space Grant Consortium/NASA EPSCoR supports several URECA projects each year and offers small-scale grants to support undergraduate students working with College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences faculty during the summer.
The McNair Scholars program works with qualified undergraduates to increase the number of first-generation, limited income and underrepresented minority students who wish to earn a doctorate. The program provides students with critical academic, research and professional experience. McNair Scholars are matched with faculty mentors and provided with opportunities for summer research internships and academic-year research experiences. In addition to academic advising and career counseling, McNair Scholars are trained in research methods and skill-building to make them competitive at the graduate level.
The CPAR Network is an alliance of UVM affiliates with local, national and international partners who seek to support and advance participatory action research conducted in partnership with, and for the benefit of, the larger community.
Last modified March 25 2009 03:03 PM
