Modes of Inquiry course (IDST195)

A one credit pass-fail course open to all students (no prerequisites). Students learn to “host” faculty speakers who will discuss their original work, how they became interested in the field, the methods they use, the satisfaction they derive (and the difficulties they have faced), and how undergraduates can get involved. Students interview faculty prior to the class, and post a background summary on the course website. Students who are engaged in research discuss the value of those experiences and offer advice about getting started and finding a mentor. This course meets one of the requirements of the Carolina Research Scholars Program (CRSP). Faculty are invited to participate by the OUR, and if you are willing to contribute to the class, we would love to hear from you (our@unc.edu).

Research Methods Courses

Many departments offer courses that include training in specific research methodologies. These courses will teach you the methods that scholars in a given discipline use to ask and pursue research questions. Please consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies in your major department if you have specific questions about courses that teach research methods.

Choose... African and Afro-American Studies American Studies Anthropology Applied Sciences and Engineering Art Biology City and Regional Planning Classics Communication Studies Dramatic Art Economics Education English and Comparative Literature Environmental Studies Exercise and Sports Science Folklore Geography Geology History Information and Library Science Journalism and Mass Communication Marine Sciences Nursing Physics and Astronomy Political Science Public Policy Psychology Religious Studies Sociology Statistics and Operations Research Women's Studies

 

Research-Intensive Courses

Every department offers courses in which over half of the course is devoted to students conducting original research and presenting research conclusions. Many of these courses are numbered 195, 295 or 395 (these course numbers are reserved for undergraduate research experiences). You should review the course catalogue to obtain course descriptions and specifics about any prerequisites for these courses, since each department is responsible for their own course offerings. Each semester, most departments also offer other courses which have a substantial research component, but since the amount of time devoted to the research component can change depending on the particular instructor, those courses are not listed here. Questions about specific courses should be addressed to the Director of Undergraduate Studies of the relevant department (in the College), or to the person in charge of undergraduate studies in the professional school that is offering the course.

Following is a partial listing of research intensive courses that you may used toward earning the Carolina Research Scholar designation on your transcript (visit the CRSP page for more information and to register for the program).

Please choose a department/program:

Choose... African and Afro-American Studies American Studies Anthropology Applied Science and Engineering Art History and Studio Art Asian Studies Biochemistry Biology Biostatistics Business Chemistry City and Regional Planning Classics Clinical Laboratory Science Communication Studies Computer Science Dramatic Art Economics Education English and Comparative Literature Environmental Science and Engineering Environmental Studies European Studies Exercise and Sports Science Folklore Geography Geological Sciences Germanic Languages and Literatures Health Policy and Management History Information and Library Science International Studies Journalism and Mass Communication Latin American Studies Linguistics Marine Sciences Mathematics Music Nursing Nutrition Peace, War and Defense Philosophy Physics and Astronomy Physiology Political Science Public Policy Psychology Radiological Science Religious Studies Romance Languages Russian and East European Studies Slavic Languages and Literatures Sociology Speech and Hearing Sciences Statistics and Operations Research Women's Studies

Research-Exposure GRC Courses

Many courses include research experiences, often with a graduate student who serves as a consultant to help you with the research project. These “Graduate Research Consultants” (GRCs) are only there to coach you—they do not grade your work. For course titles and faculty who have taught courses with GRCs, see this list of Research-exposure GRC courses (.pdf).

Request support for your workshop related to student research.

SURF Proposal Development
In this workshop, you will hear from past Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) recipients about how they developed their successful proposals. There will also be a short presentation by the Writing Center on how to develop proposals, and you will have the opportunity to talk with administrators in the OUR about proposal design, and learn more about SURF Peer Advisors who can give you valuable feedback on your proposal prior to your submitting it. This workshop will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 from 5:30-7:00 pm, in the Stone Center Theatre, Room 103.

Presentation Domination
Do you get nervous when others ask you questions or give you feedback on your class or research presentations? Do you use filler words such as “um”, “like”, “kind of”? Have you ever frozen up when in front of others? If so, attend Presentation Domination—an interactive theater event sponsored by the Office for Undergraduate Research. This event will be held Monday, March 28 from 5:30pm to 7pm in 104 Howell Hall. This event is designed to be a helpful, fun and safe way for you to learn how to strengthen your presentation skills. View scripted, but realistic scenes that will help you explore: how to clearly communicate ideas in an impactful and inviting way, how to respond to challenging questions from others, and how to discuss a presenter's work and offer constructive feedback. The audience may voluntarily interact with the characters in each scene. This event is appropriate for all majors, both science and non-science. Please RSVP to mrichard@email.unc.edu with Presentation Domination RSVP in the subject line by Sunday, March 27.

GO! Global Orientation on Culture and Ethics
This workshop is designed for UNC undergraduates conducting research, service-learning or services in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The GO! Initiative is designed to help students evaluate expectations, anticipate potential challenges, prepare for culture shock, and develop intercultural competencies. In addition, GO! provides an avenue for students to network and interact with others traveling to similar areas of the world. Upon their return, students will have the opportunity at a follow-up workshop to discuss their travels as well as strategies to help them cope with the many conflicting thoughts and feelings that resulted from their experience abroad. The workshop will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the FedEx Global Education Center. Pre-registration is required.

Navigating the IRB Process at UNC-Chapel Hill for SURF Recipients
If your research will involve human subjects, then you must obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval before you can conduct your study. This workshop designed specifically for SURF recipients and the workshop facilitator will take you through the steps of the IRB process, explain the rationale behind the questions you need to address, suggest resources, and answer your individual questions. This workshop will be especially useful to students who are doing research or planning to do research in the social sciences, arts and humanities. You'll also have an opportunity to meet other undergraduates who are doing research. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 from 4:30-6:00 in Murphey Hall room 104.

 

• APPLES Community-Based Research Program
  

• Center for Global Initiatives Research Program
  

• Burch Field Research Seminars