Working with a faculty member can help boost your success after college. Employers and grad schools want to see that you are comfortable working with experts in your field. Many faculty members are working on books or articles. Research is in our mission, and it is deliberately inclusive of students for their benefit. It is important that students recognize that opportunities are variable, and that a student’s ability to be involved in a particular project, work with a specific advisor, or be in a particular lab all depend on the capacity to serve individuals.

Steps:

1. Think about your needs. Talk to your advisor about how you want to augment your experience at UVM. What type of research are you hoping to get involved with?
2. Learn about what happens at UVM. Some departments offer research as part of courses specifically restricted to majors. If your department doesn't do this, take a look at at faculty profiles to get a sense of what kind of research is done, but be aware that web pages become dated very quickly. If you need some tips, your academic advisor is a great resource
3. Have conversations! If you never ask a faculty member about their research, you’re missing out on a key college experience. Faculty are here for students and research. Even if you don’t do research with that person, you will learn something new.
4. Just ask. “Can I do research with you?” is the most important question and it starts the fun part of actually doing the work.

What you'll get

Most seminars (200-level courses) will have a research component built in. Seek out these courses and speak with the professors beforehand about the research possibilities within the topic of the course. Most professors will be pleased to help you explore your area of interest within their course framework. Make sure to look outside of your department for additional opportunities -- i.e. an English major interested in Shakespeare may also seek out a seminar in British history. 

The College Honors program--also known simply as the Honors Thesis-- is designed for superior students with unusual initiative and intellectual curiosity. It provides an opportunity to pursue two semesters (six credits) of independent research under the direction of a faculty sponsor. Students may pursue a thesis or creative project.

CAS Honors College students are required to complete a College Honors Thesis. Students who are not in the Honors College can elect to pursue a College Honors Thesis experience if they meet the miniumum 3.4 GPA requirement. Students who complete a College Honors Thesis will get a notation on their transcript that says "Awarded College Honors." 

Find out more on the College Honors program website. 

"Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality." - Dalai Lama

There are myriad ways to share your research with fellow students, faculty, and community members. Some, like the Student Research Conference, are UVM-wide, and others are forums reserved for your fellow majors. 

Presentation & In-Person Events:

• Student Research Conference
• Performance Opportunities: Dance, Theatre, Music
• Davis Center Art Shows & Exhibits
• English Student Symposium
• Art & Art History Student Symposium (contact department for more information)
• Computer Science Fair
• Lawrence Debate Union

Written Forums:

• The UVM History Review
• The Gist Literary and Visual Arts Journal
• The Cynic
• The Water Tower
• Community News Service
• External Publication Opportunities (Literary Arts)
• Departmental Honors are available in some departments for exemplary papers written in 200-level seminars.