Interested in the Research Option?
While specific requirements vary by school, students completing the option are required to plan a research project with their faculty mentor and submit a proposal for that project, which becomes the research to be discussed in their thesis. Proposals are ideally completed in the first or second semester of research and should follow specific guidelines. The student should not only discuss the background and purpose of the research, but provide a set of target goals for the work to be completed.
Proposals should be approved by not only the student’s faculty mentor, but by the school in which the Research Option is being obtained. Ideally, at this point, the student and faculty mentor should choose the required second reader of the thesis and have them involved in the project during its final semester, if not earlier.
We encourage students to begin discussing the Research Option with their schools and advisors as soon as possible in order to plan accordingly for the requirements. Students may decide to pursue the Research Option after having already completed several hours of research, however, we strongly suggest that you do not wait until your last semester to make this decision.
Intention to Complete Degree Option
Students should signify their intent to pursue the Research Option as soon as possible by completing the online intent form. Each school has different requirements related to initial participation, so students should also check with their school concerning school-specific procedures and possible forms.
To notify your school and the UROP office that you plan to participate in the Research Option, click here.
Student Timeline and Checklist
Interdisciplinary and Multi-disciplinary Projects
Students may plan to work on projects which are either multi-disciplinary in nature or are in areas outside their declared degree major. There are two ways in which to participate:
- Complete the Research Option in a School Outside your degree – students may complete the research option in any school which offers it, provided that the school approves the student’s participation and research proposal, and the student is able to find a faculty mentor within that school. Contact the Undergraduate Coordinator within the school that you are interested in participating in the option.
- Develop a multi-disciplinary project – students may, with the assistance of a faculty mentor or possibly a co-mentor from another school, create a project which is multi-disciplinary in nature. Such proposals must be approved by the Undergraduate Research Advisory Group (URAG). For additional information on how to submit such a proposal, please contact the Dr. Karen Harwell, Director, Undergraduate Research.
For additional details on requirements, please read the memo to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee clarifying the subject.