1. How does OUR define undergraduate research?
  2. How can I learn more about what OUR does?
  3. Who does undergraduate research at UNC?
  4. What are good reasons I can give undergraduates to consider doing research?
  5. How should I refer students who are interested in doing research or in finding out more about research opportunities?
  6. What are departments doing to encourage undergraduate research?
  7. Do you have materials about undergraduate research at UNC that I can read or distribute?
  8. Does the OUR monitor faculty and student involvement in undergraduate research?
  9. Who can I contact in your office if I have a question?

 

  1. How does OUR define undergraduate research?
    At Carolina, we define undergraduate research as mentored, self-directed work that enables individual students or small groups of students to explore an issue of interest to them, and communicate the results to others. The projects involve inquiry, design, investigation, research, scholarship, discovery, application, writing and/or performance to at greater to lesser degree depending on the topic. There is often an immediate connection to a local, national, or international issue, and an increasing appreciation of the value of multidisciplinary approaches.
     
  2. How can I learn more about what OUR does?
    We suggest that you continue to browse this website which we have developed as a resource for advisors, administrators, faculty and students. You may find the following sections particular useful to learn about the programs we offer: For Students and Applications and Deadlines.
     
  3. Who does undergraduate research at UNC?
    We are often asked if any student can do undergraduate research, or only certain students, such as science students or honors students or seniors. Our answer is that ANY student may choose to do undergraduate research. In fact, students in every major and in every year are ALREADY doing undergraduate research. The opportunities are all around and the decisions about how and when to get involved are up to students to make.
     
  4. What are good reasons I can give undergraduates to consider doing research?
    By engaging in undergraduate research, students will learn to apply what they already know to new issues that interest them, and have the opportunity to influence others. Along the way, they are likely to develop new skills, meet others with similar interests, gain confidence, define their own style, deepen their connections to the Carolina community, and use their experiences to help them choose a future career path. Students may also create new works that are appreciated by the campus community and beyond, experience the joys of scholarship and the thrill of discovery, and watch with pride as their ideas are adapted and implemented by others.
     
  5. How should I refer students who are interested in doing research or in finding out more about research opportunities?
    See Getting Started with Undergraduate Research for specific suggestions to offer students who want who are considering research. Also refer students to the Top Ten Questions about Undergraduate Research, or print copies of these resources to give students.
     
  6. What are departments doing to encourage undergraduate research?
    Individual departments have developed a number of compelling ways to highlight undergraduate research and to introduce undergraduates to research opportunities within the department. We recommend that you look at the department websites and see the following pages on Undergraduate Research Opportunities by Department that have been excerpted from the 2007-08 Undergraduate Bulletin.
     
  7. Do you have materials about undergraduate research at UNC that I can read or distribute?
    Yes, see the following printable resources in this website: Information Handouts in this section. See also the Top Ten Questions about Undergraduate Research and How to Get  Started in Research.
     
  8. Does the OUR monitor faculty and student involvement in undergraduate research?
    Yes. Please visit the Resources page and follow the link to view summaries of information that faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences report each year concerning their mentoring of undergraduate projects and theses, publications co-authored by undergraduates, and undergraduate presentations at local and national meetings. You can follow the link to view summaries of undergraduate enrollment in research-intensive courses .
  9. Who can I contact in your office if I have a question?
    For staff contact information, see About OUR. Feel free to call or email us if you have a question.

 

 

WHAT IS UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH?   divider image  TOP 10 QUESTIONS   divider image   GETTING STARTED